Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician

Role Title:Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician

Grade and Salary:Grade 5 26707 - 31236 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week); Fixed-term (35 months)

Reward and Benefits:28 days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About our Team

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) to accelerate the commercialisation of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland the UK and Scale-Up Centre (FlexBio) based at Heriot Watt University (HWU) supports industry and academia allowing themthe opportunity to execute scale-up studies usingstate of the artfermentation and downstream processing equipment.

Hosted within the Institute of Biological Chemistry Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3)FlexBioprovides clients withaccess toexpertiseand equipment to carry out semi-pilot scale fermentation and downstream microbial culture at scales up to 300 litres along with a variety of downstream processing techniques for cell and molecule separation. These methods areusedinthe production of bio-based products forvariousindustrial biotechnologymarket segments and include whole cellsas well as enzyme peptide and smallmolecule-derived products.

Many of our industry client work within the exciting areas of biotechnology such as marineagriceuticals biomass carbon capturebiomaterialsand food all helping to deliver the national biotechnology plan and working towards more about what we do: of Role

FlexBIOisseekinga motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our dynamic team specialisingin fermentation and cell culture scale-upand downstream processing. The facility features advanced bioreactors and fermenters ranging from 2L to 300L alongside complementary downstream processing equipment to support innovative bioprocessing solutionsdevelopmentfor external clients and academics.

This role is essential tomaintaininga high standard of laboratory operation and efficiency. The Lab Technician will play a key role in supporting daily technical tasks from preparing andmaintainingequipment to performing routine cleaning and maintenanceinventory controlandpurchasingofconsumablesandassistingin trainingand facility records upkeep. The position requires a proactiveand competentindividual with strong organisational skills attention to detailand the ability to work well with all team members across various functions.

Therole holder will be line managed by theUpstream BioprocessingManager.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Support

• Assistin the setup calibration operation and monitoring of bioreactors fermenters and associated downstream processing equipment.
• Supportteam with project operationsand troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with seniorscientistsand scientists.
• Aid in the preparation and sterile handling of cultures and media for fermentation and cell culture processes.
• Aid in the preparation of buffers and reagents for downstream processes and upstream sample analysis.
• Performroutinecleaning operations on equipment and ensure this is conducted in compliance with local health and safety procedures

Maintenance & Cleaning

• Coordinateoverall scheduling of equipmentmaintenance including requesting RAMS liaising with building management and service engineers collating/recording service reports actioningfollow-up orders.
• Maintain schedules for cleaning and maintenance of the scale-upfacilityand its equipment.
• Perform regular cleaning sanitation and routine maintenance of laboratory and bioprocessing equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Monitor and track equipment performance and report issues promptly tomaintainprocess continuity.
• Follow strict cleaning protocols to ensure contamination control.

Inventory & Procurement

• Maintain inventory of lab supplies andconsumables;assistinginpurchasingmaterials to ensure the facility is stocked appropriatelywith both routine and client consumables
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers fortimelyand cost-effective ordering and delivery.
• Use organisational procurement software to place orders
• Record purchasing and receipt ina timelyandaccuratemanager
• Assistinmaintainingclient and project consumable inventory and usage records.

Documentation & Compliance

• Record all relevant data andmaintainaccuratelab documentation following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and relevant SOPs.
• Adhere toProcess COSHH and risk assessmentdocumentation biological safety proceduresprotocols andmaintaina clean organised and compliant work environment.
• Flag hazards asappropriate especially near-miss and accidents

Training & Collaboration

• Providetraining to a high standard to newly on-boarded colleaguesand ensure operational continuity.
• Participate in training and support team members in equipment operation and laboratory procedures.
• Assistwith setup for training courses including printing of documentation roomorganisationand catering.
• Work collaboratively across departments with the university andIBioIC ensuring effective communication and efficient workflow within the lab.
• Attend weekly team meetings and update orally and in writing as matters arises and as requested by the line manager

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. At least anHND and/or Batchelors qualification in a related subject such as biologybiotechnologyor biochemistry or similar equivalent to SCQF level 8 or role isNOTsuitable forPhDqualification orequivalent experience.
2. Previousexperienceperformingtechnicalsupport work in abioprocessingenvironmentto supportcell culture or fermentationbioreactors
3. Experience ofmaking up large volumes of complex buffer/media (> 10 litres).
4. Experience of using andmaintainingroutine laboratory pH meter spectrophotometer biosafety cabinets autoclave etc.
5. Experience conducting routine cleaning of a laboratory weekly cleaning of surfaces and equipment
6. Evidence of excellent written and verbal English communication skills with a friendly collaborative approach to working within a team.

Desirable

1. Experience of taking and processing samples samplesanalysisandtimelyreporting results
2. Experience withroutine internal of performingcalibrationsonbioprocessing equipment
3. Experience with bioreactors (50L300L) and/or downstream processing routine cleaning on larger scale lab/pilot scale equipment
4. Experienceof inventory management and procurement processes.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Thursday 18th June 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected trained promoted appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.