Research Support Officer - #2189390

Research Support Officer / Lab Technician

MicroLub | Nexus, Leeds | Part-time | 1 year Fixed-term contract - potential to extend

Put your laboratory skills to work on the next generation of food ingredients.

Do you enjoy practical laboratory work, learning new analytical techniques and producing results that others can rely on? Join MicroLub and contribute to food innovation through hands-on testing, research support and experimental data collection.

MicroLub is a University of Leeds spinout developing protein-based ingredient technologies that help food manufacturers reduce fat and calories while maintaining texture and mouthfeel. Based at Nexus in Leeds, we are looking for a Research Support Officer to help our technical team keep experimental work running smoothly.

The opportunity

Reporting to our Head of Lab Services, you will work alongside scientific, product development and data colleagues. Your work will support ingredient research and development, with the experimental data you generate also contributing to MicroLub’s AI project.

This is a varied, laboratory-based role offering opportunities to build your analytical skills and see how your work contributes to practical food applications.

What you will do

• Prepare ingredients, solutions and samples, keeping accurate records of materials and experimental conditions.
• Perform a range of food analytical measurements, such as rheology, tribology (oral lubrication behaviour), texture analysis, water activity, pH and acidity, following established protocols.
• Learn and apply additional analytical methods as research priorities and laboratory needs evolve, with method-specific training and support.
• Record, check and organise experimental results, contribute to project reports and help prepare structured datasets for the AI project.
• Maintain equipment, consumables and samples, and take responsibility for general laboratory upkeep and shared facilities.
• Support safe laboratory practice, including COSHH, standard operating procedures, risk assessments and inductions.

What you will bring

You will have a BSc in Food Science, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent laboratory experience, together with practical experience in a research, industry or teaching laboratory.

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes a careful, methodical approach to experiments, record keeping and data quality.
• Can organise their own work, meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Works confidently on routine tasks once trained and authorised, while recognising when to seek guidance.
• Builds positive working relationships and collaborates with colleagues from different scientific and technical backgrounds.
• Has experience in, or is enthusiastic about learning, food analysis and oral tribological techniques.
• Is comfortable using Excel or comparable tools to organise data and present results clearly.

A relevant master’s degree, knowledge of proteins, colloids, emulsions or gels, or experience with relevant analytical techniques would be advantageous.

Why join MicroLub

You will join a growing food technology business where reliable laboratory work directly supports scientific and commercial progress. You will develop practical analytical skills, contribute across research activities and work closely with colleagues applying science to real food challenges.

**STRICTLY NO AGENCIES**