Sample Preparation Laboratory Manager

The Sample Preparation Laboratory Manager is responsible for the daily management of the Rock Thin Section, Rock Cutting and Polishing Laboratories within the Geofacilities Small Research Facility (SRF) in the Department of Earth Sciences. As a highly skilled sample preparation technician, you will be responsible for managing and operating those laboratories, ensuring that they are able to support the diverse range of internationally recognized research and teaching projects undertaken within the Department.

You will be expected to produce the highest quality thin sections from a wide variety of materials, though principally rock and minerals.  You will also provide advice and guidance on sample preparation methods to Faculty, research staff, and students, and have sufficient knowledge of optical and/or electron microscopy to advise on suitable techniques to obtain the best results. Drawing on your wide range of knowledge and experience you will be expected to devise novel and unique techniques to facilitate the preparation of specialist, nonstandard samples to exacting standards.

The postholder will make standard petrological thin sections and prepare polished rock slabs according to the requirements of the PI. They will manage the day to day running, safety and security of the thin section laboratories, produce high quality standard and non-standard thin and polished sections of rocks, minerals and bio-fragments and prioritise and plan the work in the laboratory, or arrange for the work to be outsourced to a third party as appropriate. They will also ensure that all laboratory equipment is properly maintained, service contracts renewed and that safe operating procedures are prepared and followed as well as managing the budget for the thin section laboratory including producing reports.

The postholder will provide training to departmental users in the operation of rock preparation equipment, with due regard to the University Departmental Health and Safety policy and risk assessments.

You will have highly developed expertise in scientific sample preparation of solid materials (e.g. rocks, soils, metals, ceramics etc) for analysis by microscope, have experience and knowledge of working with optical and/or electron microscopes, have significant experience of delivering technical support in the Earth Sciences, or similar discipline and educated to an appropriate level (HNC/D) in Laboratory Management.  

You will have the ability to work independently to plan, set and achieve goals, have the ability to provide leadership in a technical environment based on personal credibility, have good communication skills with a demonstrable ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and good time management and organisational skills.

For further details of the role please see the job description.

This  role is available from 1 May 2023 or as soon as possoble thereafter and  is permanent upon the successful completion of a one year probationary period.

The deadline for applications is midday on Friday 17 March 2023. Interviews for the position will be in early April 2023.

You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application. Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.