Job Purpose

The James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) conducts fundamental, applied, and commercial research, driving development, prototyping, and pilot production using advanced nanofabrication techniques. The Centre collaborates with over 90 national and international universities and research institutes and partners with nearly 300 companies across 28 countries. Its key capabilities include plasma processing, electron beam lithography, photolithography, thin film deposition, and metrology.

The postholder will provide strategic and technical leadership in plasma processing and high temperature furnaces, ensuring the professional, efficient, and timely delivery of solutions for JWNC projects. They will play a pivotal role in policy development, shaping best practices, and driving future strategies, while improving and expanding plasma processing and high temperature furnaces as a core JWNC service.

This role demands expert-level knowledge of plasma processing and high temperature furnaces for micro and nanofabrication. The postholder will also be responsible for developing novel techniques, lead change management initiatives to enhance JWNC’s capabilities and global impact and may be required to contribute to securing research funding as appropriate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Provide recognised expert guidance in plasma processing and high temperature furnaces, ensuring the JWNC’s user community requirements are met effectively. Be responsible for all managerial aspects of plasma processing and high temperature furnaces including provision of specialist advice and training to service users, management of resources, financial management and responsibility for health and safety, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice, as well as contributing advice or materials which may be used to guide the strategic direction of research/teaching.

2.  Contribute towards the JWNC/College/School’s strategic objectives by providing appropriate vision, technical leadership and operational control. Anticipate and direct future change and oversee planning that has long-term reach and focus. Ensure implementation of strategic priorities, driving service improvement and supporting organisational change.

3.  Develop novel techniques or systems from first principles and lead on policy development with a significant influence upon strategy, structure and development of activity within the JWNC. Develop and deliver leading edge techniques and practice through usage/application of specialist machines and equipment. This may at times involve innovative design of complex apparatus/equipment/systems.

4.  Make a leading contribution to shaping the plans of plasma processing and high temperature furnaces within the JWNC, ensuring the JWNC remains a world-class research environment. Develop a vision and strategic plans for operational activities in line with technical service/College/University objectives, as a senior individual specialist.

5.  Where relevant, present research methodologies, data and findings at national/international level and make a leading contribution to publications within specialism. Actively contribute to the subject specialism which may include participation in learned societies, professional bodies, broader review or editorial processes.

6.  Manage large scale projects, including equipment procurement, installation and decommissioning in coordination with JWNC leadership.

7.  Contribute expert guidance as required to major funding bids and related activities.

8.  Determine priorities and allocate resources to meet planned objectives and requirements.

9.  Develop/improve the capability of staff within area of work, motivating and mentoring staff to better meet the current and future requirements of the work area.

10.  Be responsible for the management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the School/Service and advise/train staff members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the relevant internal or external bodies timeously.

11.  Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School and University and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the service, promote the technical community and support the broader strategic aims of the University, including for the Technician Commitment https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/ and other UK-wide initiatives.

12.  Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by line manager, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to emerging priorities.

13.  Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together and contribute to outreach activities as appropriate.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a role with management duties.

Or: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

A2 Significant breadth or depth of specialist theoretical and practical technical knowledge and recognised as an expert in plasma processing and high temperature furnaces for micro and nanofabrication.

A3 An up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject of plasma processing and high temperature furnaces.

A4 Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.

Desirable

B1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (Doctoral Degree) in a relevant discipline.

Skills

Essential

C1 Demonstrable skill in utilising micro and nano-scale patterning and/or complex device realisation with embedded micro and/or nano-patterned features using plasma processing and high temperature furnace techniques.

C2 Demonstrable and proven leadership and project management skills, including evidence of major contributions to delivering several projects simultaneously whose success was enabled by the development of innovative plasma processing and high temperature furnace solutions.

C3 Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.

C4 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret complex technical requirements of a research/teaching group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C5 Excellent technical writing and presentation skills.

C6 Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem-solving capability gained over a substantial period of working at progressively higher levels of technical complexity and influence.

C7 Commitment to continuing personal and professional development and the flexibility to take on new challenges, develop new skills and knowledge.

C8 Demonstrable and sustained track record in making a significant contribution to securing funding, either independently or collaboratively for projects utilising plasma processing and high temperature furnace tools for micro and nanofabrication applications.

C9 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.

C10 Excellent teamworking skills, with ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders for effective project management.

Experience

Essential

E1 Extensive relevant experience in plasma processing and high temperature furnaces for micro and nanofabrication.

E2 Experience of scoping and defining ‘fit for purpose’ tool & facility requirements, project work practices and systems.

E3 Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research/teaching goals within set timescales.

E4 Experience of managing high value budgets, including knowledge of procurement and tendering processes to inform decision making, approving spends and monitoring expenditure on behalf of others.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and is offered on an open ended (permanent) basis.  Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

 
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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 , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

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 here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan 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.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information.

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Closing Date: 19 June 2025