Senior Technician (Mass Spectrometry & Separations)

The University Of Manchester; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

Christmas closure across all depart.

Purple Place employee discount

Job summary

The University of Manchester seeks a Technical Specialist (Mass Spectrometry & Separations) to support the School of Chemistry and wider university. You will oversee LC-MS, GC-MS and MALDI-MS operations, interpret data, and supervise junior staff while ensuring safety and compliance.

The role is a fixed-term contract of approximately 24 months, requires 35 hours per week, and in-person presence as hybrid working is not feasible. Enquiries: [e-mail]

Qualifications

• Degree or significant work experience in a technical/scientific role.
• Hands-on experience with mass spectrometry and chromatography equipment.
• Ability to interpret complex data and report results.
• Ability to lead and deliver technical operations.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements in science environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for MS and separations services to research and teaching.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain chromatography and mass spectrometry equipment.
• Interpret and report accurate data to staff and students.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Chromatography

Data interpretation

Team leadership

Health & safety

Education

Science/Engineering degree

Tools

LC-MS

GC-MS

MALDI-MS

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Technical Specialist (Mass Spectrometry & Separations)

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join the Mass Spectrometry & Separations team and provide technical support to research and teaching within the School of Chemistry and the wider University. You will be responsible for the oversight and usage of a range of analytical instrumentation including but not limited to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-mass spectrometry. You will work as part of a team to provide timely provision of analytical results and interpretation thereof, as a fully serviced analytical facility.

You will be responsible for:

• Ensure the delivery of an excellent mass spectrometry service provision Inc. accurate mass (ESI, APCI), MALDI-MS.
• Operation, calibration and routine maintenance of a range of analytical techniques including but not limited to chromatography systems and hyphenated mass spectrometers.
• Liaison with academic and research staff including the interpretation and reporting of accurate and reliable data.
• Supervise, motivate and develop junior staff and University of Manchester technical apprentices.
• Implement, comply with and monitor all relevant health and safety requirements in the workplace in order for the University to meet its legislative requirements and duty of care to all staff, students and visitors.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• A qualification in a science or engineering-related subject area e.g. degree, HND, HNC, OR significant work experience in a relevant technical, engineering or scientific role.
• Substantial hands-on experience with mass spectrometry and chromatography equipment.
• Substantial knowledge of chemical nomenclature and experience of interpreting complex data.
• Ability to lead and deliver technical operations.
• Excellent knowledge, understanding and experience of implementing and applying relevant health and safety requirements in a science and engineering environment (e.g. risk assessments, operating procedures, COSHH assessments).

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of teaching and research operations gained from within a Higher Education setting.
• Line management / supervisory experience.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
• Purple Place employee discount platform

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Contract: Approximately 24 months. Precise contract length will be dependent on start date. Contract end date is fixed as Friday 29 September 2028.

Working arrangements: 35 hours per week. Due to the in-person requirements of this role, hybrid working is not feasible.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Dr Katherine Hollywood, Senior Technical Specialist Mass Spectrometry & Separations
Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

Jobtrain Client Support Hub

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.