Technical Manager (Health and Safety and Research Services)

Job Title:   Technical Manager (Health and Safety and Research Services)

Department:   Chemistry

Grade:  Grade 7  

Salary range:  £35,333 - £42,155 per annum

Working arrangements:   Full time, 35 hours per week 

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   

Technical Manager for Health and Safety and Research Services in the Department of Chemistry, contributing to the development of internationally excellent teaching and research.

The post holder is responsible for developing, supporting and managing aspects of the Chemistry Department’s research support services, and providing support to both the Department and the University on specific chemical safety matters. This involves overseeing existing departmental policies on Health and Safety and contribute to the development of future policies. The post additionally entails responsibility for:

• ensuring that hazardous waste is managed in line with departmental policy
• the safe operation of new high-pressure chemistry techniques and equipment (plus associated method development) in the High Pressure Laboratory (HPL)
• management of the Solvent Purification System (SPS)
• to ensure the supply of pure solvents for researchers and teaching laboratories.

Within the Chemistry Department, the role-holder supervises junior technical staff, provides service and support for research group leaders, researchers, external clients and postgraduates. Within the University, the role holder provides support and advice on chemical safety to other departments and liaises with the University Health and Safety Service on implementing and developing policies.

For more information on the Department, please visit our webpages at https://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry . The University is committed to developing all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive.

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 – please include or delete if not applicable.    
• 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 children’s clubs in the summer holidays.   
• 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, inclusion and values     

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 asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  Your application should cover the following criteria:     

Essential Criteria       

Desirable Criteria        

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 Senior Technical Manager, Connor Sibbald ([email protected])    

Typical Role Requirements   

Service Delivery

• Implement changes to the design and development of safety processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams. 
• Design, build and maintain complex, specialist teaching and research apparatus, equipment, instruments, systems and appliances. 
• Take responsibility for monitoring and updating risk assessments and safety procedures, providing guidance to others where necessary across the Chemistry Department. 
• Provide advice on digital tools and infrastructure to ensure an appropriate pedagogical approach to developing world class teaching.   
• Responsible for managing small budgets for consumables and some capital items, keeping records and processing invoices. 
• Provide guidance and advice on University health and safety and compliance issues in specialist area. 
• Apply maintenance schedules to ensure the smooth, safe and efficient use of technology, facilities and services to teaching, research and learning activities. 
• Develop, modify and optimise protocols and methodologies. 
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Knowledge and Experience

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist in chemical safety and high risk areas.
• Provide day-to-day management for the delivery of a high-quality chemical safety, solvent management and high pressure service to ensure teaching, learning, research and knowledge exchange outputs.
• Provide specialist expertise and support with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis. 
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience. 
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge. 

Teaching and Learning Support

• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes. 
• Deliver training, teaching and/or development delivery for stakeholders. 
• Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching, learning and research activities. 
• Take responsibility for the design, set-up, maintenance and integrity of teaching, research and learning facilities, technology and resources within  the specialist areas of chemical safety, solvent management and high pressure techniques. 
• Collaborate with internal and external academics, industry and technical specialists to support the delivery of teaching, learning and research projects, contributing to the generation of external income. 
• Supervise service users during practical and test teaching, learning and research work activities, projects, and self-directed sessions. 
• Provide chemical safety support to ensure 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. 

Planning and Organising

• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services. 
• Provide specialist technical problem-solving advice to inform activity and project planning, continuous improvement and service development. 

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders

• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation. 
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels. 
• Contribute to promotional events and presentations at conferences. 
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where appropriate around chemical safety. 
• 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 https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ 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.