Fermentation Facility Technician

Grade UE06: 34610 - 39906 per annum

School of Chemistry / CSE / University of Edinburgh

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: for 12 months(Post available from 1^st April 2026)

The Opportunity:

Turn fermentation knowhow into realworld impact. Were seeking a technician to keep our Fermentation Facility running at peak performance and help deliver breakthrough research in the fermentation of exopolysaccharides.

Why join us

• Play a key technical role in a vibrant researchactive facility.
• Work directly with benchscale bioreactors sensors and associated analytics.
• Collaborate with academic teams and industrial partners on milestonedriven projects.
• Shape robust methods and standards that enable reliable reproducible science.

The role

You will:

• Operate and maintain the Fermentation Facility to defined technical and safety standards (calibration preventative maintenance housekeeping stock control documentation).
• Develop optimise and document reproducible technical methods and analytical workflows for exopolysaccharide bioproduction and characterisation; analyse data and prepare concise technical summaries.
• Install commission and verify new/updated instrumentation (bioreactors sensors peripherals); coordinate with suppliers Estates and IT; draft SOPs and verification checks.
• Train guide and provide daytoday technical supervision to users; set and monitor technical standards and good recordkeeping.
• Liaise with the PI sponsor and industrial partners; contribute technical input on feasibility scheduling and risk; support technology transfer.
• Maintain accurate auditable records (ELN/LIMS as applicable); contribute to continuous improvement of facility processes.

View the full job description HERE

About you (Essential)

• HNC/HND (or equivalent) in Chemistry Biochemistry Chemical Engineering Biotechnology or related field with relevant technical experience; or a relevant degree with directly relevant experience.
• Proven handson experience with benchscale bioreactors/fermenters and process control (pH DO agitation temperature feeds).
• Experience implementing/following SOPs completing equipment logs and maintaining auditable technical records.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques relevant to fermentation monitoring and polysaccharide characterisation (e.g. spectroscopy chromatography viscosity/rheology) with ability to interpret and present results accurately.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for equipment sensors and process issues.
• Solid knowledge of laboratory H&S (COSHH risk assessment waste management biosafety).
• Effective communicator with the ability to train and supervise users; good time management; computer literate (instrument software data analysis electronic records).

Desirable

• Exopolysaccharide fermentation and downstream characterisation (e.g. SEC/GPC NMR MS DLS rheology).
• Experience commissioning/verifying scientific instrumentation and liaising with vendors/service providers.
• Process development/optimisation (e.g. DoE) QA/GLP or ISOaligned environments.
• Understanding of GMO/biosafety regulations; experience supporting industry collaborations/technology transfer.

How to apply

Apply via the University of Edinburgh online recruitment system with:

• A CV; and
• A cover letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria.

Line manager: Professor Colin Pulham

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting positive creative challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits including generous annual leave entitlement a defined benefits pension scheme a wide range of staff discounts family-friendly initiatives and flexible work options. Check out the full list on ourstaff benefits pageand use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions actively promoting LGBT equality.

We value equality diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who can help us foster a safe supportive and collaborative research environment.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on ourright to work webpages.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is16^th February 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews are expected to be held between26^th February and 4^th March 2026.