The University of Sheffield
Support Technician
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
As a Support Technician you will work as an integral member of the School’s existing technical team. Reporting to Senior Technicians and Technical Managers, you will support the School’s teaching and research activities by providing an effective and efficient technical service across the School, specifically in the field of histology and neuropathology, and where required will support wider School activities. This will include supporting student projects (UG, PGT & PGR), a range of academic research projects and specific or specialist business needs of the School.
You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognized for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Provide technical support on a range of issues across the School, with a specific focus on histology and neuropathology. This includes liaising with academics and PG students regarding potential work and carrying out experimental procedures under the guidance of senior colleagues and/or study leads. Report technical issues to senior staff as appropriate.
- Provide support and cover when required to teaching and research activities undertaken in the School, most prominently in histology procedures.
- Support general lab activities and provide basic lab management duties, working under the guidance of study leads and senior technical colleagues to ensure high quality sample processing, storage and record keeping.
- Use, monitor and maintain a variety of general and specialist technical equipment, to meet the needs of the School with regard to research, teaching and experimental work.
- Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues where appropriate.
- Present data and results accurately and appropriately to staff and students involved in the research study as required.
- Plan and perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
- Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research & teaching activities.
- Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students and assist with creating relevant safety documentation. Maintain appropriate records for own work area and report breaches of H&S to senior colleagues. Attend all required safety and training courses, and comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations at all times.
- Work collaboratively across the 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.
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Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
- A Degree or National Diploma in a relevant scientific field (or have equivalent experience).
- Experience of providing an effective and efficient technical support service in a research laboratory environment.
- Previous experience of supporting histology techniques and other relevant life sciences technologies.
- Knowledge of safe working practices and experience of applying Health & Safety in a laboratory or teaching environment.
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to academic, research and technical staff at all levels within the organisation.
- Technical professional registration or the willingness to work toward this.
- Ability to work well within a team whilst also being able to work independently when required.
- Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.
- Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities around tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy.
- Experience with performing specialist histology techniques, including tissue processing, sectioning and specialist stains.
Further Information
- Grade 4.2
- Salary £25,249 - £26,707(pro-rata)
- Work arrangement Part-time, 80% FTE (28 hours per week)
- Duration
- Line manager Senior Technician
- Direct reports Senior Technicians, research groups
- Our website https://www.sheffield.ac/smph
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For informal enquiries about this job contact Mark Ariaans, School Technical Manager: on m.ariaans@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 215 9561
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place shortly after the job advert closes. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage shortly after the job advertising closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team at smph-west-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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