North Bristol NHS Trust

Phage Research Assistant

The closing date is 08 June 2025

Job summary

The microbiology research team at North Bristol NHS Trust are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated full time Research Assistant to work within the phage project team at the antibiotic research laboratory to assist the team with contract-based research.

The ideal candidate will be reliable, honest, organised, flexible with working hours and keen to learn and be able to follow instructions and procedures.

They must be able to work effectively as part of a small team, as well as being able to work independently. Excellent communication skills and data entry skills are required and the candidate must have good manual dexterity.

The post holder will need to have met the requirements as listed in the person specification.

North Bristol NHS Trust recognises the need to invest in our research staff and is dedicated to their training and development.

1 x substantive position, full time (37.50) hours per week.

To learn more about working at NBT, watch our video.

Main duties of the job

  • To undertake data entry and associated clerical duties including input and retrieval of data from Department and other IT systems.
  • To undertake routine maintenance and diagnostic checks on specialist equipment.
  • To assistant in the procurement, provision and management of laboratory supplies.
  • Carry out data collection as appropriate using computer packages. To collect identify, store and prepare bacterial isolates and associated documentation for internal projects and, national and international surveillance studies.
  • To liaise with national and international couriers for transporting bacterial cultures.
  • To prepare isolates for storage at -70 C and to maintain the associated database.
  • To prepare and maintain stocks of bottled media and reagents for specialist research projects.
  • Dismantle and reassemble in vitro models for autoclaving.
  • To collect samples from in vitro models and perform viable counts using the spiral plater.
  • To maintain safe and efficient standards of work, following codes of practice.
  • To participate in staff appraisal according to Trust policies and procedures.

About us

  • Daily regular movement between geographically separate sections of the laboratory required, transporting equipment, consumables and samples
  • Manual handling including lifting heavy objects and waste bags on a regular (daily) basis
  • Daily requirement to wear personal protective equipment e.g. gloves, goggles, etc. as supplied.
  • Daily exposure to pathogenic bacteria
  • Occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals and UV light, blood and other body fluids/tissues including potential Regular use of equipment that can expose the worker to very low temperatures -80C freezers
  • Daily requirement to concentrate for long periods at technically demanding procedure.
  • Frequent extended periods of computers required for data analysis and input
  • Performance of repetitive tasks required
  • The post-holder may be required to work alone and /or out of hours

Details

Date posted

28 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-CCS7880-RUH

Job locations

Southmead Hospital, Pathology Science Building

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To work as part of team, supporting senior scientists participating in the provision of high quality pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (pK/pD) analytical services, as provided through the (pK/pD) laboratory for the phage research projects To support staff in the day-to-day performance of antimicrobial research methodologies including MICs and phage propogation To undertake data entry and associated clerical duties To assist in the procurement, provision and management of laboratory supplies. To undertake routine maintenance and diagnostic checks on specialist equipment

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To work as part of team, supporting senior scientists participating in the provision of high quality pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (pK/pD) analytical services, as provided through the (pK/pD) laboratory for the phage research projects To support staff in the day-to-day performance of antimicrobial research methodologies including MICs and phage propogation To undertake data entry and associated clerical duties To assist in the procurement, provision and management of laboratory supplies. To undertake routine maintenance and diagnostic checks on specialist equipment

Person Specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 2 AFC, GSCE or equivalent in Maths and English

Work Experience

Desirable

  • Practical laboratory experience in microbiology

Work Experience

Desirable

  • Awareness of practices/procedures relating to GCP/GCLP/GLP standards

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills, approachable and honest

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good communication skills both verbal, written and telephone

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Able to work accurately with minimal supervision

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Data entry skills

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Manual dexterity skills

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good organisational and interpersonal skills

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Effective team worker with a flexible approach to working hours

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Good manual dexterity

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Ability to show initiative

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Willingness to learn new techniques
Person Specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 2 AFC, GSCE or equivalent in Maths and English

Work Experience

Desirable

  • Practical laboratory experience in microbiology

Work Experience

Desirable

  • Awareness of practices/procedures relating to GCP/GCLP/GLP standards

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills, approachable and honest

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good communication skills both verbal, written and telephone

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Able to work accurately with minimal supervision

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Data entry skills

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Manual dexterity skills

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Good organisational and interpersonal skills

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Effective team worker with a flexible approach to working hours

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Good manual dexterity

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Ability to show initiative

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential

  • Willingness to learn new techniques

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Southmead Hospital, Pathology Science Building

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

Southmead Hospital, Pathology Science Building

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Research Scientist

Pippa Griffin

Pippa.griffin@nbt.nhs.uk

01174146287

Details

Date posted

28 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-CCS7880-RUH

Job locations

Southmead Hospital, Pathology Science Building

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Supporting documents

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