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Technical Specialist (Electron Microscopy) School of Metallurgy and Materials 104123 Grade 7

The University of Birmingham

Birmingham

On-site

GBP 36,000 - 47,000

Full time

Today

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Job summary

A leading university in England is seeking a Technical Specialist in Electron Microscopy to provide expert support and guidance in the operation of advanced electron microscopes. The candidate will manage technical staff, ensure compliance with health and safety protocols, and assist researchers with sample preparation and data generation. The position requires a strong background in electron microscopy and a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field. This full-time role offers a competitive salary range with potential for progression.

Qualifications

Experience in operating and maintaining electron microscopes, especially TEM.
Knowledge of sample preparation techniques for biological or material samples.
Demonstrated ability to work in compliance-based environments.

Responsibilities

Support FEM operations and users through electron microscopy.
Manage and mentor technical staff in a laboratory setting.
Contribute to health and safety compliance in the lab.

Skills

Electron Microscopy

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Technical Expertise

Problem Solving

Education

PhD or equivalent in related field

Tools

Transmission Electron Microscopes

Ultramicrotomes

Vacuum Systems

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36636 to 46049 with potential progression once in post to 48822

Grade: 7

Full Time Permanent

Background

The Facility for Electron Microscopy (FEM) is based within the School of Metallurgy and Materials and supports and provides access to state‑of‑the‑art equipment for more than 70 research groups across 3 Colleges at the University of Birmingham (Engineering & Physical Sciences; Life & Environmental Sciences; and the College of Medicine & Health) as well as to more than 20 external academic and industrial sites. FEM has over 200 individual users who we support to use our suite of ten electron microscopes, including three Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM). Other services provided include sample preparation, coating and cleaning, and specimen sectioning on ultramicrotomes.

Role Summary

The post holder will be a technical specialist for Electron Microscopy, in particular TEM, to provide technical expertise, support and guidance to users in the FEM to strengthen the service we offer. The post holder will support the FEM and its users through operation and maintenance of Electron Microscopes, sample preparation activities, training and supervision of users.

As a member of the technical team the post holder will assist in maintaining the FEM and its lab, which includes equipment such as scanning electron microscopes, transmission electron microscopes, micro‑CT systems, and ultramicrotomes, coating machines, and other sample preparation equipment.

The post holder will work closely with research staff and PhD students from the University of Birmingham as well as external universities and industrial and commercial contacts.

The post holder will not be carrying out their own research but will contribute to the success of research within the university through training and technical support. Where training is not feasible the post holder will operate the equipment to generate high‑quality data and images for both internal and external customers.

The post holder will contribute to safe operation of relevant equipment and services by ensuring that safety documents are updated and being followed by users and any statutory inspections are carried out. This will include safety systems for compressed air/gas, vacuum, pressure, cryogenics, cooling, ionising radiation and laser. The post holder will also perform duties associated with keeping the buildings safe and operational as advised by the Technical Manager and Building Superintendent.

The post holder will be line managed by the FEM Manager in the School of Metallurgy and Materials. The post holder will supervise and line‑manage other technical staff.

The post holder will be required to lead on daily, weekly and monthly tasks without daily supervision and to lead on projects with medium to longer‑term horizons. They may be involved in monitoring research and will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant senior staff.

The post holder will need an in‑depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental design, and will be able to use their knowledge and experience to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems and proactively suggest solutions to issues. The post holder may need to operate outside normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

The successful candidate will be expected to line‑manage, supervise and mentor Technical Staff as well as providing guidance to Postgraduate Students and Post‑Doctoral Researchers and will provide necessary information to ensure compliance with local standard operating procedures and all Health and Safety policies.

Main Duties

Support the FEM and its users through specialist operation and maintenance of transmission electron microscopes and the related sample preparation.
Line‑manage other members of technical staff.
Assist in managing the laboratory areas including Health & Safety responsibilities.
Use knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on experimental techniques being used by researchers and/or communicate with colleagues at a range of levels.
Contribute to effective knowledge transfer in the context of user training/teaching new users and presenting at technical and scientific meetings/workshops for knowledge/skill exchange.
Diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions regarding techniques and solving mechanical, electronic or vacuum issues in collaboration with service engineers to minimise downtime.
Carry out work with a large amount of autonomy.
Proactively manage and maintain the equipment, including measuring ionising radiation, maintaining vacuum systems, filter changes and instrument calibration.
Organise disposal of waste materials through the correct processes.
Ethically diagnose and resolve problems, proactively identifying solutions and acting as an escalation point.
Develop cutting‑edge services and systems to anticipate and meet customers’ needs and improve the available facilities.
Maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures carried out and for any other research activities involved.
Contribute to internal and external audit procedures and regulatory inspections.
Comply with and promote safe operating procedures for the area, including classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances.
Advise and train staff, students, apprentices and internal/external visitors in the safe operation of general equipment as appropriate.
Manage IT systems administration with operations including file transfer, scheduled backups and long‑term archiving of data.

Health and Safety Management

Knowledge of the regulations and safety implications of dealing with vacuum, pressure, cryogenics, ionising and laser radiation.
Ensure regular maintenance processes are carried out and appropriate records are maintained.
Responsible for ensuring all facility users comply with all University/College Health & Safety regulations, including COSHH assessments and approvals.
Write and maintain Risk Assessments, COSHH assessments and Standard Operating Procedures in line with relevant policies.
Report any breaches or non‑compliance with Health and Safety procedures to the Health and Safety Coordinator and/or College Health and Safety Manager.
Ensure correct waste disposal protocols for laboratory, recycled and general waste as governed by the College and local policy.
Proactively assist with the implementation of carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.

Facilities Management

Manage consumables orders linked to each project and generate purchase order requisitions as required.
Support equipment purchases for the FEM, assess needs for new equipment and arrange necessary alterations.
Manage large equipment deliveries, collaborating with suppliers and shippers to arrange adequate resources for offloading and transport into the building.
Receive and correctly store consumables and chemical reagents.
Ensure facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition and report any problems through appropriate channels.
Assist the FEM Manager in identifying and tracking items held on the University Asset Register.

Finance Procurement and Purchasing

Identify issues with orders, invoices and/or suppliers and take appropriate corrective action on own initiative.
Ensure all financial rules and procedures are followed and assist others in learning these systems.
Assist the FEM team in arranging and following up contract work for external customers using facilities and equipment.

People Management

Work with the FEM Manager to ensure that goals and objectives for staff support the delivery of a quality, customer‑focussed service.
Prioritise and allocate work to meet day‑to‑day needs and future planning across different projects.
Check on quality of work and customer feedback.
Undertake supportive interventions where staff are not meeting objectives.
Line‑manage other members of technical staff, conduct Personal Development Reviews, one‑to‑one meetings and support general staff development.

General

Represent the team when liaising with a variety of other University departments.
Support emergency call‑outs.
Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of colleagues internal and external to the College, including contractors and suppliers.
Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.
Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade.

General Administration and Organisation

Ensure all records are accurate and kept up to date.
Proactively maintain stocks of consumables and generate purchase order requisitions when required.
Receive and correctly store consumables, equipment, chemical reagents and other materials.
Ensure facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition and report any problems through appropriate channels.
Ensure PAT testing, calibration of equipment and centrally held inventories are up to date, including asset registers.
Adopt a proactive attitude toward implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Hold or be close to the completion of a PhD degree or equivalent qualification relevant to the discipline or equivalent workplace experience.
Practical experience in operating and maintaining electron microscopes including TEMs.
Extensive experience, specialist knowledge and refined skills in transmission electron microscopy and dual‑beam microscopes.
Knowledge and practical experience of TEM sample preparation procedures for at least one of biological samples or material samples: techniques include chemical fixation, dehydration, resin embedding, ultramicrotome sectioning, staining, mechanical cutting and grinding, electrolytic polishing and ion milling.
A proven high level of instrumentation experimentation and analytical capability.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Fluency in relevant techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
Demonstrable ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
Demonstrable understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
Proven ability to contribute to the planning and organising of work in a laboratory scientific facility or project.
Demonstrable ability to coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and ability to ensure that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Significant experience of working in a compliance‑based organisation.
Significant knowledge of working within a research and scientific environment and demonstrable relevant technical skills.
Ability to work without supervision but function as part of a team.
Experience of working collaboratively as part of a wider team to deliver operational or strategic goals.
Practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods including vacuum systems, pressure systems, electrical and gas control systems.
Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of working practices and requirements.
Ability to devise solutions and develop creative approaches to problem solving.
Understanding of 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.