Science Technician

Senior Technician for Environmental Sciences

£30,577 to £32,455 per annum pro rata (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £37,323.25 per annum, pro rata)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Science

The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration.

Technical Services at the University of Derby underpins the key activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and innovation. As an applied University we value the importance of practical work and experimental learning. Our highly skilled Technicians from across all areas of the organisation have a vital part they play in delivering the very best student experience, developing research activity and contributing to innovation. Central to the success of our Technical Service is collaboration, teamwork and knowledge sharing through our Technical Network.

Technical colleagues support a wide range of specialist resources across the Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Education, College of Science and Engineering and the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care. Working independently and in collaboration with academics, our technicians play an important role in advancing the work in many of our academic disciplines. We support specialist areas such as laboratories, resource HUB’s, workshops, controlled environments, clinical suites, media studios and Derby Theatre. We also provide specialist support for Research Centres such as the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE).

As a signatory of the national Technician Commitment programme, the University has pledged to support the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of Technical colleagues.

Many of our highly skilled technical staff members hold PhDs and Degrees in disciplines associated with the specialisms they deliver. An increasing number of our technicians have been recognised for their contribution to teaching and student support as Fellows and Associate Fellows of Advance HE. A number also hold professional accreditation status through organisations such as the Science Council, which establishes knowledge, understanding and competence.

The main purpose of this role is to provide scientific technical support for teaching, research, outreach and academic enterprise in Biological Science. You will work with the technical team to liaise with academic staff to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research.

Your main responsibility will be providing technical support in the insectary and undergraduate and postgraduate teaching classes. This will involve the breeding and maintenance of our insectary collection and demonstrating scientific techniques in relevant practicals (if workload permits). The role also requires supporting the successful completion of student laboratory and fieldwork projects, such as checking methodology, completing health and safety documentation, and training on relevant techniques/equipment.

Trainee technicians/student helpers may need to be trained and supervised in the general upkeep of laboratory and specialist spaces. Local compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations and policies must be kept, with completing appropriate risk assessments.

You will be based onsite to support academics and students, and may occasionally be needed to support out of hours outreach or animal maintenance and welfare.

Due to signing the technician commitment, the university has pledged to support the career development of technicians and offers support for attending technician development courses (such as via HEATED) or becoming a Fellow or Associate Fellow of Advanced Higher Education.

This role is part time, 18.5 hours per week.

You should have relevant experience in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Biological Sciences/Forensic Science) and/or a degree in a relevant scientific discipline.

You will have the ability to develop standard operating procedures for practical classes and have excellent and proven verbal communication skills to be able to communicate effectively to students and staff. You must have the ability to plan and monitor your own workload, operating both alone and as part of a team, and demonstrable high level of organisational and practical skills. You will also have good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including risk assessments and COSHH.

• Liaise with academic staff in the School of Science and the Technical team to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research in this area.
• Identify and acquire as well as develop the necessary skills/training related to this post in consultation with the Senior Technician and Technical Team Leader.
• Assist in the upkeep, maintenance, breeding and welfare of the animals within the insectary.
• Provide technical assistance to other members of staff as required by the Technical Team Leader or Senior Technician.
• Provide relevant technical assistance for student projects.
• Assist the Technical team with practical preparation in Biology/Zoology, Forensic Sciences and access classes.
• Assist with supervision and training of student employees and volunteers.
• Help or construct and/or install new apparatus and equipment. Operate and maintain existing apparatus and equipment as appropriate.
• Help to maintain material stocks, spares etc. and report deficiencies to the Technical Team.
• Demonstrate in relevant practicals as required (if technician workload permits).
• Undertake appropriate technician development programs and training.
• Ensure local compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies and write risk assessments where appropriate.
• Undertake any additional duties as required in agreement with the line manager and Technical team leader.
• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience in a related scientific subject

Experience

• Experience of supporting practical work in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience of working with animals, specifically in the field of entomology

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent and proven verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively to students and staff
• Practical and fieldwork skills in a related scientific discipline
• Ability to plan and monitor own workload operating both alone and as part of a team
• Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including Risk Assessments (RA) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
• Demonstrable high level of organisational skills
• Able to work with minimal supervision

Business requirements

• Willingness to work in a resource that breeds and experiments with crickets, flies and cockroaches
• Ability to attend field/residential trips or otherwise as agreed with line management
• Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)

Qualifications

• Professional registration
• First aid training

Experience

• Experience of technical or academic support in Zoology and specifically animal upkeep and welfare
• Experience of working with insects or within a facility or resource that maintains animals
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Hayley Marshall, Senior Technician in Biology/Zoology via H.Marshall2@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Don't miss your chance - join the team and make a difference today!

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