Salary: £29,605 to £30,487 with progression to £32,982 per annumNewcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.Closing Date: 20 June 2024The RoleWe have an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Technical Specialist, with experience in Pharmaceutical Science, to provide general and specialised technical support to teaching and research, based within our School of Pharmacy laboratories.This is a hands on practical role that requires a positive, proactive approach with knowledge and commitment to develop, establish and maintain local H&S procedures. You will have substantial experience in the use, maintenance and repair of a range of laboratory analytical equipment.Excellent team working and communication skills are essential to deliver training for staff and students on the safe and effective use of a range of pharmaceutical equipment.You will be based in our School of Pharmacy laboratories, with access to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment and the opportunity to support our students and academic colleagues develop their teaching, research and engagement activities.You will also be part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences community of technicians, with access to continuous professional development and a network of staff who are committed to working collaboratively and sharing experience and best practice to deliver excellence creativity and impact.Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.The post is full time, permanent.If you have any questions before applying, please feel free to contact .Key Accountabilities
- Provide general and specialist research support including leading method development
- Provide general and specialist teaching support including class/field work development
- Support taught course projects by promotion and incorporation of specialism
- Prepare and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction
- Manage equipment bookings, calculate charges/costs and assist with re-charging
- Complete a range of routine and complex maintenance activities and repairs
- Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve both routine and complex problems and investigate replacement options
- Advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved
- Design and delivery of bespoke equipment and apparatus
- By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment
- Hold specific safety responsibilities relevant to the specialism
- Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork
- Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records
- Complete accident reporting and assist with investigations
- Maintain in-depth and up-to-date health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism
- Schedule, prioritize and monitor work in line with demands and deadlines
- Hold delegated responsibility from the academic lead for the planning, operation and supervision of laboratory spaces occupied by the specialism
- Organize and facilitate progress meetings
- Be a key contributor to specialism development, delivery and planning
- Contribute to and support change
- Manage on or more budgets monitoring resource usage
- Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment
- Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service
- Manage local security and access control arrangements
- Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering complex techniques and specialist equipment
- Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs
- Maintain specialist knowledge and skills, sharing with others
- Mentor junior staff
- Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical role
- Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Excellent team working skills
- Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capacity
- Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail
- Contribute to design and specification of research/teaching activities
- Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research priorities
- Substantial laboratory specific to role
- Tact, diplomacy and able to handle difficult situations
- Ability to meet deadlines with effective time and resource management.
- Clear communicator and active listener
- Consistent and appropriate approach to staff and situations
- Use of feedback for process improvement and staff development
- Team player, self starter and able to manage complex workload
- Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students
- BTEC HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles
- Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment