Laboratory-based Technician

Applications are invited for the above permanent, part-time (up to 0.8 FTE) Laboratory-based Technician post, in the School of Psychology and Sport Science, College of Medicine and Health.
Duties will include, providing laboratory technical support across both Psychology and Sport Science disciplines in a range of psychology and physiology laboratories, used for teaching, research and recruitment activities. Duties will focus mainly on supporting laboratory activities within psychology and psychophysiology, as well as supporting sport science and other laboratory activities within the school as required by the Head of School, College Manager and/or Lead Technician. Candidates should be educated to foundation degree standard (or equivalent) and have previous experience of working in a busy psychology and/or sport psychology/sport science laboratory setting. Experience of using psycho-physiological laboratory-based equipment and procedures as well as data acquisition systems (e.g., Powerlab, BIOPAC, CED) are essential for this post.
An understanding of how physiological parameters can be used to support psychological research is essential. A willingness to learn new laboratory procedures and measures is essential. Experience of EEG, eye tracking, motion analysis and TMS systems are desirable. Some experience of working in a sport and exercise science laboratory setting is desirable. Interviews will take place, week beginning 20th of May.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence on the 1st of July 2024, but can be negotiated where necessary.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. 
This role will be located on campus at Bangor and split between our sites on College Road and Normal Site. Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a job share basis.

If you require further information about this role please contact Kevin Williams ([email protected] ; 01248388260).

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.
Closing date for applications: 29th April 2024.
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment.

The School of Psychology and Sport Science houses two of Bangor University’s high performing departments: the Department of Sport and Exercise Science and the Department of Psychology.
Our world-leading research spans elite performance, physical activity, health and applied human physiology, cognitive neuroscience, clinical interventions and psychological wellbeing.

The role-holder will play a key role in supporting laboratory activities related to teaching, research and recruitment within the School of Psychology and Sport Science.
The role will involve the provision of specialist technical support for laboratory-based teaching and recruitment activities, preparing and supervising classes, preparing laboratory spaces and equipment for student project work and staff research.
The role-holder will be expected to work independently and as part of a technical team that manage the school’s laboratory spaces and resources. The role holder will play an active role in maintaining a high standard of service delivery for our staff and students

• Manage laboratory bookings and prior training requirements for accessing laboratory facilities.
• Manage equipment loans for staff and students.
• Check and replenish stocks, order consumables and equipment in accordance with the University’s purchasing and procurement procedures.
• Perform calibrations and quality assurance checks, perform/organise routine maintenance for the school’s specialist laboratory equipment.
• Diagnose and repair faults where appropriate.
• Liaise with academic/research staff and the Lead Technician in planning technical provisions.
• Set-up laboratory spaces, equipment, and software for use in teaching, research and recruitment activities.
• Contribute to developing laboratory spaces and equipment to ensure that facilities are fit for purpose and operate effectively and professionally.
• Demonstrate laboratory testing procedures as part of practical teaching sessions and staff/student training sessions.
• Be involved with and support scientific measurements using research related equipment and methods.
• Clean and sterilise laboratory equipment, work tops and laboratory furniture where necessary.
• Ensure laboratory spaces are clean and tidy.
• Liaise with the IT Specialist Technicians, Design and Build Technicians, Programming Technicians and Lead Technician to solve complex or bespoke equipment set-ups.
• Liaise with external contractors/service providers.
• Provide technical support relating to laboratory-based IT resources, including initial set-ups and updating software and drivers (Windows and Mac).
• Monitor and maintain safe working practices and procedures.
• Contribute to developing standard operating procedures and risk assessments, under the supervision and guidance of the Lead Technician.
• Be a point of reference for staff and students with regards to technical equipment and laboratory processes and procedures.
• Contribute to the school’s live asset management system.
• Provide technical support where appropriate across the College of Medicine and Heath.
• Report building maintenance issues to Campus Services.
• Support routine site maintenance.
• Provide support relating to the delivery and installation of laboratory equipment.
• Liaise with Digital Services and Health and Safety Services where necessary.
• Provide First Aid/AED cover for the school. Attend Staff Forum/Away Days/Technical Forum/Laboratory Management meetings where requested. Liaise closely with other members of the Technical Team.
• Fault finding and fixing on computers and specialist laboratory equipment. Set up software and interfacing of laboratory equipment.

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her-self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Qualifications/Training

Essential
• Foundation Degree in Psychology or Sport and Exercise Science.

Desirable
• A postgraduate degree in Psychology or Sport and Exercise Science.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential
• Experience of working in a busy psychology, psychophysiology or sport science laboratory setting.
• Experience of conducting research projects in psychology, psychophysiology, or sport science.
• Experience of using psycho-physiological laboratory-based equipment and procedures as well as data acquisition systems (e.g., Powerlab, BIOPAC, CED).
• An understanding of how physiological parameters can be used to support psychological research.
• A willingness to learn new laboratory procedures and measures.
Desirable
• Experience of EEG, eye tracking, motion analysis and TMS systems.
• Experience of using Ultrasound, TCD and other doppler and imaging devices.
• Experience of using MATLAB, E-Prime or similar stimulus presentation and coding packages.
• Experience of updating operating systems, software and drivers on Windows and Mac based systems.
• Experience of using Windows and Mac based systems.
• Experience in statistical analyses and psychological research.
• Experience of using statistical packages e.g., SPSS, Excel, Matlab.
• Experience of using psychometric scales.
• Experience of supporting workshops or laboratory practicals.
• Some experience of working in a sport and exercise science laboratory setting.
• Experience of creating instruction manuals, standard operating procedures, and risk assessments.

Skills/Abilities Essential

Essential
• Excellent planning, record keeping and organisational skills.
• Good customer service skills, particularly the ability to empathise and convey technical information to non-technical people.
• Excellent IT and numeracy skills.
• Reliable, prompt and professional.
• The ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
• Self-motivation with the ability and initiative to work on their own and a willingness to seek help when necessary.
• Work on own initiative to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
Desirable
• Ability to teach practical/technical content.
• Ability to use VLE systems such as Blackboard.
• Ability to create practical teaching content.

Other

Essential
• Enthusiastic and flexible approach to work.
• A willingness to attend internal or external training/obtain new qualifications for new technical processes or procedures.
• Show initiative to solve problems independently.
• Commitment to ensure a safe working environment for staff and students.
• Comply with University procedures.
• The successful candidate will be required to lift, move, or carry laboratory equipment and computer equipment within Health and Safety guidelines.
Desirable
• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

The 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 strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. 

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. 

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas .   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.      

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.