Technician

Job Purpose

To support in technical daily activities using infrared spectroscopy and rearing mosquitoes in laboratory setting. You will contribute to the work of Dr. Mauro Pazmino and Dr. Francesco Baldini at the University of Glasgow Vector Group. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the College/School Strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Undertake infrared spectroscopy measurements of mosquitoes from different species using mid infrared and near infrared spectrometers.

2.      Be involved in the rearing process of mosquitoes in climatic chambers.

3.      In liaison with relevant senior staff, monitor technical standards. Advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.

4.      Collect data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept and databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately. This may include research and/or teaching related data.

5.      Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical work-space and facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the completion of risk assessments and COSHH assessments, ensuring that all Health and Safety paperwork is completed timeously and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to all applicable health and safety policies, including specialist legal procedures for certain materials.

6.      Where relevant supervise staff including allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.

7.      Where relevant, maintain appropriate stock levels, including appropriate preparation of specialised media and samples as required, and purchase consumables and supplies within defined budget. Ensure safe implementation and ongoing storage of potentially hazardous materials.

8.      In roles within teaching laboratories, undertake general administration as required. This may include recording student attendance and collating student assessment marks for feedback to the academic lead.

9.      Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School activities as required.

10.   Keep up to date with advances in the relevant discipline and apply this knowledge to technical activities to further enhance the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research aims

The above duties are not exhaustive and the postholder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by the line manager which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 [Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2. Detailed technical knowledge and expertise in relevant discipline.

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

Desirable:

B1. BSc Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline is desirable.

B2. Working towards Professional Registration with relevant body.

B3. Experience in infrared spectroscopy

B4. Experience in rearing insects in laboratory settings.

Skills

Essential

C1. Demonstrable in-depth technical skills aligned to the specified discipline or assigned research project. 

C2. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages.

C3.  Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

C4. Proven interpersonal and communication skills.

C5. Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills.

C6. Ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

Experience

Essential

E1. Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.

E2. Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.

E3. Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users.

Additional Information

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. As we are a merging of two Athena Swan Silver award winning bodies (the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine) we aim to achieve an Athena Swan award for the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

The award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.  The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

Informal enquiries on this post may be directed to Dr Francesco Baldini, [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 - £29,605 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for 3 months.

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.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

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/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.