Job Purpose
This post, working with Dr David Hughes in the Centre for Neuroscience's Spinal Cord Group, involves providing technical support for two projects: “Spinal Modulation of Non-peptidergic C-nociceptor Input: A Role for Inhibitory Calretinin Interneurons” funded by the BBSRC, and “ENDASCOP: Establishing Neuronal Drivers And the Spinal Circuitry of Osteoarthritis Pain” funded by the Wellcome Trust. These projects aim to define the roles of different spinal cord nerve cell populations in processing pain information originating from the skin or from joints. You will provide in-depth technical expertise, particularly for genotyping and tissue processing. You will also provide advice on the creation, set up and best operation of technical resources to aid the delivery of research and/or teaching objectives. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the College/School Strategy/Centre. The post is full- time for 3 years.
M a in Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide in-depth technical support to academic and student service users within the specified discipline or assigned research project. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.
2. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice to service users to maximise the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research objectives.
3. Develop, create, and test new equipment, systems, procedures, protocols, models and/or techniques. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.
4. Design, plan, and organise technical activities to meet the needs of service users within agreed timescales.
5. In liaison with relevant senior staff, monitor technical standards. Advise, implement, and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.
6. Collect, analyse, and interpret data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept, and that databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately. This may include research and/or teaching related data.
7. To advise, train and provide guidance to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources.
8. Where relevant, to maintain appropriate stock levels, including appropriate preparation of specialised media and samples as required, and to purchase consumables and supplies within defined budget. Ensure safe implementation and ongoing storage of potentially hazardous materials.
9. Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical work-space and facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the completion of risk assessments and COSHH assessments, ensuring that all Health and Safety paperwork is completed timeously and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to all applicable health and safety policies, including specialist legal procedures for certain materials.
10. Where relevant supervise staff including allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.
11. In roles within teaching laboratories, undertake general administration as required. This may include recording student attendance and collating student assessment marks for feedback to the academic lead.
12. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/Institute/School activities as required.
13. Keep up to date with advances in the relevant discipline and apply this knowledge to technical activities to further enhance the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research aims.
Knowledge / Qualifications
Essential:
A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2. Detailed technical knowledge and expertise in relevant discipline.
A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation.
A4. BSc Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline is desirable.
A5. Working towards Professional Registration with relevant body.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
C1 Demonstrable in-depth technical skills aligned to the specified discipline or assigned research project. Details of the discipline/project are as described in the post-specific information and advert.
C2 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages.
C3 Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
C4 Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
C5 Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills.
C6 Ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands.
C7 Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.
C8 Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.
C9 Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 - £29,605 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and is open ended with funding available for up to 3 years in the first instance, with the potential for additional funding.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 136788 Close Date : 14-Feb-2024 23:45