Support Technician in Sheffield

As a Support Technician you will work as an integral member of the School's existing technical team. Reporting to Senior Technicians and Technical Managers, you will support the School's teaching and research activities by providing an effective and efficient technical service across the School and where required will support wider School activities. This will include supporting student projects (UG, PGT & PGR), a range of academic research projects and specific or specialist business needs of the School. You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School's technical team continues to be recognized for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical support on a range of issues across the School. This includes liaising with academics and PG students regarding potential work and carrying out experimental procedures under the guidance of senior colleagues and/or study leads.
• Report technical issues to senior staff as appropriate.
• Support general lab activities and provide basic lab management duties, working under the guidance of study leads and senior technical colleagues to ensure high quality sample processing, storage and record keeping.
• Use, monitor and maintain a variety of general and specialist technical equipment, to meet the needs of the School with regard to research, teaching and experimental work.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Present data and results accurately and appropriately to staff and students involved in the research study as required.
• Plan and perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research & teaching activities.
• Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students and assist with creating relevant safety documentation.
• Maintain appropriate records for own work area and report breaches of H&S to senior colleagues.
• Attend all required safety and training courses, and comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations at all times.
• Work collaboratively across the School providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• A Degree or National Diploma in a relevant scientific field (or have equivalent experience). Essential – Application
• Experience of providing an effective and efficient technical support service in a research laboratory environment. Essential – Application / interview
• Previous experience of supporting relevant life sciences technologies such as cell culture, molecular biology or histology, and associated sample processing. Essential – Application / interview
• Knowledge of safe working practices and experience of applying Health & Safety in a laboratory or teaching environment. Essential – Application / interview
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to academic, research and technical staff at all levels within the organisation. Essential – Application / interview
• Technical professional registration or the willingness to work toward this. Essential – Application / interview
• Ability to work well within a team whilst also being able to work independently when required. Essential – Application / interview
• Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer‑term implications. Essential – Application / interview
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities around tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy. Essential – Application / interview
• Experience in cell culture and aseptic technique. Desirable – Application / interview
• Experience in molecular biology assays and techniques. Desirable – Application / interview

Further Information

• Grade: 4
• Salary: £25,249 - £26,707
• Work arrangement: Full-time, 100% FTE (35 hours per week)
• Duration: Open ended
• Line manager: Senior Technician
• Direct reports: Senior Technicians, research groups

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies support for those going through the menopause paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.