Senior Research Technician (Environmental Mass Spectrometry) - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - 106416 - Grade 5 chez The University of Birmingham

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Grade: 5

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 15th October 2025

Background

The College of Life and Environmental Sciences is one of 5 colleges in the University and consists of 4 schools: Biosciences; Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences; Psychology; and Sport and Exercise and Rehabilitation. We are dedicated to exploring the diversity and evolutionary challenges of life in all its forms. Across the breadth of life and environmental sciences, we discover, apply and translate science, forging major advances in human and environmental health. From exercise, biomedicine and mental health to climate change, food security and resilience we combine original thinking and real-world experience with clear focus and rigour. 

Together, we are developing solutions to ensure a healthier and a more sustainable future.

This post will oversee the CoLES Environmental Mass Spectrometry Facility housed in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. 

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance within the CoLES Environmental Mass Spectrometry Facility. This includes the analytical capability for stable isotope analyses in both solid and liquid phases as well as advanced biomarker analyses including the determination of compound-specific isotopes. At present the facility uses Isoprime IRMS, with both solid and liquid autosamplers, for the analysis of δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, δ²H and δ¹⁵N. Molecular biomarker and contents analysis is undertaken by GC-FID, GC-ECD, elemental analyser and GC–MS, with compound specific-isotope analysis by GC-IR-MS. 

The post holder will be expected to maintain laboratory equipment (items listed above and associated equipment), order consumables and to write COSHH, laboratory risk assessments and standard operating procedures where appropriate. 

The post holder will also provide support for and contribute to College activities under the direction of the Technical Manager and Operations Manager as required.

To flexibly use resources, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the School, College or wider university.

Main Duties

• Operate, maintain, and oversee use of the Environmental mass spectrometers.
• Carry out or assist in managing experiments within the facility. 
• Advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with individuals at a range of levels and experience. 
• Diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions regarding techniques and experiments.
• Communicate directly and work closely with PIs, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduates and other internal and external users on projects and experiments. 
• Maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out. 
• Lead on data quality assurance for all data coming out of the facility.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
• Contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.
• Troubleshoot technical problems and liaise with manufacturer to organise maintenance visits and scheduled services.
• Contribute to the invoicing of the facility and maintenance of the facility budget.
• Promote the facility internally and externally, e.g., maintaining the website and engaging with potential external users.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the facility. 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 completed.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records, including of trained users, are maintained. 
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the facility.
• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and/or Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation

• 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.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facility is maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. 
• dopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures including supporting Green Lab Accreditation requirements.

Other Duties

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

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Essential

• A BSc or MSc in a physical science, environmental science or engineering discipline.
• Laboratory experience of stable isotope and/or molecular analytical techniques.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods. 
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• 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.
• 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.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff, early career researchers and students; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for others. You will be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy. 

Internal and External relationships

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.

Informal enquiries to Eimear Orgill, email: [email protected] 

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.