Senior Technical Officer – High Containment Lab

Post Title Senior Technical Officer – High Containment Lab  

SBU/Department: Physics, Engineering and Computer Science / Technical Services Group

 FTE: 1.0fte (working 37 hours per week) although job share and 0.8fte (29.6 hours per week) would be considered.

Duration of Contract: Permanent 

Salary: UH5 £27,181 to £28,759pa (or pro rata if applicable) with potential to progress to £30,487 by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience  

Annual Leave: 25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

We are a committed equal opportunities employer and we particularly encourage applications from applicants who may wish to job share or work part time, as well as from women candidates to reflect staff under-representation, where it exists, and our diverse student cohort.

The School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science (SPECS) is seeking to appoint a Senior Technical Officer into an exciting Technical role. SPECS is in a thrilling period of expansion with an imminent new £100M Building “SPECTRA” and a multimillion pound research grant. We offer a wide range of degrees including Physics, Robotics & AI, Computer Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering and in terms of size for those disciplines, we are the Number 1 HEI in the UK. Whilst the role will primarily be supporting activities in the high containment laboratory, you will also have the opportunity to support other areas of the School. This dynamic position will cover a multi discipline research laboratory with the potential to utilise your talent to make it your own.

Main duties and responsibilities: As a High-Containment Laboratory Technician, your primary responsibility will be to support the operation and maintenance of high-containment laboratory facilities in compliance with strict safety protocols and regulatory requirements. Your duties will include preparing laboratory equipment, materials, and reagents for experiments conducted within the containment environment. You will be responsible for implementing and monitoring rigorous safety measures, including the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals & biological materials. Additionally, you will assist researchers and PhD students in conducting experiments, ensuring adherence to established protocols and safety guidelines. Collaborating with laboratory personnel to maintain a clean and organized workspace, as well as troubleshooting equipment malfunctions or operational issues, will also be part of your role.

Skills and experience required: The ideal candidate will have practical experience working in high-containment laboratory settings, with a strong understanding of biosecurity protocols and procedures. Proficiency in handling and manipulating hazardous chemicals & biological materials. Additionally, candidates should possess knowledge of relevant safety regulations and guidelines. Strong attention to detail, adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the ability to work effectively in a team environment under stringent safety measures are critical. Experience with laboratory equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and emergency response protocols is highly desirable.

As we work both independently and within a team, you’ll be flexible in your approach and attitude, with a client-oriented approach and able to prioritise to meet deadlines. Good communication and interpersonal skills are key.

Qualifications required.

You will hold a minimum of A-levels, equivalent qualifications, or have equivalent proven experience. A recognised qualification in an appropriate subject at degree or HNC/HND level or equivalent is desirable.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work, or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work, before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Giorgos Gkizelis, Technical Manager, [email protected]

Closing Date: 28/03/2024

Interview Date: TBC 

Reference Number: 057638

Date advert placed: 14/03/2024

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts