Technician - Biology/Zoology

About the role

The main purpose of this role is to provide scientific technical support for teaching, research, outreach and academic enterprise in the school of science, particularly focusing on Biological / Zoological sciences.

The core duty is to work with the team to liaise with academic staff to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research.

The main responsibility is to provide technical support in the insectary and undergraduate and post graduate teaching classes.

This may involve demonstrating scientific techniques in relevant practicals (if workload permits). The role also requires the candidate to support the successful completion of student laboratory and fieldwork projects, such as checking methodology and health and safety documentation, training on relevant techniques / equipment.

Trainee technicians / student helpers may need to be trained and supervised in the general upkeep of laboratory and specialist spaces.

Local compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations and policies must be kept, with completing appropriate risk assessments.

During university term time, applicants should be onsite to support academics and students, and may occasionally be needed to support out of hours outreach or animal maintenance and welfare.

Due to signing the technician commitment, the university has pledged to support the career development of technicians and offers support for attending technician development courses (such as via HEATED) or becoming a Fellow or Associate Fellow of Advanced Higher Education.

This role is part time, 18.5 hours per week.

About You

You should have relevant experience in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. biological sciences / Forensic Science) and / or a degree in a scientific discipline.

You will have the ability to develop standard operating procedures for practical classes and have excellent and proven verbal communication skills - be able to communicate effectively to students and staff.

You must have the ability to plan and monitor their own workload, operating both alone and as part of a team, and demonstrable high level of organisational and practical skills.

You will also have good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including risk assessments and COSHH.

Principal accountabilities

• Liaise with academic staff in the School of Science and the Technical team to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research in this area.
• Identify and acquire as well as develop the necessary skills / training related to this post in consultation with the senior and Technical team leader.
• Assist in the upkeep, maintenance, breeding and welfare of the animals within the insectary.
• Provide technical assistance to other members of staff as required by the Technical Team Leader or Senior Technician.
• Provide relevant technical assistance for student projects.
• Assist the Technical team with practical preparation in Biology / Zoology, Forensic sciences and access classes.
• Assist with supervision and training of student employees and volunteers.
• Help or construct and / or install new apparatus and equipment. Operate and maintain existing apparatus and equipment as appropriate.
• Help to maintain material stocks, spares etc. and report deficiencies to the Technical Team.
• Demonstrate in relevant practicals as required (if technician workload permits).
• Undertake appropriate technician development programs and training.
• Ensure local compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies and write risk assessments where appropriate.
• Undertake any additional duties as required in agreement with the line manager and Technical team leader.

Person specification

Qualifications

Degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent experience in a related scientific subject

Experience

• Experience of supporting practical work in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience of working with animals, specifically in the field of entomology

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent and proven verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively to students and staff
• Practical and fieldwork skills in a related scientific discipline
• Ability to plan and monitor own workload operating both alone and as part of a team
• Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including Risk Assessments (RA) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
• Demonstrable high level of organisational skills
• Team worker
• Able to work with minimal supervision

Business requirements

• Willingness to work in a resource that breeds and experiments with crickets, flies and cockroaches
• Ability to attend field / residential trips or otherwise as agreed with line management

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• Professional registration
• First aid training

Experience

• Experience of technical or academic support in Zoology and specifically animal upkeep and welfare
• Experience of working with insects or within a facility or resource that maintains animals

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• General practical abilities
• Appropriate IT skills

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development
15 hours ago