Technician

Job Purpose

To provide in-depth technical expertise in support of the ecological activities at the Scottish centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) and provide advice on the creation, set up and best operation of technical resources to aid the delivery of research and teaching objectives. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the School Strategy.

The position will be based at SCENE on east Loch Lomondside.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide in-depth technical support to academic and student teaching and research users of SCENE. .Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of SCENE to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice to SCENE  users to maximise the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research objectives.

3. Develop and test equipment, systems, procedures, protocols and/or techniques at SCENE. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.

4. Design, plan and organise technical activities to meet the needs of SCENE users within agreed timescales.

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

6. Collect, analyse and interpret 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.

7. To 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 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.

9. Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical work-space and facilities at SCENE. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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.

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 an environmental or ecological  discipline.

A3. A working knowledge of relevant field and laboratory Health and Safety requirements.

Desirable:

B1. A full current UK driving licence

B2. BSc Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline is desirable.

B3. Working towards Professional Registration with relevant body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

C1. Demonstrable in-depth technical skills in ecology or environmental sciences .

C2. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant 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.

C7. Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.

C8. Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of SCENE users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.

C9. Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of SCENE 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/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences was re-shaped to create 8 new Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.  More information on the College re-shape can be accessed here: MVLS 2025 with further plans mapped out in our MVLS 2033 strategy.  The new College shape took effect from August 2022 and this post will be based in the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/mvls2025/

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 – £29,605 per annum. Salary will be pro-rated to number of hours worked. 

We have two positions available, one full time (35 hours per week) and one part time (17.5 hours per week). Both posts are to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months or until the substantive postholder returns. 

Please state within your application whether you are interested in the full time or part time position.

For University of Glasgow applicants only – The University would consider a secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for secondment from their line manager before making a formal application. 

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.