Senior Chemical Labs Technician at Newcastle University

The Role

The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Chemical Labs Technician.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting the research activities in the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, through the provision of technical support within the chemical research labs, and in support of technical services within the Bedson Building.

The role holder will support the Chemical Labs Team Leader in the management of the chemical teaching and research facilities, and infrastructure by:

• Helping to manage shared laboratory areas, to allow users to work safely in a cohesive and collaborative environment.
• Support the preparation and delivery of taught practical classes and UG/PGT projects within the Chemistry labs..
• Working with facility users to ensure equipment is working safely and work to ensure items are repaired and tested to statutory and local requirements.
• Working with the team to help manage and run the chemistry stores, as well as the disposal of hazardous waste.
• Helping to manage the training and provision of gases and cryogens to the facility users and ensure systems are working safely.

The post holder will be:

• Capable of training and advising lab users on safe techniques and will work with users to ensure they are working safely and effectively.
• Confident and competent with Health and Safety management
• Capable of conducting their own experiments when required in line with teaching requirements and active research projects.

Key Accountabilities

• In conjunction with the technical team leader for the activity, be responsible for the day-to-day operation of specific facilities or pieces of equipment. To undertake fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on instrumentation under the roles responsibility
• To help manage shared laboratory spaces, working with PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students to allow for cohesive and collaborative work in a safe environment. To chair meetings as appropriate to achieve this
• To be responsible for the disposal of hazardous materials according to standard University procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments. In conjunction with the School safety officer monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements
• To train and advise staff and research students in appropriate laboratory techniques and good laboratory practice to ensure that they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner. To provide laboratory supervision and training for postgraduate and undergraduate project students and, occasionally, for other technical staff using the facilities to ensure safe working practices are followed
• In conjunction with the PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the School and University purchasing procedures. Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the technical team leader
• Where required, assist in active research projects and to help develop experiments and protocols for teaching, working with PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students as appropriate. 
• To inform academic staff of safety and legal compliance issues related to practical classes to be undertaken in the laboratory. Academic staff are responsible for the production of appropriate COSHH forms for their practical classes but these should be produced in liaison with the post-holder
• To test and modify (after consultation with the academic staff involved) proposed practical experiments to ensure that they are suitable for UG and PGT teaching. This to include design, develop, modify and construct apparatus from verbal instruction and sketches. Working with other areas at the school to achieve this. i.e. workshop / glassblower
• To prepare laboratory and equipment for practical classed and demonstrate experimental techniques where appropriate. An understanding of FT-IR, UV-VIS, fluorescence and NMR techniques and ability to explain and aid understanding of techniques and analysis of results
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

 The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical or research role
• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures including GCP and COSHH
• Excellent team working skills
• Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail
• Contribute to design and specification of research/teaching activities,
• Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research/teaching priorities
• A good theoretical and practical knowledge of Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry/
• Experience in synthetic, anaerobic and analytical techniques with experience of using gas systems.

Attributes and Behaviour

Team-working (Self)

• 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 (Self)

• Works in a planned and structured way
• Ensures that all activities are completed on time
• Ensures that others know how processes and systems work
• Can work autonomously and 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 (Self)

• 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 (Self)

• 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

• Apprenticeship in an appropriate subject with experience in a relevant technical role; or BTEC level 4 / HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles.

Desirable

• MChem or PhD in Chemistry