Senior Technician (Education) – INTERNAL ONLY – (Part Time)

Job id: 084087. Salary: £37,332 – £42,099 pro rata, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 07 February 2024. Closing date: 14 February 2024.

Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sci. Department: Physics.

Contact details:Dr. Ben Blackburn. [email protected]

Location: Franklin Wilkin Building, Waterloo Campus, Primary site. Category: Professional & Support Services.

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Job description

The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) is a vibrant faculty based in the heart of London with a long tradition of world-leading research and teaching in physics, mathematics, chemistry, informatics and engineering.

This role works as part of a wider Education technical team to support the delivery of undergraduate (UG) Chemistry, Physics and Natural Sciences programmes at the Waterloo Campus. Reporting to the Technical Manager (Education), the Senior Technician (Education) will play a key role maintaining teaching lab facilities and providing technical support and supervision to practical lab classes.

The role-holder will have responsibility for the day-to-day running and maintenance of the physics teaching laboratories and auxiliary facilities. These duties include set-up, calibration and demonstration of various items of lab apparatus and equipment, and the effective turnover of teaching labs to the highest standards. They will provide supervision, training and induction for students and staff, ensuring that all health and safety protocols and standards are adhered to.

The ideal candidate will have a background in chemical sciences with professional technical experience in a higher education (HE) setting. They will have significant knowledge and experience of laboratory general technical support, health and safety standards demonstration/delivery, training and supervision across a range of lab-based teaching activities.

The successful candidate will be an active member of King’s Technical Network, engaging in Faculty and College initiatives to strengthen and share best practice, with an ongoing commitment to professional development. They will facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos in line with King’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) strategy, liaising with internal and external stakeholders.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.

This is a part time  post of 21 hours a week.

Key responsibilities
Management and leadership  

• Manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of a suite of teaching and auxiliary laboratories.
• Assume ownership of local lab assets, where appropriate, in compliance with all relevant procedures/systems. Plan and implement end-to-end lifetime lab asset management, from procurement to replacement.

Technical, health & safety

• Organise and manage the installation, maintenance and security of facilities, with oversight of local service budgets, stocks, equipment and supplies.
• Develop and deliver training and induction materials for students and staff. Assist in the development, preparation and, where appropriate, delivery of taught practical activities in the chemical sciences.
• Assume responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of health & safety arrangements in all assigned areas. Prepare and maintain safety documentation, and assist with the investigation of accidents/incidents/near miss events.
• Working with colleagues in Health and Safety Services, maintain a sound working knowledge of all relevant regulations, codes of practice and local guidance/protocols.
• Undertake Evacuation Marshal and First Aid duties for the areas of responsibility.

Professional

• Work with academic and Professional Services stakeholders to manage shared lab space and the annual teaching timetable.
• Maintain accurate and organised electronic records in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and cyber security best practice.
• Work independently, setting priorities for oneself and those of the team. Work cooperatively to achieve the service objectives, taking independent decisions as appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong relationships and networks with lab users, colleagues and contractors. Implementing environmentally sustainable practices, processes and sharing good practice.
• Commit to ongoing professional development.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience   

Essential criteria  

1.      Level 6 qualification in a relevant field, e.g., relevant Bachelors degree or equivalent, plus substantial work experience in relevant technical/scientific service posts 

2.      Evidence of an active commitment to professional development (such as working towards CSci of FHEA) 

3.      Comprehensive technical knowledge and skills of a teaching laboratory environment in a relevant field, e.g., chemistry and or biochemistry. 

4.      Comprehensive knowledge of regulations and best practice governing Physics teaching laboratories, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability. 

5.      Strong written, oral, and IT communication skills, in particular when conveying complex information to a lay/ non-expert audience.  

6.      Effective management skills of staff and the ability to work as part of team. 

7.      Ability to organise and manage own workload, and that of others. 

8.      Excellent planning & organisational skills as evidenced by successfully managing staff and facilities, identifying performance standards and putting in place mechanisms to deliver these. 

9.      Ability to train teaching staff, demonstrators, researchers, and technical staff. 

10.    Ability to take effective decisions and be an effective problem solver.  

Desirable criteria

1.      Higher degree/qualification (e.g. Masters/PhD) in a related field 

2.      Experience of supervising/advising junior team members, giving feedback on performance levels and training/coaching where necessary. 

3.      Experience in delivery and marking of lab-based taught activities. 

4.      Formal Health & Safety qualification e.g., NEBOSH/IOSH. 

5.      Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required e.g. during a weekend open day event.