COVID19 - Wastewater Testing Senior Technician

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COVID19 - Wastewater Testing Senior Technician (2 positions)
Cardiff School of Biosciences

We are seeking two Senior Technicians to work on the project entitled ‘Wastewater-Based Community-Level Surveillance of COVID-19 in Wales’ , funded by the Welsh Government.  The research focuses on a range of experiments and field surveys to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.

The successful applicants will work within Prof Andy Weightman’s research lab and wider Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics (MMI) Group at Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University.

This project is part of an exciting ongoing multidisciplinary collaboration between colleagues in the Schools of Biosciences, Engineering and Maths, coinvestigators at Bangor University and project partners at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) and Public Health Wales (PHW).

The project aims to develop a multi-tiered wastewater-based approach to monitor the levels of SARS-CoV-2 and other key diseased circulating within Wales.  We will focus on urban centres where the risk of transmission is greatest.  This surveillance programme directly complements on-going national testing programmes, community level self-reporting and collection of clinical case data.  The results of this project will be shared with our main stakeholders and more widely, and will potentially provide an early warning system protecting human health against spread of viral infection.

The appointees will work closely with other research staff engaged on the project and report directly to Prof Andy Weightman on behalf of the Project Management Team.  They will liaise with our collaborators in the partner organisations to undertake collaborative experiments.  Duties will primarily involve sample collection and preparation, undertaking some laboratory experimental work, recording and performing data analysis, reporting results and participation in research group meetings.

Candidates should be educated to A-level standard or equivalent in biology or a related subject, and/or have experience of working in a similar environment.  A higher level qualification, such as a BSc Degree or equivalent (or comparable work related experience) would be an advantage.  Other desirable criteria include an understanding of basic molecular microbiology and experience of water-related research.  An important part of the post will be to integrate within the existing MMI Group and work the wider project team.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Andy Weightman ([email protected])

This is a full time position (35 hours per week), fixed term until 31 May 2022. 

Salary: £22,417 - £26,715 per annum (Grade 4). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade  4.16, currently £22,417 per annum.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 21 July 2021

Closing date: Wednesday, 4 August 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

To provide a comprehensive provision of technical support for the SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Environmental Surveillance Project.

Key Duties

* Set up off-site sampling, and on-site experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting other research staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus and with tests and experiments
* Liaison with external project partners and contractors.
* Operate, maintain, service, adjust, test and repair complex equipment and apparatus
* Participate in the development, modification and construction of special equipment and apparatus
* Take responsibility for stock levels, security, maintenance and cleanliness of materials, apparatus and equipment within work area
* Record and perform detailed analysis on data, including responsibility for maintaining databases
* Undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with line management, and advise on options for improvement.
* Support the department in the implementation of new procedures and systems
* Following established guidelines train technical staff and students in technical procedures and in the use of equipment

General Duties

* Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
* Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
* Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include 9994BR within the filename.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience in biology or related subject

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2. Substantial experience of working as a technician
3. Specialist knowledge and experience of maintain, servicing and using appropriate equipment and apparatus
4. Ability to set up and review standard technical processes and procedures and recommend improvements to the service provision as appropriate

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

5. Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understating
6. Experience of supervising the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
7. Ability to train technical staff in laboratory procedures and in the use of equipment and instruments.
8. Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

9. Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available.
10. Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects.

Desirable Criteria

1. Knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and/or basic molecular microbiology
2. Experience in water-related research.
3. Degree or an equivalent qualification or equivalent work related experience
4. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
5. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral