Technician

Job Purpose

To deliver high quality technical services for teaching using specialist technical knowledge in the biomolecular sciences/human biology subject area. Responsible for the production, set-up and delivery of technical resources in support of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching objectives. In addition, the postholder will be actively involved in all elements of technical support required for practical skills labs and workshops for students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support to service users within biomolecular sciences/human biology subject area. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab(s) to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice to service users to maximise the learning experience and contribute to the delivery of teaching objectives.

3. Develop, programme, calibrate, test and maintain equipment, systems, protocols, models and/or techniques. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance/improvements as required. Work to recognised standards and procedures.

4. Design, plan and organise technical activities to meet the needs of service users within agreed timescales to meet teaching deadlines. Prepare, analyse and optimise specialist samples and a wide range of reagents and media for student practical classes in biomolecular sciences/human biology. Duties will involve support for student practicals involving human subjects and limited in vivo experiments using established protocols.

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

6. Record, analyse and interpret scientific data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept, and databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately. This may include teaching-related data.

7. Advise, train and provide guidance to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources.

8. Where relevant, maintain appropriate stock levels, including preparation of specialised media and samples as required, and advise Technician-in-Charge of purchase requirements for consumables and supplies. Ensure safe implementation and ongoing storage of potentially hazardous materials.

9. 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 and equipment.

10. Where relevant, supervise staff including modern apprentices and laboratory assistants, allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.

11. Responsible for a range of teaching support and administration.

12. Work flexibly as part of the Life Sciences Support Team to meet objectives and achieve outcomes as agreed with the Technician-in-Charge of the facility. Attend and actively contribute to team meetings with the aim of improving service users’ experience and providing a modern facility appropriate to teaching objectives. Collaborate with colleagues and contribute to wider activities as required.

13. Keep up-to-date with advances in the relevant discipline and continue to expand knowledge and skills base through appropriate and tailored CPD in order to further enhance the learning experience of students and contribute to the delivery of teaching aims.

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 molecular biology/biomolecular sciences.

A3 - Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role including, but not limited to, Health and Safety.

Desirable

B1 - Up-to-date knowledge of relevant University policies and procedures.

B2 - Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline.

B3 - First Aid training/qualification.

Skills

Essential

C1 - Demonstrable specialist technical skills in molecular biology/biomolecular sciences in equipment, systems, and techniques including but not restricted to: PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, use of restriction enzymes, plasmid preparations, DNA/RNA/protein purification and quantification, ELISA, plant science.

C2 - Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.

C3 - Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data.

C4 - Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills. Experience of training junior/less experienced staff/students, preferably in a teaching laboratory environment

C5 - Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a range of service users with varying degrees of ability and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C6 - Ability to plan and prioritise work of self and others, along with allocation of resources, to meet the needs of service users.

Experience

Essential

E1 - Significant relevant experience of providing high quality technical services in a complex lab environment.

E2 - Experience of working with a range of technical service users, with varying degrees of ability, ensuring their experience is optimal.

E3 - Experience of maintaining Standing Operating Procedures to ensure the smooth, efficient, and legal running of the lab; includes compliance with Health and Safety procedures for service users, or other legal requirements.

E4 - Proven experience of working with competing demands in a fast-paced technical service environment.

Desirable

F1 - Experience in working in a large teaching laboratory.

F2 - Experience in a human biology environment.

F3 - Experience in sterile cell culture.

F4 - Experience in the propagation of plants.

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

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.