Senior Experimental Officer (X-Ray Crystallography)

The University      

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.      

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.     

Further information about the University can be found here.    

The Role and Department   

The role holder will act as a technical expert assisting the Service Manager in all aspects of X-Ray Crystallography in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University.

The X-Ray Crystallography Service is housed in a purpose-built suite with a range of state-of-the-art instruments. The X-Ray Crystallography Service provides support and advice in structural chemistry to a wide range of internationally leading research groups spanning synthetic organic and inorganic synthesis, chemical biology, supramolecular and macromolecular chemistry. An overview of research within the Department of Chemistry can be found at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry/research/. In addition, the service also offers a flexible and responsive service to industry and external stakeholders with local and national companies, to develop the impact of our research base outside academia. The service also provides X-ray crystallography provision for undergraduate research projects and advanced teaching laboratories, thus providing a central research and teaching facility that supports all our research, teaching and impact activities.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.      

Working at Durham       

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:       

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.    
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).  
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.  
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.   
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.  
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).  
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.  
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.   
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.   
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.     

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.       

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct, At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.      

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role .   

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    

Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience in X-Ray crystallography service provision).

 2. Experienced X-ray crystallography practitioner who has led teaching/research project working within and educational, commercial or industrial environment.

3. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of X-Ray crystallography service users and external customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

4. Experience of maintaining and troubleshooting X-ray diffractometers in relation to a service and the ability to undertake routine maintenance.

5.  Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and to positively influence the University’s reputation.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally

7. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications.

8. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

9. Expert knowledge and expertise in X-ray crystallography, and the application of skills to create, build, construct, maintain and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.

10. Ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.

Desirable Criteria       

11. Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations, local and national. 

12. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety.

13. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

14. Experience in powder diffraction methods.  

How to Apply    

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).      

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.           

Submitting your application       

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.       

What you need to submit     

• A CV: and      
• A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. 

Contact details           

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact [email protected].    

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating X-ray crystallography in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from colleagues and service users with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources related to X-ray crystallography.
• Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results in the X-ray crystallography service and all areas of your work.
• Identify any learning needs that should be met by the X-ray crystallography service and design activities and arrange any training.
• Oversee specialist risk assessments and safety procedures and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise particularly with a focus on ionising radiation.

Planning and Organisation

• Provide specialist advice to resolve technical problems, plan projects and continually develop and improve the X-ray crystallography service.
• Seek feedback from service users and key stakeholders so that the X-ray crystallography service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Teaching and Learning Support

• Design, build, maintain and repair complex, specialist teaching and research apparatus, equipment, instruments, systems and appliances relevant to the X-ray crystallography service, including the identification of problems, troubleshooting and repair.
• Apply maintenance schedules to ensure the safe and efficient use of technology, facilities and services to teaching, research and learning activities.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality X-ray crystallography service to ensure teaching, research and knowledge exchange outputs.
• Record, monitor and collate information to analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.
• Be responsible for the design, set-up, maintenance and integrity of teaching, research and learning facilities, technology and resources within a specialist area.
• Supervise service users when using the X-ray crystallography service.
• Support the delivery of undergraduate and post graduate teaching and learning activities, and income generation, where appropriate.
• Contribute to the planning, design and delivery of research outputs and prepare innovative teaching/research proposals.

Communication/Liaison

• Provide specialist advice and guidance on University health and safety and compliance issues, with a specific focus on ionising radiation.
• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Collaborate with internal and external academics, industry and technical specialists to support the delivery of teaching and research projects and to contribute to the generation of external income.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where appropriate.
• Meet the development needs of your stakeholders providing training when required.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Contribute to promotional events and presentations at conferences.

·       Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links      

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.           

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.