Chief Technician Visa Sponsorship Uk
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Chief technician, Centre for Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Neuroscience.
(SJBB, WSI, and GEMRIC buildings)
Job Purpose
The postholder will report to the Head of the Centre for Neuroscience within the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, and will be responsible for co-ordinating and overseeing all technical aspects of the operation of our laboratories in the Sir James Black Building (SJBB) on the Gilmorehill site, as well as the Wellcome Surgical Institute (WI) and Glasgow Experimental MRI Centre (GEMRIC) on the Garscube campus. Responsibilities will include operational components of our research efforts, including cell culture, molecular biology and genotyping, histology/ICC and confocal imaging, and animal electrophysiology and imaging (ex vivo and in vivo). Overseeing the 21 Home Office Designated rooms in our facilities will be a crucial task.
The position holder will supervise technical staff as delegated by the Head of Centre and provide senior technical leadership to PIs, research staff, technicians, and undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Main duties and responsibilities.
1. Manage technical and operational staff in the Centre for Neuroscience’s SJBB, WSI, and GEMRIC facilities. The Head of Centre delegated line management of the core technical team, which included recruitment, induction, training and development, and an annual performance and development evaluation.
2. Be responsible for ensuring that the Home Office-designated animal rooms (21 in total, including 4 holding rooms, two of which are long-term holding) inside the centre are maintained and run in accordance with Home Office guidelines. Implement standard operating procedures to ensure that no infringements occur. Liaise closely with the NACWO, NVS, and Biological Services to ensure the proper operation of designated rooms in our facilities, as well as behavioural testing and procedural rooms utilised by our staff in the CRF and VRF.
3. Hold Safety (H&S) Committee meetings to offer H&S leadership for the Centre, ensuring compliance and best practices. Establish an efficient contact with the Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS). Investigate accidents, ensure reporting compliance, and provide safety advise to employees as needed. Act as the safety coordinator for the SJBB’s neuroscience regions, as well as the WSI and GEMRIC buildings.
4. Collaborate with SEPS to conduct H&S audits and inspections, offer advise to staff, students, and visitors, and ensure COSHH assessments are performed. Manage the health and safety induction of all new employees, students, and visitors to the SJBB, WSI, and GEMRIC.
5. Coordinate with our specialist technical personnel on all safety issues involving the MRI equipment. Maintain control over the inventory of chemicals and hazardous substances, as well as their storage sites, including viruses (GM rules) and poisons, including those that must be reported to the Counter Terrorism Police.
6. Oversee the inspection and maintenance of medical gas supplies and anaesthetic equipment throughout our buildings, including gas pipelines, regulators and manifolds, to ensure they comply with H&S laws. Ensure that anaesthesia equipment is calibrated in accordance with Home Office criteria. Maintain oxygen level sensors.
7. Management of building-related difficulties. Liaise with Estates, overseeing routine repairs and ensuring they meet H&S requirements. For more sophisticated jobs, interact with Estates and external contractors. Be proactive in identifying potential issues and ensuring routine maintenance is completed. Assist with the management of certain Estates-related initiatives in our facilities, such as room restoration or adaption.
8. Manage equipment across our buildings: Manage servicing contracts, including those for specialist MRI equipment. Provide advice on equipment repairs and replacement cycles. Ensure that laboratory equipment meets health and safety criteria and is maintained in a timely and cost-effective manner. Check freezers for alarms and inspect biological safety hoods on a regular basis. Arrange for PAT testing of electrical appliances in labs and offices throughout our facilities. Oversee specialised equipment within the School using an equipment sharing database and convey this to the School.
9. Ensure the security and safety of the SJBB neurological sections, as well as the WSI and GEMRIC facilities. Oversee SALTO access to certain structures, as well as SALTO authorization to access HO-designated rooms. Liaise with University Security workers at the Gilmorehill and Garscube locations to ensure that there are designated ‘call out’ contacts for any after-hours building difficulties, and that the individuals have suitable local knowledge (for example, the MRI facility).
10. Supervise delivery arrangements and supply orders, including gas deliveries. Oversee the proper management and disposal of specialty garbage.
11. Ensure that all CoSHH risk assessments and related paperwork are compliant, and that all laboratory activities follow standard operating procedures (SOPs). Ensure that there is a method for reviewing these RAs and updating as needed.
12. Attend College Chief Technicians meetings to exchange information and stay up to date on College activities, as well as other local committees and groups as needed, keeping in mind that these may take place at both the Gilmorehill and Garscube locations. Complete the annual space audit. Identify the fire wardens and first aiders for each structure.
13. Determine staff development needs, organise training requirements, and implement them to address growing research problems.
14. Maintain a website where staff can access all operational and safety information, as well as important documentation about the Centre for Neuroscience.
15. Perform any extra duties as assigned by the Head of School.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential:
A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent [containing professional certification and necessary formal training], as well as expertise in personal growth in a similar job.
A2. Capability to demonstrate the abilities required to perform the duties of this level of job, having gained the relevant professional knowledge and management experience in a similar or number of related specialty roles.
A3. Thorough understanding of Health and Safety requirements/considerations in complex multidisciplinary research laboratories.
Desirable:
B1. Understanding of how the Home Office ASPA operates, as well as expertise supporting animal research.
B2. A degree in a relevant scientific field.
B3. Accredited health and safety qualifications. B4. Home Office Personal Licence. B5. Training in leadership and management.
Skill and Experience
Essential:
C1. Excellent teamwork and proven people management abilities.
C2. Capability to plan and prioritise a technical service to accomplish long-term strategic goals while providing day-to-day support.
C3. Budget management experience, including spending approval, purchase negotiation, and outgoings tracking on behalf of others.
C4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
C5. Previous experience in technical leadership in a university or research setting.
C6. Demonstrates excellent management skills, including the ability to lead and motivate others to achieve strategic goals.
C7. Clearly demonstrate current knowledge of health and safety legislation.
C8. Significant relevant professional experience in a similar research setting.
C9. Strong leadership, managerial, and organisational abilities.
Please keep in mind that as part of your application, you must address and demonstrate how you fit each of the essential/desirable requirements.
Informal inquiries about the role should be sent to Prof. John Riddell (John.Riddell@glasgow.ac.uk).
Terms & Conditions.
The annual salary for Grade 7 will range from £39,347 to £44,263.
This position is full-time and open-ended.
The University of Glasgow is responsible for ensuring that all personnel are eligible to reside and work in the UK. If you need a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you must first complete the visa route’s eligibility conditions before being awarded a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please keep in mind that if tradeable points are allowed under the Skilled Worker visa criteria, this post may be eligible for sponsorship. For further information, visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a member of Team UofG, you will be part of a globally changing, inclusive community that values ambition, excellence, integrity, and curiosity.
As a respected part of our team, you should expect:
1 A friendly and engaging organisational culture in which your skills are fostered and cultivated, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An good employment package with generous terms and conditions, including 41 days of leave for full-time employees, a pension (pension handbook: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/), benefits, and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to employment.
4 Our commitment to your health and wellbeing includes a complimentary 6-month UofG Sport membership for new staff (https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/).
We think that we can only attain our greatest potential by combining the talents of everyone. Our ideals prioritise equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are encouraged from all members of our communities, particularly those from the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, as well as those with other protected characteristics who are underrepresented at the University. Read more about how the University encourages and integrates all aspects of equality and diversity into our community at https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We support the concepts of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and have bronze, silver, and gold awards throughout the University.
We are investing in our company, and we will also invest in you. More information can be found on our website at https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs.
