• Job Description

  Req#: 5260

  Position Details

  College of Life and Environmental Sciences

  Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

  Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,396 to £33,966 with potential progression once in post to £38,205

  Grade: 6

  Full Time, Permanent

  Closing date: 18th August 2024

  Background

  The Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham brings together practical teaching activities for over 3000 students each year from a broad range of science and engineering disciplines. This facility consists of 9 multidisciplinary laboratories with 10,000 m2 of new purpose-built and refurbished spaces, designed to provide a sector-leading learning experience. In addition, this multidisciplinary approach provides the environment to encourage and facilitate collaborative and inter-disciplinary working for both staff and students.

  This facility continues to build on an initial investment of over £45 million, utilising its scale to innovate across disciplines and open new ways to deliver laboratory-based teaching that inspires and prepares our graduates for their future professions.

  The shared spaces, practices, management and support make more effective and efficient use of staff time and resources. However, most CTL spaces are now routinely operating at above 70% usage, some above 90%.

  The CTL provides a visually stimulating and interactive environment in which to showcase STEM subjects to a wider audience, providing flexible spaces for public engagement, widening participation, recruitment, conferences and continuing professional development. These activities are aligned with the University’s 2030 strategy and impact on local, national and international audiences.

  The Dry Lab is based within the CTL building and technically supports the delivery of lab based practical lab sessions for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) and College of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES).

  Role Summary

  The Laboratory Manager (Dry Lab) will be responsible for all aspects relating to the performance and management of the Dry Lab. The post-holder will support the delivery of effective and efficient day-to-day management and organisation of the Dry Lab which includes technical support, administration, operational management, health & safety compliance and technical management. The role holder will ensure that expert in-lab support is provided, to ensure that all aspects of practical labs run well according to the Academic timetabled commitments and that the student experience is high. They will collaborate with Academic teaching staff from College of EPS and College of LES to assist in the development and modification of practical lab sessions, providing advice and guidance on what can be achieved within the CTL.

  The role holder will need to feel comfortable operating in a fast-paced and busy laboratory environment. They will need the ability to work under minimal supervision using their initiative to make decisions. Flexibility (including around hours of work to meet the Academic timetabled commitments) and a willingness to learn new skills will be essential. This role is part of a wider team of dedicated staff supporting the provision of specialist practical teaching facilities. There will be times when the role holder may be required to work across different CTL managed areas across the Edgbaston campus. They will provide supervision of technical staff, and even where they do not directly supervise staff they will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

  The role holder will develop an understanding of the requirements to deliver undergraduate and taught postgraduate lab sessions, student recruitment events and Outreach events. This will include monitoring the provision of equipment and consumables. They will be expected to develop an in-depth understanding of all main subject areas supported by Dry Lab, to be able to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, troubleshoot problems and optimise protocols to ensure a positive student experience. They may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate timetabled lab sessions – but they will have the autonomy to flexibly structure their working pattern to support these requests.

  Main Duties

  In-lab Support:

  The role holder is responsible for all aspects covering practical lab provision within their area of responsibility. Duties will include:

  • To provide daily in-lab operational support to teaching staff using the lab space to ensure that practical aspects of the lab sessions are delivered free from equipment breakdowns, a lack of consumables, etc. For unforeseen issues, to trouble-shoot and res
  • Respond to problems which may occur during practical sessions.
  • To provide laboratory inductions to lab users and to train and instruct in the correct operation of teaching facilities. These lab users principally include - Academic teaching staff and Post Graduate Teaching Assistants (PGTA) who supervise/teach students during lab sessions.
  • To assist CTL partner Schools with the development of new and improvement of existing practical labs, through proactively putting forward suggestions to ensure that lab sessions make best use of relevant CTL spaces and equipment. This will involve trialing and refining lab sessions (including individual experiments) and setting up mock sessions to test set-up and in-lab experience.
  • Identify and report building-related problems, working closely with the Building Coordinator and local Facilities teams, acting as a local point of contact as required.

  Operational Support (including equipment):

  The role holder is responsible for all operational aspects within their area of responsibility. Duties will include:

  • To implement and refine safe and effective workflow and operational procedures including the testing and modifying of student protocols for preparation, set-up and clear-away.
  • To assist in the preparation of the CTL requests to the EPS Equipment and Facilities committee for the procurement of new and replacement equipment and infrastructure. This may include arranging for the demonstration of equipment, obtaining quotations and assisting with procurement processes.
  • Ensure that all equipment within the CTL is fit for purpose and is maintained to a satisfactory standard. Undertake and coordinate maintenance, repair, calibration and cleaning of equipment in-house where safe and feasible to do so.
  • Collaborate with the wider CTL Operations Team to manage and plan the timetabling for CTL managed space and equipment for the Dry Lab (both timetabled taught lab session, student recruitment events and time and set-up/clear-away) making efficient of the teaching facility from a scheduling and utilisation perspective.
  • To monitor a budget for consumables and equipment repair, providing reports as required.
  • Proactively maintain Dry Lab 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 your area of responsibly is maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
  • To calculate full economic costs for facility use and to prepare utilisation reports.
  • Promote the CTL to potential external clients, exploring opportunities for use and likely cost.

  Health, Safety and Laboratory Management:

  The role holder is responsible for the management of health, safety, security and infrastructure within the Dry Lab. Duties will include:

  • To provide advice and guidance on all issues relating to health and safety (in collaboration with other safety related staff where appropriate).
  • Ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place (and available) and assist in the production/updating of these documents (e.g. risk assessments may include General, Chemical Hazard Risk Assessment, Laser and Radiation, etc.). Monitor that specified control measures are being followed and to stop any unsafe activity observed.
  • To be responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the Dry Lab including ensuring that regular statutory checks (e.g. Local Exhaust Ventilation and Fume Cupboards, Radiation, Legionella, PAT etc.) are completed and that high standards of housekeeping are maintained.
  • Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the H&S Coordinator. Ensure that all accidents, incidents and near misses are reported, taking any actions required to prevent reoccurrence.
  • Ensure that the Laboratory infrastructure remains fit-for-purpose and in good condition, working with CTL building coordinator and Estates Maintenance to explore opportunities for small scale works and to resolve any faults.
  • To manage laboratory security controlling access with the Building Coordinator.
  • To act as an out-of-hours contact, working with CTL Buildings Coordinator, Estates and Security to help resolve urgent facility issues.
  • To act as the CTL Hazard Waste Coordinator to ensure that the correct waste disposal stream is followed as governed by College and University policy.
  • Postholders will be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.
  • Provide support to the CTL H&S Coordinator with regards to monitoring H&S compliance with University policies and adopt best practice for their area of responsibility.
  • Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.

  Staff Management:

  • Provide direct line management support, setting duties and monitoring progress.
  • To provide support, guidance and work closely to manage staff in relation to working requirements, working environment, staff wellbeing and identifying any training requirements as appropriate.
  • 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.
  • Maintain records of education and training, being proactive in developing staff technical and wider skills base.
  • Conduct Performance Development Reviews and make any recommendations for reward.
  • Assist in the local recruitment & selection of new/replacement CTL roles.
  • Supports equality and values diversity, moderate their own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others. Contribute to diversity and inclusion activities in the CTL and Colleges, assisting with the delivery of diversity and inclusion action plans as required.

  Other:

  • To act as an ambassador for the CTL and to promote the operational and strategic aims.
  • To support and deputise for the Head of Operations as appropriate.
  • To complete any reasonable duties as required that are commensurate with grade.
  • Contribute to cross Institute/-School/ -College/ -university initiatives.

  Whilst working within the framework agreed with the Head of Operations, the post holder is expected to manage their own workload and is expected to be flexible in anticipating and responding to shifting and competing demands on their and the wider CTL team’s time. It is expected that the post will work with minimum regular supervision but will refer to their line manager for advice on issues which fall outside existing regulatory or policy frameworks. Hours may sometimes fall outside the standard working day.

  Person Specification

  Essential

  • Applicants must hold a BSc degree in a related subject, preferably Electrical Engineering, although Earth Sciences would also be considered (or equivalent qualifications and work experience).
  • Applicants must have technical experience in the management of Health and Safety.
  • Applicants must have technical experience in an appropriate discipline relevant to the teaching facility and in-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
  • Competence in Microsoft Office applications including Teams/SharePoint. The postholder should also be confident and willing to learn new software packages quickly to support, inform and improve operational effectiveness.
  • Aptitude to prioritise own workload and to complete all tasks accurately and to a routinely high standard, even when working to challenging and/or conflicting deadlines.
  • Capability to manage own workload autonomously and work as effective team member with flexibility.
  • Experience managing technical staff, as well as experience of laboratory management.
  • Commitment to continuous service improvements through personal, team and career development.
  • Understand 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.

  Desirable

  • An IOSH/NEBOSH General Certificate or similar is desirable. The role holder will be expected to obtain this qualification within the first two years of employment.
  • A Science Council Professional Registration or a HEA associate Fellowship/Fellowship.

  Previous Experience

  • Scientific knowledge and technical ability.
  • Presentation skills – ability to present information to groups of people verbally and using power point.
  • Self-motivated and adaptable with the ability to exercise initiative and work independently or as part of a team. Strong organisational skills are a must.
  • Significant previous experience in a relevant technical role within HE.
  • Proven ability in managing teaching laboratory facilities with evidence of devising and implementing service improvements.
  • Experience of managing health and safety in a busy multi-hazard environment including (but not limited to) chemical and mechanical hazards, knowledge of health and safety regulations.
  • Practical experience of managing a broad range of laboratory equipment including (but not limited to) arranging service contracts and fault-finding.
  • Experience of forward planning and time management (including timetabling).
  • Experience of providing training to students and staff in the safe use of equipment and suggesting ways to optimize results.
  • Experience of assisting with the design, construction and testing of new teaching experiments.

  Informal enquiries to Mala Patel, email: m.patel@bham.ac.uk

  View our staff values and behaviours here

  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 .

• About the company

  The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

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