Technician (Education)

Updated: about 20 hours ago
Location: Harrow N W and S, ENGLAND
Deadline: 20 May 2024

Job id: 088965. Salary: £29,248 - £32,181 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 03 May 2024. Closing date: 20 May 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Education Operating Services.

Contact details:Hatice Salih. [email protected]

Location: Guy's Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.


Job description

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine (FoLSM) has an exciting opportunity for a Technician to join the Centre for Education. The post holder will have a great opportunity to be part of a team helping to deliver world class practical education and enhancing the student experience. FoLSM is an ambitious and forward-thinking Faculty, with an outstanding reputation across a range of disciplines in Life Sciences and Medicine. The post holder will be a technician who will support large scale practical teaching in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. They will have some knowledge of delivering practical education in the life sciences or similar disciplines. 

The role will be based on Guy’s and Waterloo campuses and will consist of periodic rotations between the faculties different teaching departments, to build individual skills, experience and departmental resilience. The role holder will work with a team of technicians, line managed by a Senior Technician. They will have a good understanding of health and safety regulations and the environmental impacts of laboratory work.

This is a dual role where the post holder will be expected to take on projects over the summer months at the discretion of their line manager. These projects will have the goal of enhancing practical education delivery in the department.

This is an excellent opportunity to support innovation and sustainability in teaching activities, and have a significant impact on student experience and success. 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.

This is a full-time role - 100% full time equivalent.


Key responsibilities
  • Provide a range of technical support to established service standards, using accurate record keeping and data analysis skills, applying knowledge to new areas as required. Use technical or practical skills and have a well-developed working knowledge of technical/ scientific practices and procedures. 
  • Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year. 
  • Maintain service facilities ensuring efficient use of resources, installing, maintaining, and securing technical equipment systems and software and controlling associated stocks/store, equipment, and supplies. 
  • Work to an agreed work plan and day-to-day objectives set by the line manager(s)/ supervisor. Prioritise work, deal with activities/ enquiries/ incidents as and when they arise, working independently without reference to a line manager or supervisor, using standard procedures and initiative.
  • Resolve routine and complex problems that arise in the local service using established guidance to put in place mechanisms to minimise future problems.
  • Use accurate record keeping and data analysis skills to interpret and evaluate routine data. Support less experienced colleagues in making day-to-day local operational decisions.
  • Work with colleagues and network as agreed by the line manager(s). Form a network of contacts to provide support and share best practice.
  • Build working relationships with School staff, students, and key partners, to coordinate activities in a timely and effective manner. Demonstrate and advise staff and students on techniques as appropriate. Communicate information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing.
  • Contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures.
  • Implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following the King’s sustainability audit process, where appropriate. Collaborate with colleagues to share good practice and support wider sustainable initiatives and suggest new ideas where you see that improvements could be made.
  • Understand the regulations and university policies governing the service, using safe working practices, and suggesting improvements to line manager(s) in order to reduce risks, including negative environmental impacts. Report accidents/ incidents to line manager(s)/ supervisor.
  • Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working with academic, research and other professional services staff and colleagues external to King’s.
  • Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.


Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

  • Minimum level 3 qualification, e.g. A levels, AS levels, International Baccalaureate diploma or other Level 3 qualification, plus work experience in a relevant technical/scientific post(s) OR Knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts. 
  • Evidence of an active commitment to skills and knowledge development through vocational training and on-the-job experience. 
  • Knowledge of a range of technical or practical skills and procedures and their impact on the environment. Ability to apply learnt techniques to the work context.
  • Clear spoken and written communication skills, with competent computer use and strong interpersonal and influencing/ behavioural skills. 
  • Solutions-focused self-starter, with good prioritisation and organisational skills. 
  • Flexible team worker who is responsive to colleagues. 
  • An understanding of Health & Safety regulations governing area of work, particularly relating to laboratory waste disposal and recycling. 
  • Desirable criteria

  • Evidence of a commitment to professional development, including professional registration, such as RSciTech and a willingness to learn new techniques. 
  • The role will occasionally require work in Home-Office licenced regulated laboratories and working with tissues derived from this. 
  • This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.



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