Advanced 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.

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. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

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 the Department

The Department of Biosciences is composed of academic staff and research fellows with research and teaching interests that span the broad spectrum of the Biosciences. The Department studies biology from the smallest to the largest scales; from the structures and functions of biological molecules, through to cells, tissues and organisms and to the entire global ecosystem. The interests of academic staff include all types of living organisms, from bacteria, through the plant and animal kingdoms, to human health and disease.

A laboratory technician is required to support research activities within the plant vascular development group based in the Department of Biosciences. The role is at 1.0FTE for an 8 month period, or can be part time with a concomitant increase in contract length. The research group has received funding to work with barley as a study system to understand how crops grow and develop. You will support this project, with a particular focus on aspects of barley transformation and tissue culture, and assist with day-to-day operation of the laboratory including tasks necessary to maintain plant lines under the guidance of academic staff. You will also contribute to ongoing experimental work and participate in group meetings.

The role requires good time management and communication skills, ability to work independently and as a part of a group. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is willing to learn new things. Previous experience of laboratory-based work is essential. However, the role will include multiple opportunities to acquire new knowledge and technical expertise. This role will suit anyone interested in pursuing a career in laboratory-based work, either with a technical focus or with a view to progress to a research career.

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:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

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. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
3. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
4. Experience of teaching/research project working within an educational, commercial, or industrial environment.
5. Experience of monitoring own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
6. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines7. Experience of working in a laboratory or technical environment.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
9. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.
10. Committed to continuing professional development.
11. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

12. Experience of working in a biology or chemistry laboratory.

13. Experience of following safe working practices, i.e., health and safety compliance

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. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. 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 during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• Optional - A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact; Dr Peter Etchells; Peter.Etchells@durham.ac.uk

Service Delivery
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role
• Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with]to make sure the best possible service is provided.
• Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.

Planning and Organising
• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events.
• Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teaching and Learning Support
• Prepare safety documents and risk assessments for teaching, research and learning activities.
• Setup and prepare equipment and facilities for the delivery of teaching and research activities.
• Provide supervision for teaching and research activities, including students and staff.
• Construct and/or repair mechanical, electrical, electronic and digital equipment and tools under the supervision of more experienced colleagues.
• Apply sector and professional standards when delivering technical and experimental services to support teaching, outreach, research and learning activities.
• Ensure the smooth running of a teaching or research facility and/or a range of laboratories, workshops, studios and/or experimental facilities.
• Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.
• Use new and existing resources to deliver teaching, research and/or learning objectives.
• Use your knowledge and skills to build, adapt, construct and repair test set-ups, experimental scenarios and laboratory equipment.

Teamwork
• Provide specialist support and advice to team members on areas of expertise.
• Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.
• Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison
• Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
• Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within area of working beyond immediate team.
• Keep accurate records of stock levels and liaise with other colleagues to identify resource requirements, store and deliver resources.
• Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.
• Liaise with academic staff, students and colleagues across the University to ensure that services are being delivered in a smooth and efficient way.
• Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.
• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.

• Any other reasonable duties.

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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