Senior Chemical & Biological Technician 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 School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to the role of Senior Chemical and Biological Technician. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting teaching and research activities, primarily supporting the chemical and biological labs in Mechanical Engineering but also offering support to the labs in Environmental Engineering and the wider school as and when required.

You will be part of a technical team who provide support to academic and research staff across the Mechanical and Environmental Engineering labs as well as supporting our postgraduate and undergraduate students in their taught lab sessions. You will also be responsible for carrying out inductions to the lab spaces, providing training and information on the equipment housed in the labs, ordering of equipment and consumables as well as the associated stock control of chemicals, biological materials and consumables to support the school’s teaching and research.

You may occasionally be required to supervise researchers and students at off-site locations while collecting samples or performing outreach and therefore a full UK driving licence is essential to the role. A university vehicle will be provided for these purposes.

You will support the Technical Team Leader in their designated area regarding aspects of health and safety, infrastructure and estate, and asset management.

You will need to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of working in laboratory environments as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• A proactive mindset with evidence of continuous improvement.
• Evidence of technical problem solving, and a solution-focused approach.
• A strong customer focus and the ability to work flexibly, efficiently, and cooperatively with stakeholders.
• A good understanding of health and safety processes.
• Technical expertise in the operation of analytical instrumentation.

The position is full-time and offered on an open-ended basis.

Key Accountabilities

• In conjunction with the Technical Team Leader, be responsible for the day-to-day operation of specific laboratory facilities and items of equipment and instrumentation.
• To undertake fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.
• In conjunction with academic, research, technical staff and students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the school and university purchasing procedures.
• Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the Team Leader.
• To maintain an effective inventory of chemicals and equipment within your designated work area to ensure a continuous supply is available, and ensure safe disposal of hazardous materials generated by teaching and research activities according to standard university procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments.
• In conjunction with the Technical Team Leader and School Safety Officer monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements.
• To train and advise staff and students in appropriate lab techniques and good lab practice to ensure they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner.
• To provide lab supervision and training to postgraduates, undergraduates and junior technical staff using the facilities to ensure working practices are followed.
• To contribute to regular research, teaching, and team meetings, health and safety meetings and lab audits.
• Provide comprehensive support and advice to staff and students on technical development, design, preparation, construction, assembly and setting up of experiments, including supporting the scheduling of project activities.
• To have responsibility for the running and maintenance of analytical equipment and instrumentation as required.
• As part of the wider chemical and biological services technical team, have responsibility for the running and maintenance of the service in support of research and teaching involving the use of various scientific equipment.
• To have responsibility for undertaking tests and experiments as part of ongoing research, teaching, or commercial outreach activities in accordance with appropriate standards, including collating, providing both data and results for interpretation, processing and archiving.

The Person

• Experience of working in a relevant technical role in a chemical or biological lab environment with demonstrable team working skills.
• Experience of running day-to-day activities in a chemical or biological lab and their associated infrastructure, inventories, instrumentation, equipment and sustainable practices.
• Experience of using an array of equipment and instrumentation with a good theoretical and practical knowledge of scientific equipment, including repair and maintenance.
• Up-to-date and detailed knowledge of health and safety procedures in a lab setting, including experience of writing risk assessments and standard operating procedures.
• Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changes in lab research and teaching priorities.
• Contribute to design and specification of research and teaching activities.
• Demonstrates good organisation and ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of biosafety, in particular, the safe use and management of category II containment facilities.
• Knowledge of cryosafety and willingness to cover deliveries that may be outside of normal working hours (time off in lieu will be given).
• Willingness to cover open days and outreach programmes that may be outside of normal working hours (overtime will be paid).

Attributes and Behavior

• Displays a flexible attitude to team tasks and priorities, with a willingness to help others and share workloads with clear communication and updates on progress.
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role within their team and will grow relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
• Works in a planned and structured way with good attention to detail.
• Ensures that all activities are completed on time and can prioritise tasks accordingly, optimising resource use, and maintaining high standards of service.
• Strives to deliver high quality results by embracing change to deliver a positive and reliable technical service.
• Is adaptable and has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements where required.
• Takes responsibility for achieving their own targets and co-operates enthusiastically with others to support their activities, ensuring others know how processes and systems work in their area.

Qualifications

• Higher National Certificate in Science (or equivalent Level 4 qualification); or equivalent relevant technical experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience.
• Full UK driving licence.

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 silver 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. 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.