We are currently recruiting for a graduate teaching assistant (GTAs) to act as a laboratory assistant for a visually impaired student for the Y2 laboratory-based module (Lab Pod 2) of the BSc Medical Biosciences (BMB) course.
About the role: We are looking for a considerate, committed GTA that will act as Laboratory Assistant for a visually impaired student during their Lab Pod 2 practical sessions. The Laboratory Assistant will perform any practical tasks that the student is unable to perform independently, under the student’s direction. In addition, the Laboratory Assistant will act as a sighted guide, providing guidance and support around the Lab Pod 2 laboratory facilities.
Job description – main duties and responsibilities
Duties will vary but might commonly include:
- Provide one-to-one assistance to a student with a visual impairment, to help them navigate between and within key lab venues.
- Support with undertaking practical aspects of the Lab Pod 2 research project e.g. performing laboratory techniques under student’s guidance.
- Support with setting up/using and dismantling equipment (e.g. microscopes, iBright, flow cytometer).
- Data entry/inputting of information for analysis.
- Assistance with transporting and accessing resources (e.g. cell flasks/plates, aliquots, lab consumables).
- Communicate with the student clearly and respectfully to ensure the correct support is being provided, and with Lab Pod 2 Teaching Fellows for any additional advice.
- Report to Lab Pod 2 Teaching fellows if any issues or concerns arise.
Assistant Person Specification:
- Punctual, well organised, and reliable.
- Good working knowledge of Hammersmith Campus and its facilities.
- Comply with all the requirements for a GTA at BMB.
- Previous experience as Lab Pod 2 GTA for the BMB programme.
- Experience of working with the following techniques:
- Tissue culture
- SDS PAGE and Western Blotting
- Ability to strictly follow instructions provided by Teaching Fellows.
- Ability to remain flexible and adapt to meet student needs.
- Good IT skills and access to a computer (sometimes resources will need to be scanned, reformatted, and emailed).
- Have a positive attitude towards diversity, equality and accessibility.
- A willingness to attend training relevant to the role as required.
Schedule and time commitment
The role requires GTAs to be available Thursdays when the student is attending Lab Pod 2 sessions. There are multiple positions available for this lab assistant role, this is to ensure GTAs can work in half-day shifts, and that the student can become familiar with their lab assistants. The successful candidates must have availability to attend shift(s) (morning or afternoon) on the dates stated below.
Shift times currently available:
- Morning shift 8.45am – 1.15pm (Thursday)
- Afternoon shift 12.45pm – 5.15pm (Thursday)
Timetable:
Term 2: February 2025 – 20 March 2025
- 13d Thursday 13th February
- 14d Thursday 20th February
- 15d Thursday 27th February
- 16d Thursday 6th March
- 17d Thursday 13th March
- 18d Thursday 20th March
Term 3: 8 May 2025 – 12 June 2025
- 19d Thursday 8th May
- 20d Thursday 15th May
- 21d Thursday 22nd May
- 22d Thursday 29th May
- 23d Thursday 5th June
- 24d Thursday 12th June
Enquiries
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Sarah Fort (s.fort@imperial.ac.uk)