Job description

The School of Basic & Medical Biosciences is looking to recruit 2 technicians who will contribute to the smooth running of our research departments based in Tower wing, Guy’s Campus. They will lead on the ordering of goods and products used by the researchers, raising requisitions and purchase orders, goods receipting, dealing with deliveries and ensuring correct storage of temperature sensitive items. They will be expected to contribute to a number of technical objectives including but not limited to, health and safety compliance, good laboratory practice, maintenance of equipment, interactions with external stakeholders (engineers, delivery staff, maintenance and security personnel etc.) and act as a point of contact for staff enquiries.   

The post would suit someone looking to pursue a career in technical management. The ideal candidate will be a dependable team player, able to work well with a technical team who deliver a comprehensive technical service across multiple locations The successful candidate will be able to work independently when appropriate,, possessing excellent planning and communication skills and able to prioritise their own workload effectively. They will be expected to build relationships with a wide set of stakeholders across academic, technical, finance, health & safety, estates & facilities directorates to support the research and educational objectives of the School. 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract   

This is a full-time  post

 Key responsibilities

•       Provide a range of services where there are established service standards.   

•       Use a broad range of technical or practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical or scientific practices and procedures, applying knowledge in the context of new areas. 

•       Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days  pro rata per year. 

•       Oversee service facilities ensuring efficient use of resources, installing, maintaining, and securing technical equipment systems and software and controlling local budgets, stocks/store, equipment, and supplies, while adhering to King’s principles of ethics and sustainability. 

•       Oversee service facilities ensuring efficient use of resources, installing, maintaining, and securing technical equipment systems and software and controlling local budgets, stocks/store, equipment, and supplies, while adhering to King’s principles of ethics and sustainability. 

•       Manage own workload within the parameters of an-agreed work plan, responding to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided and resolving problems as they arise, using standard procedures and initiative 

•       Use well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills to identify trends and patterns, using appropriate techniques and procedures to inform decisions with an impact on the local service, with a potential impact for 6 months to a year. 

•       Resolve routine and complex problems that arise in the local service.  

•       Work with colleagues and network as agreed by the line manager(s).  

•       Actively engage in King’s Technical Network, building a network across the Faculty to provide peer support and opportunities to share best practice. 

•       Forge relationships with colleagues in the School, Faculty, university and external to the university, to build relationships, disseminate and get information, coordinate, and deliver the service. 

•       Provide advice and guidance and, where appropriate, training.  

•       Communicate information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing. 

•       Contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures 

•       Implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following the King’s sustainability audit process, where appropriate. Collaborate with colleagues to share good practice and support wider sustainable initiatives and suggest new ideas where you see that improvements could be made. 

•       Implement and monitor compliance with regulations governing the service, to ensure a safe and environmentally sustainable workplace.  

•       Report accidents/ incidents to line manager(s)/ supervisor. 

•       Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working with academic, research and other professional services staff and colleagues external to King’s. 

•       Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       Minimum level 3 qualification, e.g. A levels, AS levels, International Baccalaureate diploma or other Level 3 qualification, plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts OR Considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts. 

2.       Evidence of an active commitment to career development including professional registration, such as RSciTech or RSci and clear progression in increasingly demanding jobs. 

3.       Knowledge and practical use of a range of technical skills and their environmental impact.  

4.       Ability to apply learnt techniques to the work context. 

5.       Clear spoken and written communication skills, with proficient computer use and strong interpersonal and influencing/behavioural skills  

6.       Proactive and responsive to contacts in immediate area, across the wider organisation and externally (e.g., suppliers) to build relationships and network. 

7.       Solutions-focused self-starter, with strong planning and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities and work with minimal supervision. 

8.       Working knowledge of regulations and best practice governing area of work, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability  

9.        Experience of ordering goods and services in a research environment and dealing with suppliers to meet the needs of the researchers. 

10.   Ability to balance work time efficiently manage multiple and conflicting demands.   

11.   Manual handling experience and/or training.  

Desirable criteria

1.   Experience in supervising/advising less experienced colleagues, monitoring, and providing feedback on performance 

2.   Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required 

3.   Experience of working within a molecular biology focused University or Research Institute department.