Laboratory Technician

Contract Type: Part Time - Permanent (18.75 hours per week)

JOB OVERVIEW

Durham University International Study Centre is looking for a Laboratory Technician on a part-time basis to organise, deliver and develop technical services to support the teaching of science and laboratory skills by the centre. Specifically, to:

• Assist with the use of equipment and supplies as teaching aids as required
• Assist teaching staff in the identification of the technical support needs generated by the curriculum
• Coordinate the use of the science laboratories
• Assist students in the conduct of experiments
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in the delivery of technical services
• Develop professionally to ensure the service and advice to the Department is up to date
• To work collaboratively with the Centre and the University to provide excellent technical support to staff and students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensuring the maintenance of a system for notification of practical requests, with appropriate notice periods and feedback to teachers on availability.
• The timely preparation, setting up, and testing of materials, components, apparatus and equipment and ensuring their retrieval and clearing away after use. Carrying out demonstrations when required
• Ensuring the requirements for practical examinations/assessments are met
• Providing technical advice and assistance to teachers and students including assisting in practical classes where appropriate.
• Assisting the maintenance and repair of apparatus and equipment either by staff or contractors
• Locking up of laboratories and stores and securing equipment when not in use
• Assisting with the provision of apparatus and materials in compliance with the relevant regulations
• Identifying equipment needs in consultation with teaching staff and participating in the selection of new items.
• Advising teaching staff of the technical requirements raised by the curriculum and identifying in conjunction with teaching staff the technical support needs generated by curriculum development.
• Contributing to the documentation of experiment protocols
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, among others, matters relating to COSHH, Health and Safety at Work Acts, and Electricity at Work Regulations. Ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations and policies
• Operating and monitoring systems for the safe storage of equipment, apparatus and materials
• Assisting with the disposal of waste laboratory materials
• Ensuring satisfactory maintenance of laboratories, storage rooms and preparation rooms, and liaison on safety and relevant legal requirements
• Ensuring that apparatus, equipment and tools are appropriately maintained and issued
• Provision of advice and assistance to staff on safe working practices and problems relating to health and safety, in particular on the use of apparatus and equipment
• Assisting teaching staff with the creation of risk assessments
• If trained, first aid treatment of minor laboratory injuries

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• BTEC Higher Certificate or Advanced City and Guilds or HNC/HND or BSc/BEng or equivalent degree. Other relevant qualifications will be considered.
• Experience, and a positive track record, of providing technical laboratory support in an educational setting
• Experience in advising or supporting others to develop experiments as part of curriculum development is desirable.
• Knowledge of science in relation to the main subject specialisms and curricular requirements
• Knowledge of materials, apparatus and equipment, as well as relevant health and safety regulations
• Proven competence in IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail, etc.)
• A student-centred and client-focused approach.

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