Research Technician in Cell Culture, Imaging and Sample Processing


Company:	University of Sheffield
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Sheffield, S10 2TN
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	10 Sept 2026
Closing date:	24 Sept 2026

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Summary

University of Sheffield

Are you an experienced laboratory technician with practical skills in mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique and biological sample processing? We have an exciting opportunity to join the Mechanisms of Health & Disease research group within the School of Clinical Dentistry.

The role is part of a major new externally funded interdisciplinary programme led by Dr Thomas Paterson, bringing together bioengineering, microbiology, neuroscience and translational neurotechnology.

The programme will explore whether engineered fungal networks can be developed as controllable bioelectronic interface materials. Current neural-interface technologies remain limited by trade-offs between surgical invasiveness, tissue compatibility, spatial coverage and long-term function. Fungal networks offer a distinctive biological platform: soft, three-dimensional structures that can be grown, modified and tested as part of future bioelectronic interface systems.

As Research Technician, you will contribute to an ambitious programme developing candidate fungal biointerfaces and evaluating them against clear safety, control and functional criteria as part of a large multidisciplinary team.

You will provide day-to-day technical support for mammalian cell culture, biological assay setup, staining, imaging preparation, sample processing and laboratory organisation. The role will support neural, glial, immune, endothelial/BBB-relevant and other in vitro models used to assess fungal candidate compatibility, toxicity, inflammation, barrier effects and interface function. You will also support ordering, stock management, reagent preparation, data organisation, sample tracking and routine maintenance of culture and assay workflows.

This role would suit someone with strong hands-on laboratory skills in cell culture, biological sample processing, microscopy preparation, staining, histology support or related biomedical research workflows. You will be able to work reliably both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, with a strong focus on reproducible assays, safe working, accurate records and well-organised sample handling.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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