Drosophila Auxiliary Technician

Job Description

Job Summary: 
We're on the lookout for a detail-driven Auxiliary Technician to join the CDN Fly Facility in a pioneering sustainability initiative. This role is at the heart of transforming how we work?by helping us move away from single-use plastic fly vials toward a reusable, zero-waste model

Currently, fly vials?used to house and feed research flies?are disposed of after just one use, entering the clinical waste stream and ending up in high-temperature incineration. This not only carries a hefty cost but also significantly contributes to our carbon footprint. 

By transitioning to reusable vials, you'll be part of a groundbreaking effort to slash single-use plastic in our labs, cut down on Scope 3 emissions, and move the Department?and King?s College London?closer to its Net Zero goal. If you're passionate about sustainability and keen to make a tangible impact in research operations, we?d love to hear from you. 

The project will be based in New Hunts House CDN, working with the labs that use the facility and the  technical manager and fly technician to determine a cleaning protocol for fly vials, test the validity of the protocol through microbiology techniques, and determine the effect, if any, of the change on the fruit flies. The student would work with wild type fruit flies to determine their reaction to reused vials that had previously been used for chemical or drug work, and in doing so will learn basic fly maintenance techniques.   

Once the project is complete, the student will have created a protocol for cleaning the glass fly vials, considered the cost of moving to reusable vials, calculated the labour requirements and equipment purchases needed to make this a viable long-term solution, assess current fly protocols and suggest areas where further changes can be made. The assessment will be presented to Technical Managers and PI?s using the facility.   

Shape 

Responsibilities: 

Facility & Equipment Maintenance: 

Read all relevant literature to the project.

Develop a protocol for cleaning and reusing glass vials. 

Develop a protocol in the case of glass smashing/fly escape.

Validate different decontamination methods (freezing vs autoclaving) and the energy associated with each one. 

Identify equipment which needs to be purchased for the pilot and future transition. 

Collect data on the baseline and after the pilot on the amount of waste saved, energy used and loss of glass vials or H&S issues. 

Collate and present data on the glass pilot project. 

Collect, clean, scrub, and wash Drosophila glass and plastic vials. 

Operate laboratory equipment, including mixing vessels, autoclaves, dishwashers, and other relevant tools. 

Organize and restock vials in trays for reuse. 

Maintain a supply of chemicals and consumables for media preparation. 

Assist in maintaining lab equipment and supplies. 

 

Support for Research & Experiments: 

Assist with Drosophila-related experimental procedures when required. 

Maintain accurate records of media preparation and fly stock organization. 

Follow strict safety protocols and laboratory procedures. 



Qualifications

undergraduate wet-lab based science degree or actively completing one.



Skills

Skills & Qualifications: 

Technical Skills: 

Ability to operate lab equipment (autoclave, dishwasher, mixing vessels). 

Experience with Drosophila or other laboratory animals is a plus. 

Ability to carry out manual handling tasks (e.g., lifting and loading vials into dishwashers/autoclaves). 

Other Attributes: 

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 

Presentation skills.

Ability to work independently and within a team. 

Commitment to maintaining a clean and efficient work environment. 

 

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We are urgently looking for an Executive Assistant who will support the CIO in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and will include the coordination of cross-service projects to achieve strategic and operational aims. The post holder will develop effective working relations with staff at all levels across the University and regularly liaise with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of ITS?s operations and the fulfilment of strategic objectives. The post holder will also be responsible for the operational management of the office of the CIO on a-day-to-day basis dealing with all enquiries and ensuring matters are escalated as appropriate in a timely manner.

 

Main duties and responsibilities 

To effectively develop and manage an electronic filing system for the CIO, ensuring that all stored documents, files and reference materials are up-to-date and systems are transparent and easy to use. 

 

To prepare reports, correspondence, communications, presentations and other documents for the CIO at his/her request. 

 

To prepare management information and briefing material, as directed by the CIO. 

 

To provide comprehensive executive support and advice to the CIO on a variety of issues relating to IT Services using in-depth knowledge of the University to provide opinion and credible solutions to problems arising. 

 

To collaborate and develop strong working relationships with staff and management from across Professional Services, attending relevant networking groups ensuring that professional communications standards are maintained at all times. 

 

The Executive Assistant is expected to use their professional judgement and experience to identify issues, trends and problems which may have a broad impact, bringing those issues or communications of highest priority or sensitivity to the attention of the CIO. 

 

The post holder is expected to comply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures and to ensure that all activities are undertaken in a safe manner.

 



Qualifications

Educated to degree level or with equivalent experience as a PA/EA. 

 



Skills
  • Substantial experience of working as a PA/EA in a Higher Education Institute or IT Services organization 
  • Experience of supporting  committee work at a senior level 
  • Experience of dealing with complex and sensitive business activities in an executive support role. 
  • Comprehensive understanding of the Higher Education sector 
  • Experience in handling difficult situations with tact and sensitivity. 
  • Knowledge of project management principles with the ability to coordinate, monitor and support multiple project groups. 
  • Ability to manage and prioritise activities of self and others in order to meet tight deadlines. 
  • Ability to exercise creativity and judgement in problem solving. 
  • Excellent IT Skills including Microsoft Office and an understanding of management information systems. 
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to balance competing pressures, deadlines and demands. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and proactive approach 
  • Self-motivated and acts on own initiative. 
  • Able to work independently, and as part of a team. 
  • Adaptable, flexible and able to cope with uncertainty and change. Professional calm and efficient manner. 
  • Required to carry out duties at other University sites as necessary, to support the wide ranging activity of the Estates and Facilities Directorate. 
  • Able to maintain complete confidentiality at all times when dealing with sensitive information. 

     

The Student Ambassador Admin Assistant is responsible for a range of administrative duties to ensure the efficient running of the Student Ambassador programme, as well as supporting with other administrative tasks for the Widening Participation and Outreach team. Tasks include:

  • Act as a point of contact for the student ambassador scheme, and anyone booking ambassador via email, over the phone or in person
  • Upload jobs onto our employment portal, HEAT, and booking appropriate ambassadors for jobs.
  • Managing the student ambassador mailbox ? answering emails and responding in a timely manner.
  • Support with the recruitment and training of new cohort of Student Ambassadors.
  • Book meeting rooms for colleagues and supporting with administrative duties in line with the work of the team.
  • Organise and update office databases
  • Respond to questions and requests for information
  • In addition to the role there will be opportunities to gain experience supporting taster days, talking about your experiences as a student and being a positive role model to prospective students.

To apply please make sure you submit a supporting statement on how you fit the essential skills and experience for the post. 



Qualifications

Graduate of London Met. This opportunity is not available to current enrolled students.



Skills

Experience/Skills

Essential

1. Experience of working in a customer focused role

2. Strong numerical skills and attention to detail

3. Clear understanding of customer service best practice

4. Strong IT skills particularly in Microsoft Outlook and Excel

5. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

6. Strong problem solving skills

7. Ability to motivate and enthuse others

8. Able to work on own initiative

9. Understanding of data protection principles

Desirable

1. Knowledge of or interest in the HE landscape and the challenges and opportunities withing the sector.

2. Suitable experience or interest in widening participation, student recruitment and student facing roles.

Qualifications

? Graduate of London Met. This opportunity is not available to current enrolled students.

The NMPC faculty is seeking a research assistant with strong organisational skills to support an educational innovation project. The role involves collecting, transcribing, and thematic analyse of qualitative research from  focus groups. The successful candidate will be responsible for synthesising key insights, assisting with data interpretation, and contributing to the dissemination of findings to the research team. This role will take place over a series over 3 months with 12 hours of work each month. 

Monthly deadlines for completed work 

Receive audio file recording - 15th May 

Complete transcription and analysis - 20th May

Receive audio file recording - 12th June 

Complete transcription and analysis - 17th June

Receive audio file recording - 10th July

Complete transcription and analysis - 15th July 

 

Applicants must be able to commit to all the deadlines above. 

Key requirements of the role 

Transcription & Analysis

? Report & Findings Dissemination

? Collaboration & Communication

Administrative & Organisational Support



Qualifications
  1. A degree (or working towards a degree) in a relevant field such as social sciences, health sciences, or a related discipline.


Skills
  1. Good communication skills 
  2. Experience in data analysis, and reporting research findings
  3. Transcription skills 
  4. Proficient in gathering, cleaning, and preparing qualitative data exports for accurate and efficient analysis
  5. Ability to critically analyse and interpret data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations based on research outcomes
  6. Strong attention to detail in data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure accuracy and reliability in research outcomes
  7. Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively present research findings, collaborate with team members, and engage with stakeholders
  8. Strong organisational skills to coordinate activities, and meet project deadlines
  9. Understanding of research ethics principles and guidelines to ensure research compliance and integrity
  10. Capacity to work collaboratively with a research team, share knowledge, contribute insights, and support the achievement of research
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