Specialist Technician

University of Bristol; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Bristol's School of Chemistry is seeking a Specialist Research Technician to provide expert technical support across Physical Chemistry and shared facilities. You will operate and maintain advanced analytical instrumentation, train researchers and help develop safe working practices on campus.

You will collaborate with academic staff, researchers and students to enable world-leading research while ensuring facilities are safe, reliable and available for use.

Qualifications

• Experience operating advanced analytical instrumentation in a research setting.
• Strong problem-solving skills and hands-on technical ability.
• Experience supporting laboratory users and delivering technical training.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks across facilities and stakeholders.
• Commitment to health and safety in laboratory environments.
• Interest in contributing to world-leading research.

Responsibilities

• Supporting research staff and students through operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of specialist analytical instrumentation.
• Managing and maintaining laboratory facilities to ensure equipment is safe, reliable and available for research use.
• Installing, commissioning and servicing scientific equipment and associated laboratory infrastructure.
• Training and advising researchers on the safe and effective use of specialist instrumentation.
• Working closely with academic staff to develop technical solutions that support research projects.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements through the development of safe working practices and documentation.

Skills

Advanced instrumentation

Problem solving

Training researchers

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Safety & compliance

Collaborative team player

Tools

Chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Gas handling systems

Vacuum systems

Job description

The School of Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Specialist Research Technician to provide expert technical support across a diverse portfolio of research activities within Physical Chemistry and shared research facilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to support internationally recognised research by working closely with academic staff, researchers and students across a range of disciplines including atmospheric chemistry, aerosol science, electrochemistry, colloid and formulation science, mass spectrometry, laser chemistry and materials research.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the operation, maintenance and development of specialist laboratory facilities and advanced analytical instrumentation. You will provide technical expertise to support research projects, manage laboratory equipment and infrastructure, develop safe working practices and train researchers in the effective use of specialist facilities.

This role is ideally suited to someone who enjoys solving technical challenges, working with complex scientific equipment and supporting cutting-edge research in a collaborative academic environment.

Please note due to the nature of the role we require the role holder to be based primarily on campus

What will you be doing?

• Supporting research staff and students through the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of specialist analytical instrumentation.
• Managing and maintaining laboratory facilities to ensure equipment is safe, reliable and available for research use.
• Installing, commissioning and servicing scientific equipment and associated laboratory infrastructure.
• Training and advising researchers on the safe and effective use of specialist instrumentation.
• Working closely with academic staff to develop technical solutions that support research projects.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements through the development of safe working practices and documentation.

You should apply if

• You have experience working with advanced scientific instrumentation in a research, technical or 3 years plus laboratory environment.
• You have strong practical problem-solving skills and enjoy diagnosing and resolving technical issues.
• You have experience supporting laboratory users and delivering technical training.
• You can manage a varied workload and work effectively with multiple stakeholders. You have a commitment to safe working practices and high-quality service delivery.
• You enjoy working collaboratively and want to contribute to world-leading research.
• Experience with chromatography, mass spectrometry or other analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with gas handling systems, vacuum systems or laboratory infrastructure.
• Experience supporting research laboratories or shared scientific facilities.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months (secondment cover)

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: G

School/Unit: School of Chemistry

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 25/10/26

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