Internal Applicants Only - Technical Specialist, Trace Element & Isotope Analysis in Cardiff

This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Technical Specialist to join our sector‑leading Trace Element & Isotope Analysis Facility. As a core member of a research‑focused and supportive team of technicians and technical specialists, you will be working in our Cardiff Environmental Laboratory for Trace Element and Isotope Chemistry (CELTIC) Facility. You will collaborate closely with our CELTIC Facility Manager and engage with a large, diverse research community of academics, students and technical staff.

Our outstanding analytical infrastructure includes:

• Neoma Multicollector‑Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MS/MS MC‑ICP‑MS)
• Triton™ XT Multicollector Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS)
• Nu Plasma II (MC‑ICP‑MS)
• Agilent 8900 triple‑quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP‑MS)
• ELEMENT XR HR‑ICP‑MS
• ELEMENT 2 HR‑ICP‑MS
• iCAP Pro XP ICP‑OES
• iCAP‑RQ‑ICP‑MS
• 2 laser ablation systems (193 and 213nm)
• 2 microwave digestion systems
• X‑300 fusion system

These instruments are supported by two class 1000 clean rooms dedicated for low‑blank processing of geological samples for trace metal and isotope measurements.

In this role, you will provide technical expertise in high‑precision isotope and trace metal analyses, supporting multi‑disciplinary research across Cardiff University (within Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Biosciences) and beyond, including national and international collaborations.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing maintenance and upkeep of instruments, ensuring appropriate maintenance regimes and timely servicing.
• Supporting lab users by providing technical expertise in method development, specialist techniques and procedures, and the analysis, interpretation and storage of data.
• Collaborating with academic researchers to advance analytical methodologies in order to expand the facility’s capabilities.
• Contributing to research publications and funding proposals where required.
• Designing new setups or optimising/automating existing systems.
• Delivering inductions, safety, and specialist training to new and existing lab users to ensure competence and confidence with clean‑lab processes and use of instruments.
• Taking responsibility for lab‑related safety issues, ensuring regulatory compliance with relevant health and safety procedures, conducting risk assessments and maintaining safety records.

This full‑time position (35 hours per week) is based in the University Main Building. The post is available immediately and is fixed‑term for 2 years. Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments at Cardiff University are normally made at bottom of scale unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Closing Date Friday, 26 June 2026

Equality & Diversity Statement

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those under‑represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT+, ethnic minority or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job‑share arrangements.