Assistant Technical Specialist - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 106194 - Grade 6

• You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of all Sustainable Physical Metallurgy Group laboratories.
• Line management of technical staff in the facility, including conducting one-to-one meetings, annual PDR reviews, and supporting the training and development of your team.
• You may be asked to assist with teaching and outreach activities in the facility laboratories.
• You will uphold and promote high standards of Health & Safety, as well as maintain excellent housekeeping practices within the facility's laboratories.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and students. This will involve providing training for and communicating with colleagues and students at a range of experience levels.
• You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments. Provide specific support and advice, often challenging and reinterpreting requests.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager and Principal Investigator for approval on any proposed changes.
• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
• Awareness of wider activities in the facility and make appropriate suggestions to solve these within own work area.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of the research activity.
• Create, comply with, and promote the risk assessments and operating procedures for the area.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved, and in-date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff and students at all levels on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant staff members.
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by college and local policy for the laboratory.
• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables and, when required, generate purchase order requisitions using University systems, or delegate as appropriate.
• Receiving and correctly storing consumables/ equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional, and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that testing, calibration of equipment, and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
• Maintaining relevant research lab databases/ records.

• In collaboration with the relevant manager, the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role, as may reasonably be required.

• Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment, equivalent professional qualification, or degree in a relevant STEM field.
• Proven specialist knowledge of characterisation techniques, methods, and procedures gained through either extensive experience and/or formal qualifications.
• Ability to diagnose/ resolve problems and suggest solutions in own area, whilst having regard to the local and wider interests. Extensive proven practical and technical experience of own area, its operation and development.
• Ability to test and implement new approaches, services or systems.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Experience of working in a customer facing role, with a demonstrable experience of customer service principles.
• Needs to understand customer requirements and ensure solutions are developed to meet the needs of the customer.
• Ability to analyse problems and summarise key points to others, including non-specialist staff. Proactively anticipates and identifies problems/ weaknesses within own area based on own experience.
• Experience of training individuals to use specialist equipment.
• Demonstrable ability to plan ahead, work to deadlines involving time management and strong organisational skills.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices and requirements.
• Demonstrable experience in laboratory management.
• Experience training and mentoring junior staff. Experience in line management and leading and developing a team is desirable.
• Able to develop and implement improvement programmes within own local, school or service area. Manages own time and sometimes small project teams to meet a service or particular project needs.
• Will prioritise and delegate work as appropriate to ensure continuity of service.
• Provides technical guidance to junior team members. High level and range of technical support activities in specific area.
• Liaises with staff, students and technical colleagues to anticipate and understand need/ provide advice/ guidance.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

University of Birmingham