Automation Specialist

CK Group are recruiting for an Automation Specialist, on behalf of an industry leading manufacturer of Scientific Instruments, to be primarily based on one of their client sites in Stevenage, on a permanent basis.

About the role:
This role is a key component of the technical services support team, tasked with supporting automated liquid handling and bench-top automation platforms, enabling minimal equipment downtime and maximal system utilisation. This position will be embedded within the department, providing direct support to laboratory scientists in the programming and operation of automated platforms and in planning of experiments to incorporate automated solutions where appropriate.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Work closely with equipment users to develop & optimise scientific protocols on their automation platforms, ensuring optimal efficiency & performance.
• Work alongside scientists to develop, optimise, validate, and troubleshoot high throughput automated workflows.
• Lead Equipment Breakdown Deep-Dive activities to identify the underlying cause, with the objective of mitigating its reoccurrence.
• Train equipment users on key concepts associated with the platforms to support best-practice and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation.
• Oversee & participate in equipment support activities.
• Maintain awareness of new developments in the field of Laboratory Automation.
• Provide technical mediation in the event of long running equipment issues involving multiple vendors.

About you:
To be considered for the role, you will have the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Technical, or Sciences with 3+ year(s) servicing laboratory equipment OR
• Higher National Diploma (HND) (or equivalent) in Engineering, Technical, or Sciences with 4+ year(s) of experience servicing laboratory equipment OR
• A Level (or equivalent) in Engineering, Technical, or Sciences with 5+ year(s) of experience servicing laboratory equipment OR
• General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with 6+ years of experience serving laboratory equipment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Solid understanding of core competencies involved in operating liquid handling automation.

• Experience writing protocols using (Cellario, Evoware, Fluent Control, Momentum, VWorks or an equivalent software package).
• Experience working in a Pharmaceutical or regulated environment.
• Experience of developing & optimising complex protocols on liquid handling automation preferably on Tecan, SPT Labtech, Agilent and / or Analytik Jena instruments.
• Having leadership experience is advantageous for this role.

Working Environment:

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory.
• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time
• Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
• Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, or federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste.
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

Apply:
It is essential that applicants hold entitlement to work in the UK. Please quote job reference in all correspondence.