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Overview

As a Senior Technician in Microbiology, you will work as an integral member of our School’s existing technical team. Reporting to Technical Managers, you will contribute to the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to the maintenance and evaluation of a range of specialist equipment to support research activities, specifically in support of our Containment Level 2 and 3 laboratories. You will provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and to colleagues, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and health and safety compliance.

You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record. This will include maintaining a detailed awareness and full commitment to the relevant regulations and providing timely safety information and updates carrying out and documenting risk assessments.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Supervise and maintain the School’s Containment level 3 (CL3) and Containment level 2 (CL2) laboratories. Provide inductions, training and supervision for CL2 & CL3 lab work. Provide practical support to new and existing staff and students and support microbial, GMO, infection and clinical trial studies.
• Working with and reporting to the CL3 Facility Manager and its Academic Director, maintain and manage a strict security, maintenance and decontamination regime within the CL3 facility regarding hazardous or GM organisms and personnel working within it, in accordance with HSE legislation and Counter Terrorism requirements.
• Develop, perform and refine research experiments as required. Support the daily running of School microbiology laboratories, to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence.
• Present data and results to academic research groups and wider audiences as required.
• Plan and perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of pathogen collections, authorised users, statutory inspections etc to meet internal and external requirements and legislation. Keep accurate records of laboratory usage and assist with budget management for our high containment laboratories.
• Maintain accurate lab databases, including SOPs, Code of Practice, CoSHH, etc.
• Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service across the School. Liaise with colleagues regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
• Provide detailed training, development and instruction on equipment and techniques to staff and students across the School, ensuring a strong emphasis on Health and safety is maintained throughout.
• Undertake short term project management within own work area or contribute as part of larger department-wide project teams, to support the achievements of project objectives. Provide detailed technical input to ensure technical considerations are considered through the lifespan of the project.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the School with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
• Maintain a good awareness of and full commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students. Carry out and document risk assessments on student and staff activities, maintain training records and liaise with Division and School Health and Safety Officers to ensure compliance with UK legislation and University policies.
• Attend training and further education, including Continuous Professional Development activities, when applicable and commensurate with continued job developments and breath of skills training.
• Work collaboratively across our School providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• As a member of our professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.