Laboratory Technician

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 3 years from start date

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role 

This role is based within the School of Physical Sciences within the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The purpose of this role is to assist the Laboratory Manager and Technical Support Team with the operation and maintenance of STEM laboratories, ensuring the smooth running of research laboratories and related infrastructure within two STEM schools, and associated buildings. You will receive training in the safe use of compressed and cryogenic gases, cylinders, and systems as well as on-the-job training in vacuum systems, clean rooms and associated processes, chemical preparation and disposal, and any other relevant aspect of experimental physical science research. 

Key Responsibilities 

• General care and maintenance of STEM laboratories, clean rooms, laboratory accessories, laboratory infrastructure, and equipment.
• Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of laboratory gas. Checking, changing, transporting, and overseeing the delivery and collection of compressed gas cylinders for the building.
• Cleaning clean rooms and overseeing the laundering of clean room garments.
• Responsible for making and aliquoting stocks of buffers, reagents, solvents for various running projects (research and/or teaching).
• Assisting with general maintenance through the Estates Department and supervising contractors in the laboratory.
• Performing checks and servicing of vacuum pumps (training provided).
• Assisting lab users in assembly and disassembly of equipment when required, and support lab refurbishments.
• Maintaining stocks of consumables, chemicals, and gases.
• Overseeing the disposal of waste chemicals, and maintaining chemical inventory for multiple STEM schools.
• Receiving deliveries of chemicals (and their appropriate storage), other consumables, and laboratory equipment.
• Responsibility for maintaining the pure water system and changing/ordering cartridges as and when necessary.
• Advising staff and students in laboratory and clean room procedures.
• Undertaking manual handling tasks.
• Support in the delivery of Health and Safety, including helping complete laboratory inspection audit actions.
• Ensure the specialist skills are kept up to date with appropriate hands-on experience and professional development.
• Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.
• Undertake any other duties, as agreed with line manager which may be reasonably required.

About You

Essential:

• HNC/BTEC in a scientific subject or an equivalent/higher qualification (note: candidates who have completed a Level 3 NVQ Laboratory Technician Course would also be considered).
• Familiarity with the fundamental concepts of science, technology and working in STEM laboratories.
• An understanding of health and safety in a laboratory environment.
• Aptitude and willingness to set up and maintain equipment.
• Relevant technical knowledge of equipment typically used STEM laboratories.
• Proven ability to analyse problems and work creatively to develop practical solutions.
• Proven ability to work well as part of a team.
• Good organisation skills.
• Effective oral, written communication and IT skills.

Desirable:

• Demonstrable practical experience of working within a Higher Education / scientific research establishment.
• Previous experience servicing and maintaining vacuum systems and related equipment.
• Awareness of clean room procedures.
• Understanding of chemical properties, hazards, and storage requirements.
• Familiarity with relevant health and safety regulations for STEM laboratories, including understanding the principles of COSHH risk assessment creation.
• Professional registration e.g. RSciTech, RSci, or CSci.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

This role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes campus and the post holder will be required to work from the Milton Keynes campus 5 days per week. 

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place onsite in Milton Keynes W/C 13th April. 

Early closing date notification

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should outline why you are interested in the role and should also outline how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.