Job Purpose
To provide technical expertise in a relevant discipline and advice on the creation, set up and best operation of technical resources to aid the delivery of the highest quality research and teaching outcomes at SCENE. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the College & School Strategy.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. To provide technical support to the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) to both academic and student service users. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the facility to ensure an excellent experience for users.
2. Responsibility for ensuring the efficient day to day running of both teaching and research laboratories, including the maintenance of consumables.
3. Responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of Home Office Establishment Licenced rooms for a variety of projects to meet the requirements of differing research needs and for the maintenance of facilities to Home Office standard.
4. Responsibility for managing the day-to day running of the aquarium, which will include support (practical and advice) on Home Office activities including the provision of support requiring an ASPL
Home Office Personal Licence.
5. Responsibility for basic teaching & research facility maintenance, including liaising with contractors and raising work orders.
6. Undertake data acquisition and analysis as required by specific projects. This may include the use of statistical software.
7. Responsibility for ordering and inventory maintenance of SCENE consumables and for research activity support tasks as directed by the Research Support Manager and PI’s
8. Maintain SCENE’s laboratory equipment, diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems relating to equipment, techniques, procedures and protocols, carrying out appropriate maintenance as necessary.
9. Responsibility for basic maintenance of specialised equipment and scheduling maintenance of that equipment including but not limited to: boats, outboard engines, water pumps, trailers, electrofishing equipment.
10. In liaison with the PI’s, monitor technical standards, advise, instruct, train and provide guidance to research staff and students in the techniques and operation of equipment and apparatus as directed by the PI’s
11. Liaison with, and support of, visiting residential field training groups providing technical support, equipment, consumables and equipment use training where needed.
12. Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical work-space and facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the completion of laboratory and fieldwork risk assessments and COSHH assessments, ensuring that all Health and Safety paperwork is completed timeously and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to all applicable health and safety policies.
13. Collect data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept and databases are updated accordingly. Including the maintenance of the SCENE weather station equipment, the long-term moth recording facilities and calibration of maintenance of instruments for the collection of these data.
14. Aid with the design and set-up of experimental systems in discussion with PI’s and the Research Support Manager
15. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and departmental research group and teaching activities.
16. Keep up-to-date with advances in the disciplines relevant to SCENE research and apply this knowledge to technical activities to further enhance the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research aims.
17. Drive off-road vehicles, tow trailers and launch and drive boats as and when required by users of SCENE
The above duties are not exhaustive and the postholder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by the PI/Line manager which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 Detailed technical knowledge and experience in a relevant scientific or technical specialism.
A3 Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation.
A4 Knowledge of the animal husbandry.
A5 Current driving licence.
Desirable:
B1 BSc Degree or equivalent in relevant scientific discipline.
B2 Working towards Professional Registration with the Institute of Science & Technology to RSciTech level, or above.
B3 A Home Office ASPA personal licence.
B4 Knowledge of fish husbandry
B5 UK vehicle towing licence
B6 RYA powerboat handling level 1 and 2 qualification.
B7 Off-road driving qualification
Skills
Essential:
C1 Experience in data collation and analysis.
C2 IT skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office programme.
C3 Well-developed practical problem-solving capability.
C4 Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
C5 Numeracy and literacy skills.
C6 A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
C7 Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to plan and prioritise workload
to meet competing demands.
C8 Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.
C9 Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Desirable:
D1 Fish anaesthesia and husbandry skills.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous
professional development.
E2 Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students.
E3 Experience of support for students and academics working in ecology fieldwork.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of fish handling.
F2 Experience in setting up and maintenance of aquaria.
Additional Information
Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. As we are a merging of two Athena Swan Silver award winning bodies (the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine) we aim to achieve an Athena Swan award for the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
The award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences was re-shaped last year to create 8 new Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation. More information on the College re-shape can be accessed here: MVLS 2025. The new College shape took effect from August 2022 and this post will be based in the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/mvls2025/
The Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment is CMVLS's field research and residential teaching station on Loch Lomondside. A £7.2M facility improvements have just been completed and this post will play a role in developing the activities at this site.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/bahcm/researchfacilities/scene/
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 5, £23,715 - £27,929 per annum.
This post is full time and open ended.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.