Senior Research Technician

University of Birmingham - School of Chemistry

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 16th September 2025

Closes: 7th October 2025

Job Ref: 100067

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support for a group with 10-20 members. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

You will work closely with students and PDRAs in the group to ensure the efficiency and safety of their protocols, and assist them in equipment and experiment design, management and maintenance. You will be expected to continuously work on improving your familiarity with diverse instrumentation and techniques through interactions with manufacturers, their representatives and service technicians, and you will be provided opportunities to continue building your skills and up-to-date knowledge of relevant instruments and techniques through participating in relevant workshops and seminars.

In order to flexibly use resource, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

Work independently or in team with the group’s Research Associate to maintain equipment, optimise equipment use, keep records of purchases and consumption of consumables such as laboratory (chemicals, reagents, solvents, small laboratory items) or office material.

Work independently or in team with the group’s Research Associate to ensure effective and safe storage, as well as disposal of, of chemicals, solvents, other laboratory consumables and, if needed, equipment.

You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.

You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.

Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.

GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.

In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and methods and laboratory management.

Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.

Informal enquiries to Trevor Hardy, email: t.a.hardy@bham.ac.uk