Senior Technician (Glassblowing)

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.    

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.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.    

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here. 

The Role and the Department      

Working as part of the Chemistry Technical team, the post holder will provide expert scientific glassblowing support. The Glassblowing Workshop supplies a glassblowing service to teaching and research laboratories mainly within the Chemistry department, but also across all of the science departments. This involves creating bespoke scientific glass apparatus and repairing existing glassware. This is performed for a variety of users of the service, with each job being tailored to the user’s specific needs. The users include undergraduates, postgraduates, fellow technicians and academic staff. The workshop also supplies support to industry and external stakeholders.

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:         

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year. 
• 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.  
• 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).  
• 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.   
• 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.   
• We offer generous pension schemes.       

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.     Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2.     BSSG Standard of Competence or other relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.

3.     Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.  

4.     Extensive experience of relationship building and ability to turn opportunities into long-term knowledge exchange and collaboration.  

5.     Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.  

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6.     Good 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 digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.

8.     Committed to continuing professional development.

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

10.  Professional knowledge and expertise in the glassblowing technical specialism, and the application of these skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.  

11.  Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision glassblowing technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific, technical and creative equipment related to this discipline.

Desirable Criteria

12. Experience of working in a team.  

13. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.  

14. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research project working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment. 

15. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance.  

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.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  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 during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails        

What you are required to submit:   

• A CV    
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification     

Contact details       

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Malcolm Richardson would be happy to speak to you. ([email protected])

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the glassblowing service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the glassblowing service.
• Share technical glassblowing knowledge and expertise to support researchers and colleagues across the university.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues brought to the glassblowing service and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and make suggestions to improve the glassblowing service.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately to provide reports.
• Manage, maintain and monitor equipment, facilities, and systems in the glassblowing workshop to ensure safety, security and compliance.
• Contribute towards the completion of specialist risk assessments and help to resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.

Planning and Organising

•  Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence.
• Seek feedback from stakeholders to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.

Teaching and Learning Support

• Commission, construct and setup test glassware for experimental scenarios and practical sessions.
• Construct, test and repair glassware used for research and teaching primarily in the Chemistry Department but also across the Faculty of Science.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and advice in the glassblowing field to solve problems and help shape the delivery of teaching, learning and research outcomes.
• Setup, demonstrate, instruct and supervise the use and operation of specialist pieces of equipment.
•  Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks related to basic glassblowing techniques.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers
• Build relationships with contractors and third-parties to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

·         Any other reasonable duties.

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.