Biological Labs Technical Team Leader in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Biological Research Technical Team Leader. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting the research activities in the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, through the provision of technical management within the biological research laboratories. You will support the School Technical Operations Manager in the management of the biological research facilities (including Cat II laboratories) and infrastructure, and the line management of a team of technicians within the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering within the area of responsibility. Within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, you will support the activities of the Molecular Life Sciences academic group and provide support for biological health and safety and biologically contaminated waste disposal across all our estate. You will also manage key building services as required, including stores, sterile services, and gas and cryogens.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual, with technical/research experience and excellent organisational skills. The candidate must have experience in relevant laboratory environments, a good understanding of health and safety, and excellent team-working and communication skills.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of laboratory experience and independent working.
• Supervisory responsibilities for other staff members or students.
• A proactive mindset with evidence of continuous improvement.
• Evidence of technical problem solving, and a solution focused approach.
• Health and Safety management experience.
• Awareness and commitment to sustainability initiatives.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. The position is full-time, and offered on an open-ended basis.

To lead, manage and develop a technical team, ensuring effective performance. This will include responsibility for staff induction, training and development, performance management, the allocation and prioritisation of duties, recruitment and authorisation of annual leave.

To support the School Technical Operations Manager with the planning, organisation and administration of the estate and wider technical services within their teams area of responsibility. To ensure the effective maintenance, security and facility management of the School, including third party arrangements. To lead on discrete estates related projects, including university wide initiatives.

In conjunction with the School Technical Operations Manager ensure satisfactory maintenance, repair and calibration of all equipment and instrumentation within their area. To assist in the forward planning to upgrade and replace equipment. In collaboration with the School Operations teams, to assist in the maintenance of the School’s asset register for planning and insurance purposes.

Monitor and maintain safe working environment to Health and Safety guidelines in conjunction with the School Safety Officer. Attend local safety committees for their areas of responsibility.

Ensure sound financial accounting whilst maintaining best value principles by maintaining records relating to: the recharging of technical time where appropriate; and materials and stock items especially where used for teaching and research.

To act as the biological laboratory research team leader taking the lead in providing technical support for the operation of biological based research carried out in the School research laboratories and in support of wider-faculty biological research labs within the Devonshire Building.

To manage the Faculty central services facility and store within the Devonshire Building, ensuring recharging of biological media and consumables.

Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Substantial work experience in a scientific/biological laboratory or relevant work environment, with a proven track record of leading a technical team.
• Have a thorough understanding of the Health and Safety issues of working in a biological laboratory environment, and safe use and management of category II containment facilities.
• Ability to implement and manage change with demonstrable recent experience and skills in staff management, and the ability to motivate and develop members of a team.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• High level planning, organising and technical problem solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to problem solving utilising excellent prioritisation skills, and the ability to delegate tasks.
• Evidence of project management and experience of financial budgetary management.
• Good numerical skills and the ability to manipulate, analyse and present information for management use.
• Experience of working collaboratively with academic staff.
• Have or be working towards professional registration with a suitable awarding body (Desirable).

Attributes and Behaviour

Thinking strategically

• Has the ability to see the “big picture”, to think strategically and to manage complex problems and issues.
• Sees the bigger picture.
• Able to create a vision for own area and explain how it fits in with the overall strategic vision of the University.
• Understands and makes sense of complex or conflicting data and different perspectives of stakeholders and University areas/faculties/etc.
• Works through the implications of situations in order to identify the most appropriate way forward in order to meet strategic goals.
• Uses analytical techniques to break down complex problems into component parts.
• Recognises the need for change and is forward looking.
• Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas.
• Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements.
• Accepts the reality and requirements of change as part of achieving organisational goals.
• Is able to achieve change at individual and functional level.
• Reviews and revises plans to meet with changing circumstances.
• Is supportive of others during change.
• Develops and implements new ideas.

Team-working

• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the project where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
• Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different.
• Shares relevant and useful information with others.
• Keeps other team members up to date with progress.
• Gets involved with team tasks.
• Willing to help others and share workloads.
• Supportive of team decisions.
• Asks others’ opinion.
• Encourages others to get involved.
• Talks about other team members in a positive way.
• Respects the value that different views bring to the team.

Developing Talent

• Motivates and develops self and others to achieve high performance. Demonstrates a positive approach to developing skills and general performance.
• Personally involved in supporting the development of others – acting as a coach, mentor or trainer.
• Provides feedback identifying areas for development and recognising good work.
• Actively manages and supports staff through the PDR process, promotions and reward mechanisms.
• Helps others to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses.
• Gives timely and constructive feedback.
• Gives “on the job” support and training, looks at enabling skills transfer.

Planning and organising

• Manage time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively.
• Identifies quickly what is important and prioritises accordingly.
• Establishes clear roles and responsibilities for self and others.
• Maintains flexibility in work plans to allow for changing circumstances.
• Works in a planned and structured way.
• Ensures all activities are completed on time.
• Uses systems and tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level qualification in a relevant subject or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles.
• Management qualification or evidence of leadership CPD. (Desirable)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.