Technical Manager - Analytical Services

University of York; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Open contract

Job summary

The Department of Chemistry at the University of York seeks a Technical Manager - Analytical Services to lead the CAF mass spectrometry, chromatography and elemental analysis services. You will ensure high-quality data delivery, guide users, and oversee day-to-day operations, QA, and safety.

You'll line manage technical staff, optimise workflows, and contribute to equipment purchases and service improvements in a premier academic environment.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant expertise in mass spectrometry and chromatography with operation and maintenance of high-value instruments.
• Ability to diagnose complex instrument issues and interpret results independently.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and safe lab practice.
• Experience managing a technical work area and prioritising workloads.
• Experience training staff and communicating complex information clearly.
• Experience preparing technical reports and supporting equipment procurement.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, and Elemental Analysis services.
• Provide specialist technical guidance on techniques, sample prep, methods, and interpretation of results.
• Line manage technical staff, allocate workloads, support performance and safety.
• Maintain QA and equipment performance through SOPs, maintenance and calibration.
• Monitor budgets, income, expenditure, and service usage data for cost recovery.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Chromatography

Analytical data interpretation

Lab troubleshooting

Health and safety knowledge

Education

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience

Tools

GC

HPLC

UHPLC

Job description

The Department of Chemistry is seeking a Technical Manager - Analytical Services (Grade 6) within the Chemistry Analytical Facility (CAF). The Chemistry Analytical Facility (CAF) delivers world-class instrumentation and specialist technical expertise to researchers within the Department of Chemistry, across the University of York, and to commercial and external academic partners. Bringing together seven complementary sub-facilities - including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and the Micro-Analysis Service - the CAF operates as an integrated, efficient platform that offers users a streamlined, one-stop service for advanced chemical analysis and characterisation.

The Department of Chemistry at the University of York is one of the UK's leading Chemistry departments and we are renowned internationally for our research. This is combined with a commitment to teaching and outstanding student satisfaction, and we have been recognised consistently for our family-friendly policies and are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award. As a Department we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups. We promote good practice and a strong culture of equality in higher education. As a signatory of the Technician Commitment, the University of York strongly supports technical career development, and part of this programme is the drive to recruit new talent into the technical profession in higher education

Role

The Technical Manager will manage the Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, and Elemental Analysis Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable and timely analytical data to support research, teaching and external collaborations. The role is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation of the services, maintaining high standards of quality assurance and laboratory safety. Core responsibilities include:

• Managing the day-to-day operation of the Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography and Elemental Analysis services, ensuring delivery of high-quality, reliable and timely analytical data

• Providing specialist technical advice and guidance to service users, including academic staff, researchers and students, on appropriate analytical techniques, sample preparation, method selection and interpretation of results

• Line managing and supervising technical staff, allocating workloads and supporting performance, training and safe laboratory practice

• Maintaining quality assurance and equipment performance through effective oversight of SOPs, maintenance and calibration

• Monitoring and managing allocated budgets, income and expenditure, and service usage data to support cost recovery processes

This post is available at 100% FTE on an open contract. Please note that flexible working patterns and job sharing opportunities will be considered.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• Undergraduate degree, or equivalent relevant experience

• Significant technical expertise in mass spectrometry and chromatography (e.g. GC, HPLC, UHPLC), with substantial experience in the operation, maintenance and optimisation of high-value analytical instrumentation within a research or multi-user environment

• Demonstrable ability to diagnose and resolve complex instrument and methodological issues independently, using well-developed analytical, problem-solving and IT skills

• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of relevant analytical techniques, together with a strong understanding of applicable health and safety legislation and safe laboratory practice

• Proven experience managing a technical work area, prioritising workloads to meet service demands and maintaining high standards of accuracy, reliability and timeliness

• Experience of training and advising students and staff in laboratory techniques and the use of complex instrumentation, with the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively

• Experience of preparing technical reports and documentation, contributing to equipment specification and procurement processes, and supporting the continuous improvement of technical services

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Hannah Briers (Deputy Technical Operations Manager) - [e-mail] or Dr Graeme McAllister (Head of Technical Operations - Chemistry, Environment and Geography) - [e-mail]