skip to content

Technician Development

 

Current role: Chief Technician and Facilities Manager, Department of Archaeology

First role: Trainee technician in the Research and Development Department of a healthcare supply company.  Completed a Foundation Degree in Applied Biology whilst in the role.

After six years: Laboratory Manager running a tissue culture laboratory at a biotechnology company specialising in monoclonal antibodies.  

First role at the University: Laboratory Technician, Wellcome Trust Immunology Research Group at the School of Clinical Medicine; grade 4, part time, fixed term.  

After three years at the University:

  • Secured a part time, permanent grade 4 Research Laboratory Technician role at Department of Biological Anthropology (now the Department of Archaeology)
  • Role included supporting the noninvasive evolutionary study of primates
  • Returned to the role after taking a two year career break to raise her children.

After twelve years at the University:

  • Successfully applied for current role to be regraded to a grade 5, as it had changed and developed over the years
  • More involved with Health and Safety and the work of various Committees.

After seventeen years at the University:

  • Promoted to current grade 6 role
  • Responsible for maintenance of the building, which houses the Duckworth Collection, one of the largest collections of human remains in the world, and manages a number of laboratories
  • Administrator for the department Human Tissue Authority license
  • Line manages custodian and two junior technicians
  • Other responsibilities include; Safety Officer; First Aider; laboratory management; fieldwork risk assessments; budget management; teaching student practicals and assisting research projects.

Jo enjoys the variety of her role and has an enduring passion for the laboratory work elements of the job, including supporting student training.

Career development:

Throughout her professional life, Jo has pushed her own career development, working hard to raise her profile to ensure that colleagues see the value that she brings and give her the recognition that she deserves.