Technical Assistant - Health & Safety Office

About the team/job

We are searching for an experienced laboratory professional looking for a new challenge in an international scientific environment but away from the bench. In your role as a Technical Assistant, you will support the international scientific community at EMBL Heidelberg as part of the Health & Safety team, responsible for managing all work-related aspects of health and safety with a particular focus on laboratory safety. 

The post holder reports directly to the Head of the EMBL Health and Safety Office. 

Your role

The primary duties include:

• Managing the disposal of potentially hazardous waste, i. e., collecting and autoclaving biological waste (S 1 and S 2); collecting and conditioning chemical and radioactive waste for disposal; handling inflammable solvents; measuring short-lived radioactive waste before placing in storage and clearance after decay.
• Checking hazardous areas and equipment for radioactive and/or chemical contamination and decontaminating if necessary.
• Periodic controls and clean-ups of the isotope laboratories, refill of supplies.
• Function control of the installation for collecting potentially radioactively contaminated wastewater.
• Liaising and organising with an external company for the conducting of annual checks of radiation monitors.
• Preparing and distributing dosimeters for radioactivity users, if required.
• Advising the users on the handling and disposal of chemicals.
• Supervising and monitoring the gas detection systems.
• Dealing with daily requests from scientists and craftsmen.
• Serving as a fire warden and as a first-aid attendant.
• Supporting the team in organising health-promoting campaigns.
• Other duties as assigned by the head of the Health & Safety Office. 

You have

• Professional technical training in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology (e.g. laboratory technician) or equivalent working experience in a chemical or biochemical laboratory.  
• Pronounced organisational skills and a practical, conscientious, and responsible approach to working.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in an international environment.
• A solid working knowledge of both English and German.
• Basic knowledge of MS Office applications. 

You might also have

Training as a first-aid attendant, experience in handling radioactive material and/or using Dräger gas measurement equipment. 

Why join us

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial support for relocation and installation, including your family and the availability of an excellent child care facility on campus.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here. 

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

Please note that appointments on fixed-term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

If you feel you have the right skills and experience, please apply online by submitting your CV and cover letter.