Chemical Technical Team Leader in Newcastle upon Tyne

Salary: £36,636 to £38,784 with progression to £46,049 per annum. 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.

Closing Date: 6 September 2026

The School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to the role of Chemical Technical Team Leader. We are seeking a skilled individual to lead and manage a team of Technicians, who support our teaching and research activities and manage the associated equipment and facilities within the discipline of Chemical Engineering.

As Chemical Technical Team Leader you will be responsible for managing a team of technicians responsible for supporting the chemical engineering laboratories. You will provide operational leadership ensuring the safe, efficient and effective delivery of technical services that underpin undergraduate teaching, postgraduate research, commercial testing and externally funded research projects.

You will support the Technical Operations Manager in the leadership and development of chemical engineering technical services, taking responsibility for areas including health and safety, lab operations, staff management, infrastructure, asset management and continuous service improvement.

You Will Need To Demonstrate:

• Proven experience of leading or supervising technical staff within a chemical laboratory environment.
• Strong technical expertise in chemical engineering, including laboratory techniques and the management, operation and maintenance of analytical equipment.
• A thorough understanding of laboratory health and safety, statutory compliance and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, communication and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing technical team.
• A proactive and strategic approach to planning, resource management and technical service delivery.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced technical professional looking to take the next step in their career, leading a highly skilled team and contributing to the continued success and growth of Engineering Technical Services at Newcastle University. The position is full-time and offered on an open-ended basis.

For informal enquiries please contact Kevin Brown, Technical Operations Manager by e-mail at Kevin.Brown2@newcastle.ac.uk.

At Newcastle University we are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead, manage and develop a team of technical staff, ensuring effective performance through recruitment, induction, workload planning, objective setting, performance management, staff development, wellbeing support and the efficient allocation of resources.
• Support the Technical Operations Manager in the management of Engineering laboratories, technical facilities, infrastructure and estates within your area of responsibility, ensuring facilities remain safe, secure, compliant and operational.
• Manage the delivery of technical services supporting teaching, research, fieldwork, commercial testing and external engagement activities.
• Work collaboratively with academic colleagues to ensure technical resources, facilities and staffing are effectively planned and aligned with teaching timetables, research programmes and operational priorities.
• Lead the management of health and safety within your area, ensuring compliance with University policies and statutory legislation.
• Manage the maintenance, servicing, calibration, replacement planning and procurement of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Provide technical leadership, advice and training to staff, students and external collaborators, promoting high standards of technical practice, good laboratory practice and safe working across all teaching and research activities.
• Manage allocated budgets, procurement and financial records, ensuring value for money and supporting commercial activities through client liaison, costing, financial monitoring and resource planning.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance technical services, laboratory operations, customer service and ways of working.
• Manage the safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, including chemical and biological waste and gas cylinders, ensuring compliance with statutory legislation, University procedures and environmental best practice.

The Person Knowledge, Skills And Experience:

• Experience of managing or supporting a team of technical staff in a chemical laboratory environment.
• Significant experience of managing or supporting multiple chemical laboratories or facilities and their associated infrastructure, equipment, instrumentation and technical resources.
• Up to date and detailed knowledge of health and safety policy and procedures in a laboratory setting.
• Evidence of lab systems project management and contribution to improving processes, engaging with relevant stakeholders to continually enhance the service delivered.
• Experience of managing an array of analytical instrumentation and equipment for research and teaching activities.
• Demonstrable experience of implementing change, managing operational priorities and motivating and developing technical staff.
• Excellent planning, organisational and technical problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, delegate effectively and deliver high-quality technical services.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.

Attributes and Behaviour:

• Demonstrates strong leadership by motivating, supporting and developing others to achieve high performance and deliver an excellent technical service.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues, building positive relationships and valuing the expertise and contributions of others to achieve shared objectives.
• Establishes effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing a professional, responsive and customer-focused service.
• Plans and organises work effectively, prioritising competing demands, making efficient use of resources and ensuring activities are completed to a high standard.
• Demonstrates a proactive, flexible and solution-focused approach, adapting to changing priorities while maintaining service delivery.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and a positive team culture.

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent level qualification (in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry) plus experience in a similar role or significant technical experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 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.