Hybrid Internal Applicants Only - Technician at Cardiff University
Cardiff University · Cardiff, United Kingdom · Hybrid
- Junior
- Office in Cardiff
Advert
Internal Applicants Only - Technician
Division of Cancer and Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
The Wales Cancer Biobank (based within the School of Medicine, Cardiff University) wishes to appoint a technician in the University Hospital of Wales, to support the collection, processing, storage and issuing of biosamples. The postholder will be handling and processing human tissue, blood and urine samples and good laboratory skills and previous experience with biosamples are required. The postholder must be able to work on their own initiative, unsupervised, work to deadlines and have the ability to plan and organise their own workload. Attention to detail and accuracy are vital for data entry and sample labelling and good communication skills are necessary to liaise with hospital pathology departments, theatre staff and other members of the Wales Cancer Bank team.
The post-holder may be required to apply some flexibility to working hours when required (e.g. to facilitate ad-hoc late collection of samples).
The role sits within the Division of Cancer & Genetics and based on the Heath Park campus.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40 days annual leave (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Lisa Spary – [email protected]
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term to 28 February 2027 and available immediately.
Salary: £24,900 - £25,733 per annum (Grade 3). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Closing date: Friday, 15 August 2025
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job Description
To provide professional technical support to the Wales Cancer Biobank within the Directorate/School.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Duties
• Facilitate the collection, processing, storage, monitoring and transportation of human tissue and blood samples for the Wales Cancer Biobank, with a focus on supporting the haematology collection
• Ensuring compliance with the Human Tissue Act for all samples
• Liaise with consenting staff, clinical staff and researchers to facilitate routine sample collection and transfer
• Liaise with haematology Clinical Trials staff to facilitate sample processing and monitoring
• Prepare all materials and equipment as necessary and ensure the laboratory areas are kept clean and tidy
• Undertake stock control, ensuring adequate security and levels of stock are maintained and stock is distributed as required
• Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures with the ability to identify and document deviations from SOP, errors or adverse events, escalating to the relevant team where appropriate
• Deal with routine enquiries from internal and external customers in a professional manner, following established procedures, referring complex enquires to relevant staff members, ensuring all relevant facts and information needed is recorded and passed on
• Assist in the maintenance of routine records, updating databases and analysing routine data/information as required
• Assist with planning and managing small projects ensuring the effective use of resources
• Participate actively within the work team, setting an example and showing a flexible approach to delivering team results
• Assist with audit preparation for internal and external audits or inspections
General Duties
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role
Salary Range Max.
Grade
Salary Range Min.
Job Category
Additional Information
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:
1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring scheme
IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.
Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 20545BR.
If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.
Career Pathway
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education
1. NVQ 2/GCSE level A-C or equivalent qualification/work related experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Significant experience of working in a technical role with human biosamples – ideally within a haematology setting and/or histology, biobanking or research setting
3. Experience of working with confidential/sensitive data, with particular attention to detail and accuracy being vital for data entry and sample labelling
4. Proficient in the use of appropriate IT packages (Word, Excel)
Customer Service, Communication and Team Working
5. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
6. Evidence of working well as an effective team member, providing advice and guidance to other team members where necessary
7. Ability to deal promptly, effectively and courteously with requests for information or service
Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving
8. Ability to use initiative in solving problems and responding to queries ensuring compliance with standard procedures and practices
9. Ability to work on own initiative and unsupervised to deadlines, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work, as well as managing small projects as appropriate
Other
10. A willingness to undertake further training and development
Desirable Criteria
1. Haematology sample processing skills
2. A-levels or an equivalent qualification or equivalent work-related experience
3. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
4. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral