Senior Laboratory Support Technician - School of Chemistry - 103735 - Grade 5

You will work as part of a team to provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research laboratory support to designated laboratories and/or researchers operating in the School of Chemistry, with a particular focus on Physical and Analytical Chemistry research and instrumentation. You will be expected to act as a good team member, assisting colleagues when asked and being open to new challenges and activities. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures and will be expected to train and advise others as appropriate.

You will need an in-depth understanding of the techniques and experimental protocols in the wider area of Physical and Analytical Chemistry research, with a solid technical background in building and maintaining instrumentation. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. The wide range of instrumentation in the School of Chemistry includes but is not limited to vacuum equipment (ultrahigh to low vacuum), lasers, cryogenics, and further specialist or custom equipment, and the main duties listed below cover anticipated responsibilities regarding the instrumentation.

An ideal candidate would have knowledge of the main duties listed below prior to taking on the role, but technical training courses or specialist training on bespoke instrumentation will be made available as necessary.

In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

• You will be responsible for providing technical support to the research activities in the School of Chemistry, with a particular focus on Physical and Analytical Chemistry research and instrumentation development.


• You will use your mechanical workshop knowledge to perform simple mechanical jobs such as milling, turning, drilling, soldering, grinding, etc.


• You will use your electronics knowledge to perform simple electronics repairs, troubleshooting, maintenance and development jobs such as soldering, making or fixing cables, simple circuits troubleshooting, etc.


• You will be expected to help researchers in cleaning, maintaining and fixing mechanical vacuum pumps (rotary pumps and scroll pumps).


• You will use your vacuum technology knowledge to help maintaining and setting-up simple high- and ultrahigh vacuum lines and manifolds by choosing the right type of vacuum flanges and fittings standards (KF, ISO, CF), vacuum components (valves, flanges, translators, connectors, etc.) and pumps (turbomolecular, ionic).


• You will be helping researchers in setting up and performing the bake-out of vacuum systems as well as troubleshooting vacuum manifolds by leak checking.


• You will provide support with basic cryogenic tasks such as filling pressurized cryogenic dewars (liquid nitrogen and liquid helium) and using these to fill or top-up liquid nitrogen and liquid helium bath cryostats integrated in sophisticated analytical vacuum instrumentation. You will be expected to be familiar with the basic aspects of helium recovery.


• You will help researchers in setting up and maintaining simple gas handling and dosing lines (e.g. with Swagelok components).


• You will carry out general lab maintenance work for basic instrumentation such as precision balances, ultrapure water units, gas supply, etc.


• You will be responsible for assisting in managing experimental equipment and laboratories.


• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.


• You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.


• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.


• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.


• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.


• Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the experimental areas you will be operating in.


• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.


Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.


• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.


• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.


• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).


• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.


• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.


• The post holder will be trained in general chemical safety, cryogenics, laser safety, safe use of gas cylinders and other areas as required.


• The post holder will provide support to the School's Laser Safety Officer.


General Administration and Organisation

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.


• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.


• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.


• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.


• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.


• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.


• Maintain an online technical support-based laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant research lab databases/records.


Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.


• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.


• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.
  
  Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.


• GCSE level 2 (A- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.


• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.


• Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.


• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.


• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.


• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.


• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.


• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.


• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.


• Understands 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.


Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community, with over 110 academic and research staff, 25 professional services staff and over 600 students. With a strong focus on its three main research themes, energy, sustainability and health, and a number of interdisciplinary interest groups, the School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; indeed, major investment from the University for a state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences research building and a new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened September 2018) that is revolutionising how we teach undergraduate practical chemistry, means we are entering an exciting period. We provide an inclusive and supportive environment where we strive to support every member of staff in realising their career potential., We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy . You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .