Summary
The Genomics Specialist will be responsible on several genomic technologies with the main priority focused on providing a full 10X single cell genomics service, as part of the Genomics Birmingham team. This will include using advanced bench-based skills to process single-cells and nuclei on the single-cell platforms, performing next generation library preparation, and subsequent sequencing on Illumina NGS or Oxford Nanopore platforms, to study translational and immune profiling as well as providing specialist advice to customers, and managing the delivery of results and co-ordination of similar activities across the College.
The post will be pivotal in ensuring a high level of genomics service provision. The successful candidate will incorporate new technological developments as they become available which will require skills in continuous optimizing, improving, and implementing of new workflows in single-cell biology.
The post holder will need to develop constructive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (both internal and external) and use project management skills to coordinate projects from initial plans to delivery, including quotation provision, communicating during the assay process as needed, and seeing the workflow through to data delivery and analysis advice, plus reporting and invoicing.
The successful candidate will supervise and mentor support staff and ensure compliance with local standard operating procedures, and all Health and Safety policies.
Main Duties
Provide a professional specialist service for Genomics Birmingham which will include:
Provide expert advice for internal and external customers wishing to use the 10x single cell technology. Offer assistance and guidance in establishing customer requirements, resolving high level problems with specific techniques/applications, answering queries, and providing quotes for the use of the service.
Providing a full 10X single cell genomics service, including the management of the prioritisation, allocation, and quality of work, using advanced bench-based skills to process single-cells and nuclei on the single-cell platforms, performing next generation library preparation, and subsequent sequencing on Illumina NGS or Oxford Nanopore platforms.
Providing professional specialist feedback on results to users, identifying and advising on enhancements to procedures/protocols which may elicit improvements in data.
Develop cutting edge services and systems to anticipate and meet costumers needs.
Ensuring the service always operates in an effective and efficient manner and the equipment is maintained, serviced, and calibrated to run to optimal parameters.
Organising and attending, together with the Research Facilities Manager/Technical Lead, user group meetings to review new technology and developments in the field as well as explaining the usage and capabilities of current instruments.
Coordinating in the organisation and delivery of Continuous Professional Development by and for internal and external stakeholders.
Supporting academic colleagues in the delivery of teaching and demonstrations about 10x single cell technology to students as required.
Managing IT systems administration, with operations including file transfer, scheduled back-ups and long-term archiving of data.
Health and Safety Management
Responsible for ensuring all facility users, working within the area of responsibility, comply with all University/College Health & Safety policies. This will include compliance by all staff with current rules governing work with COSHH, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), biological samples, human tissue etc. and ensuring all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with Health and Safety procedures to the Research Facilities Manager and/or College Health and Safety Manager.
Ensuring the correct waste disposal protocols are complied with for laboratory, recycled and general waste.
Proactively assisting with the implementation of carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
Carrying out regular maintenance processes as appropriate and ensuring records are maintained.
Facilities Management
Using the Stratocore management system to control and monitor users’ training records and access to equipment, reviewing information to ensure its accuracy and identify future planning requirements.
Using Stratocore to monitor equipment usage to meet future planning requirements.
Assist in the development and upkeep of the Genomics Birmingham section of the Facilities/Technology Hub websites.
Managing consumables orders linked to each project. If necessary, generating purchase order requisitions for the College finance office or via the web-based ordering system.
Receiving and correctly storing consumables and chemical reagents.
Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional, and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
Assisting the Research Facilities Manager in identifying and tracking items held on the University Asset Register.
Finance, procurement and purchasing - you will manage the Facilities budget which will include:
day to day management of the Facilities budget, monitoring spend, identifying any issues with orders, invoices and/or suppliers and taking the appropriate corrective action on own initiative;
ensuring all financial rules and procedures are followed;
assisting the Research Facilities Manager, with quoting, invoicing and recharging users for access to equipment and services.
People Management - managing collaboration across Facilities and any allocated temporary resource, including:
ensuring (working with your manager) that the goals and objectives which are set for staff support the development and delivery of a quality, customer-focussed service;
prioritising and allocating work to meet day to day needs; and future planning across different projects;
checking on quality of work and customer feedback;
undertaking supportive interventions where staff are not meeting objectives.
General
representing the team as required at a variety of College and University meetings;
acting as a main contact for emergency call outs;
developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of colleagues internal and external to the College, including contractors and suppliers;
promoting equality and valuing diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture;
supporting the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working;
any other duties commensurate with the grade.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) or relevant technical qualifications and considerable relevant experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
In depth up to date understanding and experience and evidenced success processing single cell genomics technologies (especially 10X).
Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work and Good Laboratory Practice by experience or by formal qualification.
Proven ability to develop constructive working relationships across a range of stakeholders.
Proven ability to progress several initiatives concurrently and to plan effectively over short and long time scales.
Proven ability to work independently but function as part of a team.
Ability to data mine equipment usage information to provide strategic input to service provision.
Ability to conceptualise user requirements and interpret data.
Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of users and stakeholders.
Knowledge of current relevant Health and Safety policies.
Proficiency in commonly used software and in-depth knowledge of relevant genomics 10x related software.
Evidence of literacy and numeracy.
Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Role context
Roles at this level will require in-depth specialist technical/specialist/IT expertise. Role holders may have supervisory responsibility for a technical service or team, where the primary focus will be on planning, overseeing and reviewing the work of the team and/or will operate as individual technical, specialist or IT experts either supporting service delivery or contributing directly to local project implementation or problem solving through the provision of specialist support activity.
Core competencies/transferable skills
Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.
Planning and Organising
be responsible for the provision of a technical service through the day-to- day organisation and technical supervision of a work area;
manage the prioritisation, allocation and quality of work, developing the technical capability in the area;
manage a combination of technical and (where required) non-technical staff;
progress several initiatives concurrently and to plan effectively;
contribute to developments of the service and in policies, procedures and plans in own area;
ensure compliance with all legal, health and safety standards as applicable;
lead, if required, on project work.
and/or
advise on the development and application of specialist techniques/experiments and/or procedures and the analysis and interpretation of results (may run an advanced specialist service);
act as a recognised source of technical and/or specialist expertise in own area;
generate original ideas and innovative solutions and/or new techniques/experimental designs.
Problem Solving and decision making
resolve high level problems with specific techniques/applications, or in the implementation of services and technical support;
provide specialist advice and recommendations to support decision–making of others;
respond to changing priorities and differing situations.
Organisational understanding
understand their own and closely-related working areas and how they contribute to the success of the University.
has an understanding of how the University operates; actively seeks to share this knowledge with others.
developing empathy with the academic endeavour.
Relationships and communication
develop excellent working relationships with colleagues and customers, proactively anticipating customer requirements in order to understand and deliver them.
