Isotope Laboratory Technician

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and Department

The Durham Geochemistry Centre in the Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University seeks an Isotope Laboratory Technician (ILT) to be a core member of the DGC team.

The Durham Geochemistry Centre (DGC) has a strong history in isotope geochemistry, having been a trailblazer in the development of MC-ICP-MS technology in the mid-1990s and then an early adopter of MC-ICP-MS technology with the purchase of a ThermoFisher Scientific Neptune 22 years ago. These technical developments had profound impact on isotope ratio measurement and gave rise to diverse applications in the physical and environmental sciences. Present facilities at DGC include two MC-ICP-MS Neptunes, three Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometers (TIMS, ThermoFisher Scientific Triton), and a suite of instruments for elemental concentration analyses (ThermoFisher Scientific Element 2, iCAP-TQ, and XSERIES 2 ICP-MS; ThermoFisher Scientific iCAP 6500 ICP-OES). These instruments are supported by class 1000 clean laboratories for chemical separation of elements, alongside laser ablation capabilities for in situ micro analysis. The facilities and technical expertise for isotope ratio measurement supports multi-disciplinary research across Durham University (particularly Earth Sciences, Geography, and Archaeology) and beyond, including national and international research collaborations. The Neptunes are the backbone of our current ability to produce precise and accurate isotopic analyses of elements spanning the periodic table in materials ranging from waters, soils, rocks and minerals, to bones, teeth and pottery. This technical ability underpins our outstanding track record of innovation and excellence in isotopic ratio measurement and has provided the means to attract the best students, early career researchers and staff, building and cementing our reputation as world-leaders in isotopic analysis over the past 20 years. Current and recent isotopic systems routinely analysed at DGC include Sr, Nd, Hf, Pb, Si, Li, Fe, Zn, Cu, Os, Re, and V, with new systems added to our portfolio on a regular basis.

The DGC team spans three departments and two faculties at Durham and engage in collaborative isotope-focused research with external users including other academic institutes, charities and industry. The team has a strong team spirit, an inclusive practice, and values direct communication. The DGC is led by Kevin Burton (Professor Kevin Burton - Durham University) and the mass spectrometers and clean laboratories are managed by Geoff Nowell (Dr Geoffrey Nowell - Durham University).

The Isotope Laboratory Technician will work alongside the lab manager and academic staff members on a day-to-day basis, to:

• maintain the clean laboratories and troubleshoot laboratory issues (e.g., de-ionised water supply, air handling, acid distillation) and mass spectrometry issues (e.g., cone changing, neb blocking, torches, software) in a time and cost-efficient manner;
• provide clean laboratory and mass spectrometry training and supervision to established and new internal and external users;
• train and supervise new users in the clean laboratory and mass spectrometry lab;
• work with all users (PIs, staff, post-doctoral research fellows, undergraduate, masters, and graduate students) to develop and establish new laboratory and instrumentation procedures (e.g., reagent preparation, sample digestion and chemical purification, acid stills, development of isotope "spiking" techniques);
• lead on routine radiogenic isotope analysis; (MC-ICP-MS, TIMS)
• conduct their own research as time allows;
• oversee clean laboratory chemistry orders and budgeting;
• work with the lab manager on health and safety protocols;
• provide support for trace element analysis, other duties permitting.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct, At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to postgraduate (MSc or PhD) level or to have completed the postgraduate qualification by the start date of the contract.

2. Experience in inorganic isotope ratio mass spectrometry: MC-ICPMS and/or TIMS.

3. Experience in wet chemistry (e.g., sample digestion, ion chromatography).

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

5. Strong digital competence and data processing skills

6. Excellent ability to share and discuss best practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

7. Committed to continuing professional development.

8. Ability to solve problems, prioritise, and plan appropriate solutions in mass spectrometry and clean laboratories.

9. Ability to train others on mass spectrometry and clean laboratory technical skills.

Desirable Criteria

10. Knowledge and/or experience of ensuring compliance with laboratory university and national level health and safety regulations legislation, (e.g., writing and implementing COSHH and risk assessments)

11. Interest or experience in trouble shooting instrument and/or laboratory infrastructure problems in a logical manner (e.g. ability to read electronics and/or instrument interconnection schematics).

12. Experience with coding (e.g., using macros or scripts to assist in data reduction routines and double spike deconvolution).

13. Prior experience of training and supervision of lab users in the clean laboratory and/or on mass spectrometers.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online.We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit
A CV including publications if applicable; A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.Statement outlining your thoughts on importance of collegiality, teamwork and maintaining equality, diversity and inclusion.
Contact Details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Kevin Burton (email: kevin.burton@durham.ac.uk)

Typical Role Requirements

• Troubleshoot and maintain clean laboratory and mass spectrometry equipment.
• Apply maintenance and user schedules to ensure the safe, clean and efficient use of laboratories.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality technical and/or experimental facility/platform and service to ensure research and knowledge exchange outputs.
• Record, monitor and collate documents on laboratory standards and blanks, instruments, fume hoods and data archives.
• Supervise internal and external laboratory users.

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to lab users.
• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpretating and analysing mass spectrometry data.
• Look for ways to improve clean laboratory and mass spectrometry processes, techniques and outputs/ results.
• Help train internal and external clean laboratory users.
• Where necessary, work with users to help develop specialist risk assessments and safety procedures and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.

Planning and Organisation

• Provide specialist advice to resolve technical problems, plan projects and continually develop mass spectrometry and laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Help manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) lab supplies and invoicing services.

Communication/Liaison

• Provide advice and guidance on University health and safety and compliance issues.
• Collaborate with internal and external academics, industry and technical specialists to support the delivery of research projects and to contribute to the generation of external income.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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