Job Description

The post holder will be expected to contribute to projects in collaboration with academic groups, and be responsible for data generation, collection and refinement.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To lead, develop and maintain a specialist research service, able to conceptualize and interpret academic requirements.
2. To manage the development, modification and construction of new/improved methodologies relevant to the facility.
3. To provide leading specialist technical advice on the design of experiments and establishment and maintenance of the interface between facility users and effective selection of appropriate experimental approaches.
4. To interact with suppliers of equipment in the facility during procurement & installation of new equipment.
5. To work closely with academic groups to improve the equipment infrastructure in the facility in keeping with School capital equipment strategy.
6. To participate as appropriate in research projects, including taking a proactive role in achieving and delivering the best possible outcomes for research activities utilizing the facility in collaboration and consultation with key academic staff.
7. To develop standard operating procedures for experimental usage of the equipment in the facility, disseminate appropriately and monitor accordingly.
8. To play a leading role in developing and promoting the facility to external users in the research as well as industry domains.
9. Effective dissemination of research results through publications in leading journals, presentation at appropriate national and international conferences and other routes as appropriate.
10. To be responsible for developing, updating and reporting in relation to risk assessments and associated health and safety procedures for all work performed in the facility.
11. To lead and implement training for research staff and students in the use of facility equipment and maintain training records.
12. To undertake research and devise a fee structure for service project work using the facility equipment and liaise closely with academic colleagues to maximize cost recovery.
13. To provide advice on operating costs/service charges for grant applications.
14. To troubleshoot problems associated with operation of equipment within the facility. This will include maintenance of equipment in the facility, and ordering of replacement parts and consumable supplies; liaison with service representative; installation and maintenance of software for equipment in the facility.
15. To keep up-to-date with current developments in the subject field and continue professional development as required.
16. To undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as required by the Technical Services Manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification (SCQF level 9) OR relevant expertise and research/facility management experience. Extensive and up to date theoretical & practical knowledge of scanning electron microscope technologies. Good knowledge of current university policies, e.g., Health & Safety and Equality & Diversity. Good knowledge of research and teaching activities within a University environment. PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Geoscience, Materials Science, Bio-science). Theoretical and practical knowledge of micro-analytical technologies. Good knowledge of other analytical techniques related to geochemistry or microanalysis, e.g. Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Spectroscopy. Proven management and leadership skills. Excellent communication skills, able to communicate clearly and effectively, particularly when giving complex technical instructions. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills. Excellent data collection skills using a range of laboratory sources. Demonstrable ability to find solutions to challenging technical problems. Ability to manage a range of projects simultaneously. Excellent writing, reporting and presentation skills. Ability to plan and organize service delivery for a large multidisciplinary customer base. Ability to manage the competing demands of users in line with School priorities and prioritise own workload. Excellent specialist IT skills including familiarity with a range of standard analytical software and highly competent in the use of Microsoft Office. Excellent interpersonal skills, a good team-player with proven communication skills. Self-motivation, flexibility and the ability to work with minimum supervision. Willingness to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field. Ability to understand and apply university policies and procedures. Excellent numeracy and statistical skills. Strong technical services delivery background in a higher education Research and Teaching, Large-Scale Facilities or Industrial environment. Track record in service delivery and planning for a large customer group with diverse requirements. Significant experience of sample preparation for SEM. Experience with solving difficult sample preparation issues. Experience of latest software available for SEM analysis. Experience of report writing. Demonstration of a level of independence illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments, drafting of papers and publication record. Experience of managing budgets.