University of Oxford

 

CLINICAL TRIAL SERVICE UNIT

& EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES UNIT (“CTSU”)

 

CRYOGENIC STORAGE ASSISTANT

 

Job Description

 

Research at the Clinical Trial Service Unit is focused on the causes and treatment of disease, in particular cancer and heart disease.  These chronic conditions, which collectively account for most adult deaths in the UK, are investigated by means of epidemiological studies and clinical trials.  As many of these projects are large-scale and long term, CTSU has built up the facilities to store and process very large numbers of blood samples.  The laboratory uses extensive computer automation and has particular expertise in developing reliable high-throughput methods of analysis.  Storage facilities include liquid nitrogen storage vessels and freezer cabinets at two remote sites, and a freezer room and cabinets in the Unit.

We require a cryogenic storage assistant to assist in the storage and retrieval of blood samples from freezers and liquid nitrogen storage vessels, and to assist in the monitoring of the equipment at the various long term blood storage facilities.  The successful applicant will work as part of an established team and will report directly to the laboratory manager.

 

Responsibilities and duties of the post holder

 

1.                  Assist with the receipt, inventory logging and storage of human blood samples in liquid nitrogen storage vessels or ultra cold freezer cabinets/rooms

 

2.                  Assist with the daily observation and maintenance of the liquid nitrogen storage vessels, freezer rooms and cabinets, all associated equipment and ventilation systems located at CTSU, Unit 8 and Unit 17

 

3.                  Assist with the careful record-keeping and logging of information generated following inspection of the storage facilities

 

4.                  Participation in an emergency on-call rota for the monitoring of the storage facilities out of normal working hours including weekends and public holidays

 

5.                  Assist with the retrieval and delivery to CTSU laboratories human blood samples from long-term storage vessels

 

6.                  Liaison with courier companies for the shipment (nationally and internationally) or delivery of human blood samples to/from CTSU collaborators and the collection and delivery of frozen samples to CTSU laboratories

 

7.                  Use of computer software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and the laboratory computerised sample inventory system

 

8.                  Ensure the safe operation of the laboratory by understanding and adhering to COSHH and H&S regulations for the safe handling of chemicals and human blood and/or plasma samples

 

9.                  Follow procedures for the safe disposal of biohazardous and any other laboratory waste

 

10.              To carry out other such comparable duties as required by your supervisor or line manager

 

NB.  Training for all aspects of the post-holders duties will be provided prior to handling blood samples within the CTSU laboratories.

 

 

Selection Criteria

 

Essential

 

·         Thorough and careful approach to work

·         Good organisational skills

·         Ability to work well within a team

·         Ability and willingness to learn

·         Ability to follow standard operating procedures and adhere to health & safety guide policies

·         Initiative and the ability to work independently

·         Flexibility with respect to duties

·         Full, clean driving licence

·         A reasonable level of fitness is required due to the manual nature of some aspects of the work e.g. sample retrieval

·         Good communication skills, both written and oral

 

Desirable

 

·         Computer literacy with previous use of Microsoft Word and Excel

·         Work experience within a clinical laboratory environment or general stores management or experience of working with liquid nitrogen/freezers

·         Engineering background/experience

 

Working conditions and benefits

 

·         Twelve months contract in the first instance.

·         Requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered.

·         Generous holidays.

·         CTSU staff are eligible for membership of the University’s final pension scheme, or can continue in the NHS pension scheme (if applicable).

·         CTSU staff have access to the University’s subsidised sports and social facilities.

·         CTSU operates a no-smoking policy.

·         Any offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.

 

Salary  Whitley Council MTO1: £13,256 - £16,089 p.a.

 

For an informal discussion:  Please contact Karen Kourellias on 01865 743827.

 

Application deadline: 25 November 2005

 

To apply:

 

Please see http://www.ctsu.ox.ac.uk/~jobs/ or contact Felicity Butcher on 01865 743867 or recruit@admin.ox.ac.uk for further details.  To apply, send a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the completed supplementary information form to: Admin Section, Clinical Trial Service Unit, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LF, quoting reference 05/15/KK.  The closing date is 25 November 2005.