"Laboratory Technician"

Study Group - Durham International Study Centre

Location: Stockton-on-Tees

Salary: Up to £13,207.79 per annum

Hours: Part Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Fixed Term (1 Year)

To organise, deliver and develop technical services to support the teaching of science and laboratory skills by the centre. Specifically, to:

• Assist with the use of equipment and supplies as teaching aids as required
• Assist teaching staff in the identification of the technical support needs generated by the curriculum
• Coordinate the use of the science laboratories
• Assist students in the conduct of experiments
• Support compliance with health and safety regulations in the delivery of technical services
• Develop professionally to ensure the service and advice to the Department is up to date
• To work collaboratively with the Centre and the University to provide excellent technical support to staff and students

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Maintaining the delivery of technical services, including:
  • Responsibility for the provision of student welfare and safeguarding within the
  • Ensuring the maintenance of a system for notification of practical requests, with appropriate notice periods and feedback to teachers on availability
  • The timely preparation, setting up, and testing of materials, components, apparatus and equipment and ensuring their retrieval and clearing away after use.
  • Providing technical advice and assistance to teachers and students.
  • Assisting the maintenance and repair of apparatus and equipment either by staff or contractors
  • Locking up of laboratories and stores and securing equipment when not in use
• Assisting teaching staff in delivering the curriculum, including:
  • Provision of new equipment in consultation with teaching staff and ordering new consumable equipment timely.
  • Reviewing experiment protocols
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, among others, matters relating to COSHH, Health and Safety at Work Acts, Electricity at Work Regulations. Ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations and policies, including:
  • Operating and monitoring systems for the safe storage of equipment, apparatus and materials
  • Assisting with the disposal of waste laboratory materials
  • Attending and assisting in all practical teaching sessions.
  • Ensuring satisfactory maintenance of laboratories, storage rooms and preparation rooms, and liaison on safety and relevant legal requirements
  • Provision of advice and assistance to staff on safe working practices and problems relating to health and safety.
  • If trained, first aid treatment of minor laboratory injuries
• Assisting the Head of Science, Deputy Centre Director/Centre Director in managing the budget for purchase of consumables
• Participating in relevant professional development to meet the needs of the Centre.
• Such other duties as may be commensurate with the grade and nature of the post

ABOUT YOU

• BTEC Higher Certificate or Advanced City and Guilds or HNC/HND or BSc/BEng or equivalent degree. Other relevant qualifications will be considered.
• Experience, and a positive track record, of providing technical laboratory support in an educational setting
• Experience of advising or supporting others to develop experiments as part of curriculum development is desirable
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Knowledge of science in relation to the main subject specialisms and curricular requirements
• Knowledge of materials, apparatus and equipment
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety regulations
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills Proven competence in IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail, etc.)
• A student-centred and client-focused approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, clients and partners at a variety of levels of seniority
• Flexibility and willingness to work under pressure to deadlines, and occasionally extended hours
• Enthusiasm and motivation to be a performance-driven team player

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