Please note that this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees.

Job Purpose

The James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) is a world-class research facility supporting fundamental, applied, and commercial research in advanced nanofabrication. Hosting collaborations with over 90 academic institutions and nearly 300 industrial partners across 28 countries, the Centre enables development, prototyping, and pilot-scale production across a wide range of sectors. Its core capabilities include plasma processing, electron beam lithography, photolithography, thin film deposition, and metrology.

The postholder will provide essential technical support to ensure the smooth and safe operation of JWNC cleanroom and facility infrastructure. This includes performing routine checks on equipment and utilities, maintaining stocks of key consumables and chemicals, supporting waste management processes, and contributing to the cleanliness and readiness of shared laboratory spaces. The role is vital to sustaining a high-quality working environment for the Centre’s large and diverse user community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Provide core technical support to cleanroom and plant operations at JWNC to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous service delivery to researchers and staff.

2.  Perform routine start-up and shut-down tasks for designated tools and infrastructure, including photolithography tools (MA6, MA8, MJB4) and hotplates and/or carry out scheduled checks on key facility systems (e.g. compressors, RO water units, AHUs, BMS, chillers, and drier stacks), reporting faults and undertaking minor interventions where trained.

3.  Maintain and replenish stocks of critical chemicals, resists (e.g. PMMA, HSQ, CSAR, ZEP), and cleanroom consumables (e.g. solvents, gloves, masks, squeezy bottles) and/or manage chemical waste processes, including checking and replacing full solvent waste drums, transferring drums to storage, and arranging collections. Use Agresso system to order cleanroom supplies.

4.  Carry out daily and weekly cleanroom housekeeping duties, including LAF cabinet cleaning, testing of substrate chucks, CMP polisher upkeep, spinner bowl cleaning, and waste bin rotations. Carry out high-level cleaning tasks associated with cleanroom operations as required.

5.  Operate and maintain support systems including dishwashers, ultrasonic baths, developer thermometers and liquid nitrogen dewars.

6.  Coordinate cleanroom laundry service, including suit bagging and scheduling, and manage gown stock and renumbering when required.

7.  Conduct periodic quality assurance and safety checks such as spinner speed tests, hotplate contamination inspections, eyewash/shower flushing, and gas cylinder pressure logging.

8.  Assist in preventative maintenance routines for designated equipment (e.g. RCD8 spinner, developers, Plassys tools), under the guidance of senior technical staff.

9.  Maintain accurate logs and records of stock levels, maintenance activities, safety checks, and infrastructure readings.

10.  Undertake any other duties as reasonably assigned by the line manager that are commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1 Either ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role

Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 (National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a related role.

A2 Understanding of relevant Health and Safety regulations, including COSHH, chemical handling, gas safety, and manual handling.

A3 Competence in using basic IT tools (e.g. Microsoft Excel, shared databases) for record keeping, logging checks, and reporting issues.

A4 UK driving licence (manual or automatic) to support cleanroom operations.

Desirable

B1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (HNC) or level 8 (HND) in a relevant discipline.

B2 Awareness of waste management procedures, including segregation, uplift scheduling, and documentation.

B3 Familiarity with technical infrastructure systems such as building management systems (BMS), reverse osmosis (RO) water systems, and gas delivery panels.

Skills

Essential

C1 Good practical and technical skills relevant to laboratory or engineering environments, including routine equipment checks, handling chemicals, and basic maintenance tasks.

C2 Ability to follow established protocols and safety procedures with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

C3 Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.

C4 Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with colleagues, users, and contractors, and for completing records and reports.

C5 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, using initiative to identify and resolve straightforward issues.

C6 Ability to interpret technical documentation such as equipment manuals, SOPs, or material safety data sheets (MSDS).

C7 Manual handling competence and comfort with physically active work in technical environments.

Desirable

D1 Awareness of best practices in cleanroom behaviour and contamination control.

Experience

Essentail

E1 Some experience working in a technical, laboratory, engineering, or cleanroom environment, performing routine support or maintenance tasks.

Desirable

F1 Experience in a micro/nano fabrication facility or comparable technical environment involving cleanroom protocols or specialist infrastructure.

F2 Familiarity with handling and tracking chemicals, resists, or gases used in research or industrial lab settings.

F3 Prior involvement in preventative maintenance routines, supporting technical staff, or liaising with external contractors and suppliers.

F4 Experience contributing to health and safety compliance, including participation in safety audits, drills, or routine inspections.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4, £24,685 - £26,707 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  14 December 2025 at 23:45