Analytical Facility Technician (Chemistry)

Role Description

Department 

The Department of Chemistry is seeking a dedicated Grade 5 Technician to support our Chemistry Analytical Facility (CAF). The Chemistry Analytical Facility (CAF)  delivers world-class instrumentation and specialist technical expertise to researchers within the Department of Chemistry, across the University of York, and to commercial and external academic partners. Bringing together seven complementary sub-facilities - including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and the Micro-Analysis Service - the CAF operates as an integrated, efficient platform that offers users a streamlined, one-stop service for advanced chemical analysis and characterisation.    

The Department of Chemistry at the University of York is one of the UK's leading Chemistry departments and we are renowned internationally for our research. This is combined with a commitment to teaching and outstanding student satisfaction, and we have been recognised consistently for our family-friendly policies and are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award. As a Department we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups. We promote good practice and a strong culture of equality in higher education. As a signatory of the Technician Commitment, the University of York strongly supports technical career development, and part of this programme is the drive to recruit new talent into the technical profession in higher education.

Role 

Working in a service-facing environment, you will collaborate with academic staff, researchers, and students to ensure our world-class instrumentation runs smoothly. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Assist with regular maintenance tasks and service coordination, checking instrument status, assisting with cryogen fills and liaising with service engineers under the guidance of senior technicians.
• Carry out administrative and financial support duties for the Chemistry Analytical Facility external services  and assist with the day-to-day financial administration of the facility, including tracking usage and associated costs under the guidance of the Deputy Technical Operations Manager.
• Delivering customised training in the operation of the instrumentation, appropriate for students and members of technical, research and academic staff 
• Assisting service users with the modification of existing experiments and the development of new methods
• Contribute to the delivery of technical provision in the Department as required, for example, health and safety initiatives and Green Impact Laboratory Accreditation (GILA)

This post is available at 100% FTE on an open contract. Please note that flexible working patterns and job sharing opportunities will be considered. 

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed 

• Experience of training, supporting or assisting users with sample preparation and the safe and effective operation of analytical instrumentation in a chemistry laboratory.
• Demonstrable ability to perform complex technical tasks to a high standard with attention to detail, including analysis and interpretation of data and clear communication to others.
• Sound theoretical knowledge relevant to analytical techniques and the ability to apply practical methods to assess and resolve non-routine technical problems using initiative and judgement.
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and procedures (e.g. COSHH, risk assessment) and the ability to implement these effectively.
• Ability to plan and take responsibility for own work, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, and coordinate or supervise others where required.
• Appropriate technical qualification (HNC, HND, undergraduate degree or equivalent experience), with professional registration (RSciTech/EngTech) or willingness to work towards this.

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Hannah Briers (Deputy Technical Operations Manager), hannah.briers@york.ac.uk 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.