Research and Instrumentation Technician

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time at 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing (i.e. permanent) position

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is excited to invite applications from highly motivated individuals to join our dynamic team as a Research and Instrumentation Technician.

You will play a key role in the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of a diverse range of cutting-edge advanced analytical and characterisation instruments within our School. Your responsibilities will cover delivering specialised instrumentation services, developing/refining experimental characterisation methodologies, and adeptly interpreting and conveying findings to support both teaching and research activities. You will provide guidance and training to users, including those from other Faculties and external sectors, thereby fostering a conducive working and learning atmosphere. Additionally, your active participation in our outreach and engagement initiatives will involve creating captivating demonstrations and presentations both on and off campus.

We offer an excellent prospect for career advancement with the chance to specialise in one or more critical instruments at our School. This presents a unique chance for you to enhance your skill set and contribute even more substantially to our institution's scientific pursuits.

Mōu | Who You Are
To excel in this role, you possess a Master's Degree (NZQA Level 9) in Chemistry or Biological Chemistry and bring valuable relevant experience from complex research laboratory environments, preferably within a tertiary setting. Your proficiency in quantitative analysis and data interpretation, led by precision and meticulousness, is complemented by your ability to work creatively and independently even in high-pressure scenarios. Your capacity to apply theoretical knowledge and employ critical thinking in unfamiliar research settings underscores your adaptability.

Your enthusiasm for scientific communication, coupled with exceptional collaborative aptitude, sets you apart. You relish challenges and possess an aptitude for inventive problem-solving and troubleshooting and are eager to contribute to the advancement of our research capabilities. Your familiarity with laboratory health and safety protocols, along with relevant legislation, demonstrates your commitment to assist in maintaining secure research environments.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū is a thriving community with a legacy spanning 150 years of academic excellence. Amongst the largest Schools within the University, we are driven by our collective commitment to search for innovative solutions that address the problems and challenges both within New Zealand and the World.

Our School boasts a vibrant tapestry of individuals, encompassing academic, technical, and administrative professionals from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. United by our shared purpose, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.

Immersed within the Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC), our laboratories thrive amidst state-of-the-art teaching and research infrastructure. Furthermore, our association with the broader university opens doors to other exceptional research and computational facilities, enhancing the depth of exploration.

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences offers a spectrum of majors including Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences. Our research endeavours are channelled through five central themes: Sustainability and the Environment, New Materials, Nanotechnology and Laser Physics, Energy and Storage, and Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as Human, Animal, and Plant Health.

By joining our collaborative tapestry, you will be a part of pioneering initiatives that shape the future of scientific discovery and leave an indelible mark on the world.

For more information about our team, please visit us at Physical and Chemical Sciences | University of Canterbury

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here .

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 8th October 2023 (midnight, NZ time)
Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.  

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role. If you hold a valid work visa and are physically present in New Zealand, then you may also be considered.