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The ambition of University of East London is to become London’s leading university for civic engagement. It is a vibrant and diverse university located in the heart of east London. Its new corporate plan sets an ambitious agenda for our future success and growth which focuses on the delivery of high quality teaching and learning, and excellence in research. Based at the Stratford campus, the School of Health and Bioscience has experienced considerable growth over the last 5 years at approximately 10-15% per annum. It is rapidly developing our post graduate and research programmes, involving wide collaboration in the UK and overseas.
Job Title: Senior Scientific Officer
Job Purpose:
To provide the highest quality, multi-specialist technical expertise and support to students, staff and external partners for the teaching, research and consultation work of the School. The post holder serves as the primary source of expertise when demonstrating the use of specialist equipment and techniques to students and staff.
Salary: £32,443 to £37,035 per annum inclusive of London Weighting
Key Accountabilities and or Duties:
- To provide the highest quality, multi-specialist technical expertise and support for teaching activity, practical classes, student projects and MSc courses during and outside of standard term times
- To provide high quality specialist technical to support teaching, outreach activity, research, consultancy and income generation activity at designated times throughout the year
- To provide specialist training for up-skilling of other members of the technical team
- Maintenance and arranging for repair of the equipment and maintenance of the laboratory facilities and associated areas
- Responsible under the Technical Manager for safety and security in the designated areas,
conforming to all legal requirements - To proactively ensure of own knowledge and expertise is kept up to date
General Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advise, assist and instruct staff and students on the appropriate procedures for the operation, monitoring, maintenance, security and use of equipment and facilities, in accordance with the needs of the teaching, research academic and income generation activities
- The post holder will routinely address staff and student groups with information of a highly specialist nature. This involves detailed explanations of concepts to embrace theoretical conclusions. This will involve timetabled practical sessions as well as supporting other access to specialist facilities
- Preparation, setting up and clearing of equipment and materials for practical classes, project and dissertation work, research and income generation activities
- The role holder would also be involved in School liaison initiatives and liaise with the primary school science coordinator and discuss what type of practical experiment the role holder should demonstrate to the children
- Support academic staff in the supervision of project students within the laboratories and
demonstrating the safe use of equipment and specialised laboratory skills to students and staff - Collaborate with academic and technical colleagues in the development of practicals, research projects, research and other academic programme, and to contribute ideas towards the improvement of the resultant services to users
- Continual development of new practicals for teaching and short courses, and contribution to the improvement, design and delivery of taught practical sessions
- Production and development of learning materials, for use by students and staff in practical settings, in line with specified academic outcomes
- Introducing innovative techniques into areas of research and academic delivery
- Under the direction of the Technical Manager and in conjunction with the Laboratory Managers provide specialist training to other members of the team to enable multi-skilling
- Accurate record keeping; preparation and regular maintenance of inventory of reagents and stocks, equipment within the post holder’s area and keeping a record of its maintenance and assisting with
the annual fixed asset audit - Contributing to the maintenance and repair of equipment when necessary, and liaising with external services/suppliers
- Provide induction and training in the operation of equipment and associated techniques within the post holder’s area, including preparation of standard operating procedures
- Participate and provide high quality technical support for research, consultancy and contract activities
- Maintenance of an up to date knowledge of health and safety procedures and issues relating to their work environment
- Implementation of safe working procedures ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation and local codes of practice. Conduct COSHH and Risk assessments as required
- Plan and organise to ensure stocks of laboratory supplies are monitored, maintained, requisitioned and purchases made using online ordering system
- Assisting with the general management and housekeeping of the laboratories and associated facilities, to ensure that they are maintained in a safe condition
- Identification of the technical support and resource needs of teaching, research and income generation within own area of work
- To attend and contribute in the 1:1 line management meetings and technical team meetings
- Contribute to the development of a collaborative, collegiate and inclusive culture which includes sharing information and good practice with others
- Demonstrate a flexible attitude to change which will support the University in meeting existing and future needs
- Take personal responsibility to develop and maintain a professional knowledge. Commitment to achieving Professional Registration and maintaining CPD
- To carry out any additional tasks commensurate with the post as requested by the Technical Manager, Dean, or delegate
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Essential criteria
- Masters degree in biosciences ideally with demonstrable English and maths skills.
Desirable Criteria
PhD and achievement of Professional Registration or Chartered Status in a relevant area.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential criteria
- Evidence of experience and working knowledge of a wide range of laboratory techniques and equipment, in two or more of the following life science disciplines: immunology, genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology and cell biology. Considerable experience within a laboratory/research environment and up to date practical experience in the provision of technical support in a UK laboratory setting.
- Knowledge of health and safety at work practices and legal requirements, and its implementation in a laboratory, with demonstrated experience in performing COSHH and Risk Assessments .
TEACHING TRAINING AND LEARNING SUPPORT:
Essential criteria
- Ability to provide specialist advice and assistance to students to include explanation of techniques and equipment and interpretation of the concepts involved to embrace theoretical conclusions such as delivery, or support of the delivery of, regular one-off training sessions and talks in a specific subject area and of giving regular and routine introductions to students or others outside the work team.
- Evidence of recent training and developing others in scientific knowledge and skills and in the use of complex laboratory equipment, keeping abreast of the technological advances and being up-to-date with specialist skills and developing their own competencies with a commitment to CPD and Professional Registration.
COMMUNICATION:
Essential criteria
- Evidence of an ability to receive, understand and convey subject knowledge and general information clearly and with confidence in a clear and accurate manner both in person and in writing using variety of appropriate formats accessible to both students and staff.
- IT literate with proficiency in the use of office and laboratory IT technology and software.
TEAMWORK:
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable commitment and contribution to team working, able to support and encourage others in the team, help build team morale and cooperation by setting an example and showing flexible approach to delivering team results e.g. providing cover for other areas, supporting and assisting team members.
PLANNING AND ORGANISATION:
Essential criteria
- Excellent organisational skills, capable of ensuring timely and manageable workflow, with the ability to: achieve agreed objectives and delivery of an efficient service, e.g. plan ahead and anticipate needs e.g. preparation and sourcing of reagents; take independent decisions e.g. maintain and carry out basic repair of laboratory equipment, repair of equipment and contacting Estates to rectify problems with the facilities.
SERVICE DELIVERY:
Essential criteria
- Evidence of ability to provide a reliable service to students, academic staff and external users through: understanding their requirements, preparing and maintaining practical resources and carrying out related administrative duties; exploring options under the guidance of line manager to improve and adapt the service provision to meet user and stakeholder needs.
- Ability to: maintain up-to-date appropriate records; monitor resource use for own area and produce spreadsheets; analyse data and predict future resource needs; initiative to improve and solve problems with experimental procedures and improving quality of service ensuring that it is cost effective e.g. preparing reagents rather than purchase kits; research, design and adapt methodology, to improve experimental procedures, e.g. create new practicals.
OTHER ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
Essential criteria
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of equality and diversity, and its practical application.
- Ability to cope with physical demands of role e.g. moving equipment and manual handling tasks and Flexible approach to working and willingness to work outside normal hours (09.00 to 17.00) and at weekends/public holidays as and when required.
How to apply:
Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the vacancy online. [sociallocker] Apply online [/sociallocker]
Closing date for receipt of online applications: 29th March, 2016
