Senior Technician

Advert

Senior Technician
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We are looking for a Senior Technician to join the National Centre for Mental Health team in the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences.

In this role, you will:
- Carry out biomaterial sample processing and analyses maintain laboratory databases.
- Operate, maintain, service, adjust, test and repair complex equipment and apparatus.
- Have the opportunity to work closely with an established team of senior technicians/researchers.

We’d like to hear from you if you have:
- Substantial experience of working as a technician in a molecular biology laboratory.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication skills and a proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Please contact Alexandra Evans ([email protected]) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available immediately and fixed term until 31st March 2025 based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus.

Salary: £26,444 - £29,605 per annum (Grade 4).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

How we will support you in performing in this role – 

There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:

1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4.    A mentoring scheme

Date Advertised: 26 March 2024

Closing date: 16 April 2024

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.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University .

Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide comprehensive technical support to the National Centre for Mental Health and Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties
•    Following established guidelines train technical staff and students in technical procedures and in the use of equipment.
•    Set up experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting students and staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus and with tests and experiments.
•    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.
•    Carry out sample processing and analysis of biomaterial.
•    Undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with line management, and advise on options for improvement.
•    Support the Division in the implementation of new procedures and systems.

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

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Substantial experience of working as a technician in a molecular biology laboratory.
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 understanding.
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 delivery of a quality service.

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.    Degree or an equivalent qualification or equivalent work related experience.
2.    Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.
3.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 18232BR.

Job Category

Medical & Dental, Technical