Level 1 Specialist Technician (Biogeochemistry Field and Laboratory Research Technician)

A unique opportunity exists for a Biogeochemistry Field and Laboratory Research Technician to join a multidisciplinary consortium of researchers working on the UKRI Freshwaters Programme QUANTUM project, which will be Quantifying the nutrient enrichment, pathogenic, ecotoxicological impacts of livestock farming on UK rivers. This offers an exciting prospect for a suitably qualified applicant to develop their research skills in a suite of exciting field experiments, and in our state of the art analytical laboratories, while also feeding in their own experience derived from their prior work at BSc or MSc level or in a previous comparable technical role.

The role-holder will support our postdoctoral researchers to:

• conduct field experiments and monitoring, collect samples and apply analytical approaches to determine the nutrient concentrations in river water samples using automatic sampling and sensor equipment in two key experimental sites in the UK.
• help set up and conduct experiments to evaluate the changing composition of the nutrient pool and in particular the organic matter component as it moves from land to stream and downstream under different livestock management regimes.
• help run a sequence of isotope dosing experiments to investigate how livestock-derived organic matter is taken up and processed by stream biota.
• help collect samples in a further 50 UK catchments draining livestock farming regions to explore the generality of findings from the targeted field experiments.
• generate quality assured analytical data to support the writing and publication (by others) of a suite of journal articles reporting the outcomes from the nutrient workstream of the programme, in collaboration with the QUANTUM staff across all institutions.
• Be a co-author on all publications arising from the programme, where they have been involved in the fieldwork or analysis of samples in the laboratory

You will have a degree in a relevant subject (environmental science, environmental chemistry, or a related subject), and experience of biogeochemical research. Experience in working in farming systems and with automated sample collection and sensor equipment is also welcomed.  You will demonstrate a proactive approach, creativity and initiative and have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Good communication and interpersonal skills are also required, as is the ability to take a positive and flexible approach to work in order to deal with a variety of requests and tasks.  An ability to work flexibly according to the requirement of the role is also key, as is a full UK driving licence.

For informal queries, contact details: Professor Penny Johnes, [email protected]

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Available documents

A unique opportunity exists for a Biogeochemistry Field and Laboratory Research Technician to join a multidisciplinary consortium of researchers working on the UKRI Freshwaters Programme QUANTUM project, which will be Quantifying the nutrient enrichment, pathogenic, ecotoxicological impacts of livestock farming on UK rivers. This offers an exciting prospect for a suitably qualified applicant to develop their research skills in a suite of exciting field experiments, and in our state of the art analytical laboratories, while also feeding in their own experience derived from their prior work at BSc or MSc level or in a previous comparable technical role.

The role-holder will support our postdoctoral researchers to:

• conduct field experiments and monitoring, collect samples and apply analytical approaches to determine the nutrient concentrations in river water samples using automatic sampling and sensor equipment in two key experimental sites in the UK.
• help set up and conduct experiments to evaluate the changing composition of the nutrient pool and in particular the organic matter component as it moves from land to stream and downstream under different livestock management regimes.
• help run a sequence of isotope dosing experiments to investigate how livestock-derived organic matter is taken up and processed by stream biota.
• help collect samples in a further 50 UK catchments draining livestock farming regions to explore the generality of findings from the targeted field experiments.
• generate quality assured analytical data to support the writing and publication (by others) of a suite of journal articles reporting the outcomes from the nutrient workstream of the programme, in collaboration with the QUANTUM staff across all institutions.
• Be a co-author on all publications arising from the programme, where they have been involved in the fieldwork or analysis of samples in the laboratory

You will have a degree in a relevant subject (environmental science, environmental chemistry, or a related subject), and experience of biogeochemical research. Experience in working in farming systems and with automated sample collection and sensor equipment is also welcomed.  You will demonstrate a proactive approach, creativity and initiative and have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Good communication and interpersonal skills are also required, as is the ability to take a positive and flexible approach to work in order to deal with a variety of requests and tasks.  An ability to work flexibly according to the requirement of the role is also key, as is a full UK driving licence.

For informal queries, contact details: Professor Penny Johnes, [email protected]

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Available documents