Technical Scientific Officer

Job title:

Technical Scientific Officer

Company

Newcastle University

Job description

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annumNewcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.Closing Date: 22 May 2024The RoleThis is an exciting opportunity to join a team of SNES technical staff as a Technical Scientific Officer. The role will support the botanical research activities of Professor Neil Boonham in the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences through the provision of technical expertise. This is an Innovate UK funded project that seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of automated spore sampling to improve decision making of farmers and agronomists using fungicides in the apple and grapevine sectors.The project will involve a significant amount of high-level laboratory work as well as some seasonal fieldwork.This work will be carried out on Newcastle University campus, and at off-site locations in Kent and Herefordshire. The successful applicant will support and supervise activities associated with the role as designated by the lead PI and under the direction of the Technical Team Leader of the area and the School Technical Manager. They should have demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with technical, academic and research colleagues as well as experience of supporting associated research activity.We are looking for someone who is creative and can think independently to solve complex problems relevant to the role. The person should be able to work under minimum supervision, engaging with the wider technical services and take pride in their own performances.This is a full time, fixed term (24 months) position.For more information or informal enquiries, please contact David Whitaker, SNES Technical Manager: email or Professor Neil Boonham, Academic Lead: emailFor further details about the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences visitFor further details about Newcastle University please visit our information page at:Key Accountabilities

• To have expertise on equipment and techniques to support specific high value research activities

• To act as a recognised source of technical expertise in the required skills and techniques relevant to the project (see below) and when applicable contribute to the design of novel procedures to support and advance the research

• Contribute to further developing research activities of the project and of the research group including (when applicable) developing new techniques and (re)designing project specific apparatus

• Where applicable, operate and maintain the instrumentation (both hardware and software) related to the laboratory/fieldwork. To use appropriate software, including programmes linked to specific equipment and those used to carry out data analyses and to present experimental results to the research group and external partners. This may include provision of technical support and advice for data analysis; assisting and advising users on the selection, design and execution of experimental techniques; archiving data

• Carry out specialised molecular techniques and procedures appropriate to the research being carried out, including qPCR testing of samples

• To manage services to all stakeholders, which may include data acquisition, analysis and/or report writing. Effectively communicate and work within a large team composed of external partner organisations, other university staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students, including regular reporting

• Under the direction of the Technical Team Leader of the area, ensure the effective maintenance, security and facility management in their area of expertise, including third party arrangements

• Under the direction of the Technical Team Leader of the area and the in conjunction with the wider technical team, ensure satisfactory maintenance, repair and calibration of all equipment and instrumentation within their area. To assist in the forward planning to upgrade and replace equipment

• Monitor and maintain safe working environment to Health and Safety guidelines in conjunction with the School Safety Officer. Attend local safety committees for their areas of responsibility

• In conjunction with the wider technical team, ensure the disposal of hazardous materials according to standard University procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures and updating research activity related standard operating procedures, risk assessments, COSHH, and BioCOSHH documentation. In conjunction with the School Health & Safety Officer and Technical Team Leader of the area, monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements

• When required, train and advise staff and research students in appropriate laboratory/field techniques and good practice to ensure that they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner; to provide laboratory/field supervision and training for postgraduate and undergraduate project students and, occasionally, for other technical staff to ensure safe working practices are followed

• Ensure sound financial accounting whilst maintaining best value principles by maintaining records relating to the purchase of materials and stock items used for research and ensure all relevant inventories are up to date

The PersonKnowledge, Skills and Experience

• Substantial work experience in a technical/scientific or relevant work environment
• Up-to-date and detailed knowledge of Health & Safety policies and procedures both within the laboratory and fieldwork settings
• Ability to implement and manage change with demonstrable recent experience and skills in client management, and the ability to develop good working relationships across all stakeholders and teams
• Provide technical expertise and lead on specialised techniques and procedures in support of the research activity
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate results to a broad audience
• High level planning, organising and technical problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to problem solving utilising excellent prioritisation skills
• Good numerical skills and the ability to manipulate, analyse and present information for management use
• Good evidence of project management and ability to meet deadlines
• Experience of working collaboratively with academic staff and other stakeholders
• Experience of culturing fungal organisms
• Experience of DNA extraction
• Experience of qPCR
• A Full current Driving Licence or the ability to travel to field sites in Kent/Herefordshire periodically – no more than once per month between March – August

Desirable

• Experience of performing LAMP amplification
• Experience of performing DNA based analysis on trapped fungal spores
• Experience of trapping fungal spores
• Professional Registration

Attributes and BehaviourThinking strategically

• Has the ability to see the “big picture”, to think strategically and to manage complex problems and issues
• Able to create a vision for own area and explain how it fits in with the overall strategic vision of the University
• Understands and makes sense of complex or conflicting data and different perspectives of stakeholders and University areas/faculties/etc
• Works through the implications of situations in order to identify the most appropriate way forward in order to meet strategic goals
• Uses analytical techniques to break down complex problems into component parts

Embracing Change

• Recognises the need for change and is forward looking
• Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas
• Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements
• Accepts the reality and requirements of change as part of achieving organisational goals
• Is able to achieve change at individual and functional level
• Reviews and revises plans, to meet with changing circumstances
• Is supportive of others during change
• Develops and implements new ideas

Team-working

• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the project where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
• Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different
• Shares relevant and useful information with others and keeps other team members up to date with progress
• Gets involved with team tasks
• Willing to help others and share workloads
• Supportive of team decisions
• Asks others’ opinion
• Encourages others to get involved
• Talks about other team members in a positive way
• Respects the value that different views bring to the team

Developing Talent

• Motivates and develops self and others to achieve high performance
• Demonstrates a positive approach to developing skills and general performance
• Personally involved in supporting the development of others – acting as a trainer
• Helps others to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses
• Gives “on the job” support and training

Planning and organising

• Manage time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively
• Identifies quickly what is important and prioritises accordingly
• Maintains flexibility in work plans to allow for changing circumstances
• Works in a planned and structured way
• Ensures all activities are completed on time
• Uses systems and tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date

Qualifications

• BTEC Higher Diploma, University Degree OR equivalent level qualification in a suitable field plus significant technical/scientific work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles
• PhD in a relevant subject (plant science, molecular biology, microbial biology)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.At Newcastle University we hold a silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.Requisition ID: 27049

Expected salary

Location

Newcastle

Job date

Thu, 16 May 2024 22:06:38 GMT

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