Specialist Technician

1000scholars; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Bristol’s School of Chemistry seeks a Specialist Research Technician to provide expert technical support across a diverse range of analytical instrumentation and shared facilities. The role emphasizes operation, maintenance, safety, and collaboration with academic staff, researchers, and students on projects spanning atmospheric chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science.

The successful candidate will manage equipment, contribute to safe working practices, and train

Qualifications

• Experience handling advanced scientific instrumentation in a research/technical environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues.
• Experience training researchers and supporting laboratory users.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and work with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot specialist analytical instrumentation.
• Maintain laboratory facilities and ensure equipment safety, reliability and availability for research use.
• Install, commission and service scientific equipment and related infrastructure.
• Train researchers on safe and effective use of specialist facilities.
• Collaborate with academic staff to develop technical solutions for research projects.
• Develop safe working practices and documentation to ensure health and safety compliance.

Skills

Advanced instrumentation handling

Problem solving

Training researchers

Stakeholder management

Tools

Chromatography systems

Mass spectrometry

Gas handling systems

Vacuum systems

Job description

The role

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 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.

Desirable

• 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)

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

For informal queries please contact:

Charlotte Edom-Hodge, Head of Operations Email: [e-mail]

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

Available documents

• SUPP113771 - Specialist_Technician - JD.pdf

£32,080 to £35,608. Grade G, per annum