Science Technician / Lab Technician – Biology

Job Title: Science Technician (Biology)

Location: Hulme, Manchester

Salary: Salary is points 10-12 on the NJC Support Staff Pay Spine, currently £19,988.13 – £21,314.00 per annum actual salary depending on experience

Job Type: One-year fixed term, Full time, term-time only

Working Hours: 37 Hours per week, You will however, on occasions, be required to work outside these hours to meet the requirements of the college

Closing Date: 4^th July 2023

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Delivering materials for whole class practical’s and demonstrations, including those required by the subject’s practical endorsement
• Working with the departmental practical timetable and coordinating the delivery of experiments as specified in the scheme of work
• Preparing solutions and chemicals for student use
• Maintaining excellent housekeeping standards within the prep room
• Appropriately using PPE and acting in a professional manner at all times when working with chemicals and equipment
• Ensuring the safe custody of chemicals and equipment within the science department, maintaining records of stock and ensuring the accurate and clear labelling of chemicals
• Disposing of biohazardous and chemical waste correctly
• Using published data sheets and guidance to carry out risk assessments for all practical activities
• Preparing orders for scientific equipment and chemicals, through the completion of internal requisition forms, and purchasing goods directly from local suppliers as required
• Handling dissection materials, including locusts, rats, mammalian organs and fish heads
• Caring for plants kept for observation or experiment
• Checking that all the safety equipment in the teaching laboratories are present in sufficient quantity, in-date and fit for purpose, for example safety spectacles, laboratory coats, emergency eye washes, fire blankets and fire extinguishers
• Identifying apparatus for maintenance and repair through regular checks of laboratory equipment, models and visual aids
• Providing technical advice within own area of expertise to teachers and students
• Creating new experiments and developing existing activities in conjunction with teaching staff within the department
• Assisting in the delivery of extracurricular and marketing events such as Taster Days
• Helping other members of the science technician team by supporting other science departments as required and if feasible, providing assistance to non-science departments when requested
• Attending departmental and college wide meetings as appropriate
• Assisting the Head/Assistant Head of Department in the planning and timetabling of practical’s
• Working alongside the Head/Assistant Head of Department to complete departmental administration tasks
• Preparing paper and electronic copies of technician notes, risk assessments, timetables and equipment lists and service records
• Maintaining security of confidential and sensitive information
• Participating in all training events provided by the college such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, First Aid
• Accompanying teaching staff on field trips (sometimes residential), day visits to museums, universities and industrial establishments

Staffing

• To take part in staff development as appropriate.

Quality Assurance

• To ensure the effective operation of quality assurance systems.

Communications

• To ensure familiarity with the department’s aims and objectives

Marketing and Liaison

• To contribute to the College liaison and marketing activities.
• To link with external agencies as appropriate.

Management of Resources

• To contribute to the maintenance of an attractive working environment in the Science area and any other rooms used

About you:

Experience (Desirable):

• Previous experience of providing technical and general support within a Science department
• Experience of handling chemicals

Skills and Knowledge:

• The ability to handle apparatus/materials confidently and appropriately
• A good knowledge of health and safety issues relating to science laboratories and the use of equipment and chemicals
• Ability to work to deadlines and deliver an agreed scheme of work
• Ability to work with other staff as a team
• Good organisational and administrative skills
• Proficiency in working with standard office applications such as MS Word, Excel, Outlook
• Good communication skills
• Good motivational skills
• Excellent attention to detail and maintaining a quality service

Qualifications:

• Educated to Level 2, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics
• Educated to Level 3, or equivalent, in the relevant specialism
• Educated to graduate level, or equivalent, or can demonstrate comparable knowledge and understanding of the relevant specialism gained through employment

To apply for the role, please click the APPLY button and check your emails for further instructions.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Lab Technician, Laboratory Technician, Lab Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Graduate, Science Graduate, Science Assistant, Lab Tech, Science Technician, Biology Technician, Biology Assistant, will also be considered for this role.