Newcastle University
What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.
Salary: £23,144 to £24,285 with progression to £26,396 per annum
Closing Date: 15 September 2022
The Role
We are looking for someone to join a team of Chemical and Biological Technicians who support our laboratories, facilities and associated equipment within the Discipline of Chemical Engineering.
We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.
Our highly skilled and professional technical colleagues are essential to supporting the delivering of successful research and teaching to an international standard within the School and Faculty. We have approximately 80 technicians employed within the School of Engineering working on our campuses and off-site facilities across the North East of England. We have expertise that spans a wide range of disciplines that make a fundamental contribution towards Newcastle University’s aims.
As a Chemical Laboratory Technician you will be responsible for providing laboratory technical support for academic staff, research staff and students within the Chemical Engineering Laboratories in the School of Engineering.
The post holder will provide laboratory technical support for academic staff, research staff and students within the Chemical Engineering Laboratories within the School of Engineering.
We are looking for candidates with a can-do attitude, who are from a Chemical and/or Biological background and have a passion in providing Technical Support in our Chemical Engineering Laboratories at Newcastle University.
What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.
We’re celebrating 150 years of Science, Agriculture and Engineering . Although a huge amount has changed over the last 150 years, one thing has stayed the same: our commitment to making a difference. We’re educating the next generation of experts and tackling the biggest challenges facing our planet. Our innovative work has always focused on making a difference to people’s lives, and you can be part of it.
To apply, please complete an online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role and evidence this with examples.
For informal enquiries, please contact Rob Dixon, Technical Team Leader by e-mail at [email protected]
Key Accountabilities
- To monitor the satisfactory operation of laboratory equipment, reporting any defects to the relevant senior technician or technical team leader. Carry out preventive maintenance of equipment and instruments in the relevant laboratory areas. Operation and operational maintenance of equipment and instruments for research and teaching purposes
- Support the operation of the laboratories to ensure effective use and availability for teaching and research. Assistance in the training of academic, technical and research staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students in specific laboratory techniques and the use and application of equipment and instruments
- Be responsible for keeping up to date with relevant Health and Safety legislation, codes of practice and regulations ensuring safe handling, storage and disposal of materials in accordance with local rules and legal requirements, including risk assessments and any other statutory or local safety arrangements
- Support core building technical services, including lab coat laundry, stores, waste disposal, gas and cryogenics, facilities maintenance
- Contribute to regular team meetings, health and safety meetings and laboratory audits
- Determine laboratory requirements, and ensure adequate availability of chemicals, materials and equipment for laboratory activities that the post-holder is supporting; and for initiating purchase orders to ensure sufficient stocks of these items
- Develop and modify experiments, apparatus and instruments from verbal instructions to protocols and techniques to ensure the completion of experimental practical’s and projects
- Planning and progress of experimental work after consultation with academic, senior technical, research staff and students
- The testing and fault diagnosis of apparatus and analytical instrumentation using precision testing equipment, manufacturer’s instructions, diagrams and manuals. Maintaining up to date records
- Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, Skills And Experience
- Relevant post apprenticeship work experience in a relevant technical role
- Thorough working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety procedures, and experience of safe waste management within a workshop or laboratory environment
- Excellent team working and communication skills
- Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
- Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines with a positive and proactive approach to duties and attention to detail
- Contribute to design and specification of technical and laboratory equipment to support teaching and research activities
- Flexible attitude and the ability to adapt to changes both in workload priorities and working locations
- Experience of working in a Chemical Laboratory environment, and using laboratory equipment
Attributes and Behaviour
Team-working
- Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
- Shares relevant and useful information with others
- Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different
- Willing to help others and share workloads
Planning and Organising
- Works in a planned and structured way
- Ensures that all activities are completed on time
- Ensures that others know how processes and systems work
- Set own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives
Finding Solutions
- Looks at ways of overcoming obstacles rather than coming to a standstill
- Keeps an open mind to alternative ways of doing things
Delivering Services
- Keeps fellow team members up to date with progress
- Pays attention to detail
- Has a positive attitude for doing things better
- Takes responsibility for achieving own targets
- Co-operates with others to achieve targets
- Strives to deliver high quality results
- Is enthusiastic in getting job done on time
Embracing Change
- Recognises the need for change and is forward looking. Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas. Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements
Qualifications
- National Certificate in Science (or Equivalent Level 3 Qualification) or equivalent relevant technical experience
Desirable
- Higher National Certificate in Science (or Equivalent Level 4 Qualification)
The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 21701
To apply for this job please visit jobs.ncl.ac.uk.