RCL Technician

Location:  East Kilbride 

Job Purpose      

To provide technical assistance, maintenance and laboratory support to academic research and commercial radiocarbon projects. To support the smooth and effective running of the SUERC Radiocarbon Laboratory in line with the SUERC research strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Provide technical support by undertaking sample preparation and analysis for academic and commercial projects within the specified discipline of Radiocarbon Dating.

2.  Carry out a range of technical support activities including the use of specialist equipment, systems, procedures, protocols, and techniques.

3.  Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the laboratory and ensure an excellent experience for all radiocarbon laboratory submitters.

4.  Contribute to the creation and development of new technical resources and ways of working as directed by relevant senior staff.

5.  Identify, propose, and implement technical solutions to a range of practical problems.

6.  Keep clear and accurate records of research outputs and where relevant, produce concise written summaries of results for senior staff.

7.  Analyse and interpret data using standard procedures and present findings accurately.

8.  Contribute to the safe and well-organised functioning of the radiocarbon laboratory by maintaining laboratory areas appropriately, identifying and resolving technical issues.

9.  Ensure that consumable supplies are monitored, raising order requests as required.

10. Comply with relevant Health and Safety (H&S) and other specialist legal requirements reporting any potential issues to senior Radiocarbon staff and the SUERC H&S Manager.

11. Adhere to existing COSHH risk assessments and contribute to the development of new COSHH assessments for novel or updated processes.

12. Ensure that Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) Bronze Award principles are maintained and progressed.

13. Work collaboratively with others, including external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of SUERC and the University.

14. Provide guidance for visiting researchers or students in the best use and operation of technical resources.

For employment at Grade 5:

15. Identify any trends, problems or anomalies in data, and present findings clearly to senior research staff.

16. Suggest ideas and implement agreed proposals for experimental strategies and make a full contribution to weekly lab meetings.

17. Design and create experiments, systems, protocols, equipment, and/or other technical resources to support the delivery of research objectives.

18. Keep up to date with developments in the technical aspects and applications of radiocarbon dating to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 [National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Knowledge of stable isotope and/or Radiocarbon Dating analysis and applications.

A3 Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation/policies.

For employment at Grade 5:

A4 Good demonstrable practical knowledge of an applied science.

A5 Understanding in the applications of radiocarbon dating.

A6 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 or 8 [National 5, HNC/HND, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3 or 4] or equivalent or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

Desirable

B1 A degree (awarded or not) in a relevant subject, such as Chemistry or Earth or Environmental Science, or equivalent experience.

Skills and Experience

Essential

C1 Demonstrable technical skills aligned to having good manual dexterity and the ability to handle small samples.

C2 Experience of working in a chemistry laboratory or similar.

C3 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand changing technical requirements.

C4 Strong IT skills and experience of commonly used software packages such as Word and Excel.

C5 Ability to plan and prioritise daily workload to meet any deadlines set by senior staff members.

C6 Ability to work independently and within a team to resolve problems/issues in the radiocarbon laboratory.

C7 Accurately complete all paperwork spreadsheets and enter data into the laboratory’s database.

For employment at Grade 5:

C8 Specialist technical skills aligned with those required within radiocarbon dating laboratory operations (including vacuum line technical skills).

C9 Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

C10 Experience planning and prioritising a range of technical work to meet competing demands.

C11 Ability to advise and assist staff, students and visiting researchers in development of chemical procedures for analysing carbon samples.

Desirable

D1 Experience with analytical instrumentation [e.g. spectrometry /chromatography techniques, HPLC].

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4/5, £22,681 - £25,138/£25,138 - £29,605 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term for up to 3 years 6 months in the first instance.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

3 A flexible approach to working.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/

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