Research Technician - School of Chemistry

University of Birmingham; Highgate; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Highgate is seeking a Laboratory Manager to provide technical expertise and support research activities. The role involves managing laboratory equipment, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and training staff. Candidates should have a relevant degree and significant laboratory experience. This position offers opportunities for professional development and requires strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive relevant workplace experience in laboratory-based work.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant techniques and laboratory management.
• Ability to organize and manage workload independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage laboratories and maintain diverse equipment.
• Provide technical support for equipment and experiment design.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Laboratory management

Problem-solving

Health and Safety compliance

Communication

Education

Degree in relevant subject

GCSE Level 2 in Mathematics and English

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Commonly used software packages

Job description

Overview

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support for a group with 10-20 members. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate. You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures. You will work closely with students and PDRAs in the group to ensure the efficiency and safety of their protocols, and assist them in equipment and experiment design, management and maintenance. You will be expected to continuously work on improving your familiarity with diverse instrumentation and techniques through interactions with manufacturers, their representatives and service technicians, and you will be provided opportunities to continue building your skills and up-to-date knowledge of relevant instruments and techniques through participating in relevant workshops and seminars. In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

• You will be responsible for managing the laboratories and equipment. This will involve responsibility for maintaining diverse equipment, maintaining the inventory and supply of equipment and group resources, such as chemicals and consumable materials for laboratory and office use. It will also involve receiving relevant training and providing required training to new group members.
• You will be responsible for purchases and requisitions of laboratory supplies, equipment and consumables, working proactively to ensure their efficient and timely delivery, which will include seeking out vendors, communicating with vendors and, when needed, seeking alternative arrangements, and also maintaining all required legal records, including customs forms, etc.
• Independently, or in team with group's Senior Administrator and/or Research Associate, contribute to the recruitment and inductions of staff and students within the research groups, acting as a focal point for organisation and related arrangements, and the handling of queries.
• You will be working closely with a Research Associate in the group, in ensuring smooth operation of daily activities of the research group.
• Work independently or in team with the group's Research Associate to maintain equipment, optimise equipment use, keep records of purchases and consumption of consumables such as laboratory (chemicals, reagents, solvents, small laboratory items) or office material.
• Work independently or in team with the group's Research Associate to ensure effective and safe storage, as well as disposal of, of chemicals, solvents, other laboratory consumables and, if needed, equipment.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
• Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulations.
• Actively participate in networking and training opportunities across the College and University, acting as a representative for the research groups/School as appropriate.
• Provide technical and administrative support for the Omniram facility and for the research group while at research facilities outside of School.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This will include looking after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.
• Act as role model regarding the health and safety aspect of the daily activities within the laboratory, handling maintenance/inspection and calling out unsafe practices, including contributing to safety minutes during group meetings.

General Administration and Organisation

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Qualifications

• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A-C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and methods and laboratory management.
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.