Laboratory Technician (HTRC) - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 100313 - Grade 5

Based at the High Temperature Research Centre, Ansty, the post holder will undertake activities that support research and development, capability acquisition and research projects within HTRC. They will be responsible for supporting the research activities of the groups working within the Centre by providing characterisation, validation and laboratory support, in addition to supporting the routine testing, characterisation, verification and release of incoming materials and similar characterisation of materials sampled from within the manufacturing process. This will include maintaining records of work requested and completed, issuing data to the research projects to support the completion of their milestones, trend analysis and reporting of key characteristics using statistical process control methods. The post holder will operate and maintain a range of scientific equipment to required standards. Techniques to be operated will include room and elevated temperature mechanical properties, dilatometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, rheometry, porosimetry, X-ray diffraction and metallographic preparation and characterisation. The post holder may also be required to occasionally undertake similar duties for HTRC at the Edgbaston campus. Main Duties Research/Project Support

• Have some knowledge of the operation of a wide range of research equipment including but not limited to:
+ Rheology. + Thermal diffusivity. + Dilatometry. + Differential Scanning calorimetry. + Thermogravimetric analysis. + Laser scattering particle size analysis. + X-ray diffraction. + Porosimetry. + Mechanical testing both elevated and ambient. + Microscopy. + Materialographic preparation equipment. This will involve setting up tests and experiments, and acquiring and processing data for use in process monitoring and control, publications and related activities. Data related to normal operation of the Centre will be monitored and analysed using statistical process control methods.
• To track and record routine work throughput and discuss at weekly review.
• To advise, train, assist and supervise as appropriate academic and research staff and students on experimental and research techniques and technical issues. This would include assisting users in the obtaining of optimum results.
• Responsible for ensuring assigned items of laboratory equipment are kept in good working order and calibrated as/when required. This would include arranging maintenance and keeping appropriate records as required by the Quality Management System.
• Notify the Laboratory Manager of any foreseeable safety issues or requires changes to infrastructure.
• To support HTRC research projects, and provide technical assistance for collaborations and contribute to future direction of the projects, including on equipment usage and methods, developing and testing equipment and methods for novel analysis, and offering solutions.
• To notify and liaise with the Laboratory manager regarding HTRC research projects updates, needs/requirements and issues and where appropriate to plan effect solutions to progress the projects to meet their set milestones.
General Laboratory Support
• Responsible for the reporting of and monitoring and resolution for any failures of the infrastructure supporting the centre.
• Responsible for ensuring all research and support staff comply with basic housekeeping policies. This would include the establishment of appropriate rotas for the upkeep of communal areas and compliance monitoring.
• Maintaining minimum levels of laboratory consumables to ensure timely delivery of information and results.
• To undertake any other tasks that might reasonably be asked by the Laboratory Manager or Centre Director and are suitable by way of knowledge and experience, or can be achieved by a programme of re-training. Such tasks might include, but not be limited to, assistance in other laboratories and with School/College Open Days and Outreach events.
Health and Safety/Environmental Issues University Policy states that Academic staff hold ultimate responsibility for health and safety within their areas of work. The tasks above are designed to assist Academic staff in meeting this obligation
• Responsible for complying with all aspects of basic H&S relating directly to the activities of the Centre laboratory.
• Ensure all hazardous substances are appropriately stored in accordance with School/ University Policy.
• Ensure that waste, laboratory and general, is disposed of via the correct waste management stream as governed by Centre/ School/University policy.
Other Duties
• Assist with weekly/monthly fire checks as required.
• Under the direction of the Laboratory Manager or the Centre Director take part in College wide activities commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder.
  
  A science-based degree or equivalent experience gained in a laboratory environment.
Previous Experience
• Material characterisation techniques and instrumentation.
• Data presentation and reporting.
• Hands-on experimental work.
• Method development.
• Some experience of materialographic preparation and the equipment involved.
• Some experience of the investment casting process.
Other essential skills and qualities
• Effective communicator.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• A willingness to learn the roles and requirements of the post and attend training as required.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision but function as part of a team.
• Act as a positive role model regarding professional service delivery and behaviour.
• Organisational and time management skills.
• A willingness to travel to and work at other research establishments as required.
• Proficient in Word, Excel packages etc and an ability to understand and interrogate data.
• Good knowledge of health and safety issues, including compliance with Radiation policies, COSHH and Risk Assessments and to undertake electrical safety testing.
• Strong desire to increase knowledge of analytical equipment, including attending training courses and relevant conferences, Maintains energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of individual area/specialism and objectives.
• Remains approachable for support and challenge from and to colleagues in their area/specialism.
• Supports team decisions and works co-operatively and effectively with people to implement plans.
Communication
• Maintains regular communications with those working within own area/specialism and supporting projects.
• Expresses ideas coherently through a variety of media.
  
  The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham, We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.