Experimental Officer in Biological Chemistry

11901BR

Cardiff School of Chemistry

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

Advert

Experimental Officer in Biological Chemistry
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University

The School of Chemistry is seeking to appoint a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual as an Experimental Officer. The post holder will be responsible delivery of efficient and effective high-level experimental support to academic and research staff based in the Biological Chemistry section of the School, providing professional advice and guidance on Biological Chemistry experimental processes and procedures, whilst also overseeing the day-to-day management and safe operation of the Biological Chemistry laboratories. The successful candidate will be an effective team player and committed to seeking constant improvement and a willingness to undertake training and development.

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact Dr R Jenkins, Deputy School Manager ([email protected]; 029 2087 6750) or  Dr M Akhtar, School Manager ([email protected]; 029 2087 0680).

For further details about working in Cardiff University please contact: Ms Alison Blake ([email protected]; 029 2087 4805).

This full-time (35 hours per week), open-ended position is available immediately.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number 11901BR: 

Salary: £33,797 - £40,322 per annum (Grade 6).

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 11901BR 

Date advert posted: Thursday, 15 July 2021

Closing date: Thursday, 12 August 2021

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

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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. 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

Job Purpose

Support the School of Chemistry in the area of Biological Chemistry, carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support and leading projects within this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties

•    Provide professional advice and guidance on Biological Chemistry experimental processes and procedures to internal and external customers that will have institute wide impacts, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual ideas are understood;

•    Take responsibility for resolving issues independently that arise in the Biological Chemistry Section when they fall within set role objectives;

•    Investigate and analysis specific issues within the Biological Chemistry Section, creating recommendation reports, supported by advances within Biological Chemistry;

•    Ensure that the provision of specific laboratory techniques related to Biological Chemistry are delivered to the institution, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements;

•    Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required;

•    Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve the School of Chemistry’s objectives;

•    Plan and deliver specific small scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed;

•    Develop and deliver training in specific laboratory techniques related to Biological Chemistry including chemical synthesis, biosynthetic procedures, chemical and biochemical purification;

•    Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the Biological Chemistry Section including the writing of risk assessments and COSHH form management;

•    Oversee the day-to-day management and safe operation of the Biological Chemistry laboratories and supervise and instruct members of this section;

•    Instruct and guide other employees across the University within specific laboratory techniques in the field of Biological Chemistry;

•    Support academic members of staff from the Biological Chemistry section in the preparation of grant applications;

•    To act as the School of Chemistry Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) and to deputise for the School SHEW officer as and when required.

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, Diversity & Inclusion;

•    Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.    Degree/ NVQ 6 or equivalent Professional membership/experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.    Experience in Biological Chemistry and the safe management of Biological Chemistry laboratories

3.    Able to demonstrate professional knowledge in all types of Biological Chemistry experimental techniques from Synthetic Chemistry to Molecular Biology 

4.    Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures in Biological Chemistry as referred to in 3 above

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

5.    Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people, including constructive negotiations with instrument vendors and instrument service engineers.

6.    Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered

7.    Proven ability to develop networks and independent new research programmes in Biological Chemistry in order to contribute to long term developments

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

8.    Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions

9.    Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within the Biological Chemistry arena

10.    Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short term project teams

Desirable Criteria

1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level in Biological Chemistry or a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

2.    Experience of protein chemistry and enzymology

3.    Evidence of ability to provide leadership to colleagues

4.    A record of attracting external funding

5.    Ability to interact and negotiate constructively with instrument vendors and instrument service engineers

6.    Proven ability of a strong academic track record and to publish in high-impact journals

7.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

Job Category

Management & Executive