Job Purpose

As a Technical Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting innovative research within the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE). You will provide expert technical guidance in Catalysis and Inorganic Materials research, ensuring researchers have access to the specialist equipment and resources they need to succeed. From high-pressure reactors and gas handling systems to inline reaction spectrometers, gas chromatographs, and glove boxes, you will oversee the setup, operation, and maintenance of essential research tools.

Beyond technical expertise, you will be part of the collaborative and service-driven CoSE Geochemistry, Chemistry and Material Engineering Technical Services Team, working closely with researchers, academics, and fellow technical staff to drive research excellence. You will also champion health and safety best practices, ensuring a safe and efficient research environment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Undertake specialist technical activity and provide specialist technical expertise related to Catalysis and Inorganic Materials research and where required, support the supervision and training of students or other technical/research staff.

2.  Design and create experiments, systems, protocols, equipment, and/or other technical resources to deliver high-level technical support to multiple research groups and their research objectives.

3.  Troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve complex technical issues, including those related to gas handling systems, high-pressure reactors, glove boxes, gas chromatographs, and spectrometers and ensure equipment is maintained and functioning optimally to support research objectives.

4.  Be responsible for the management of technical aspects of the research project, including where relevant, management of the laboratory, technical resources, and technical staff. Ensure timely and operational delivery of technical resources is optimised and seek to continuously improve the technical service.

5.  Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of technical services, continuously seeking improvements, by independently generating ideas to deliver and enhance experiments, systems, protocols, and technical resources to advance research objectives.

6.  Keep up to date with developments in relevant research areas and the broader discipline and apply new knowledge to optimise contributions to research goals.

7.  Perform complex data analysis, identify trends or anomalies, and present findings to research groups or wider audiences through presentations and publications.

8.  Where relevant, take day to day control of technical research budget, making informed decisions and advice on purchasing of capital equipment and consumables following consultation with appropriate colleagues.

9.  Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements. Where relevant, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI/service/facility manager, Safety Committee and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.

10.  Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/Institute/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/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 8 [Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2. Significant breadth or depth of technical knowledge of the equipment and other operational requirements in the materials/catalysis research laboratory environment and recognised as an expert in this field.

A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.

Desirable

B1. Demonstrable understanding of the application of analytical techniques such as surface area, elemental and thermal analysis for the characterisation of supported metal catalysts or similar materials.

Skills

Essential

C1. Demonstrable specialist technical skills in areas such as operation of gas handling systems and high-pressure reactors, gas chromatographs, spectrometers and the use and maintenance of gloveboxes.

C2. Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data.

C3. Proven ability to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with relevant equipment such as gas handling systems and high-pressure reactors, gas chromatographs, spectrometers, proposing and implementing solutions where required.

C4. Excellent teamworking and supervisory skills.

C5. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a research group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C6. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.

Experience

Essential

E1. Experience using pressure systems and working with compressed gas cylinders, methods of gas flow regulation and high-pressure reactors.

E2. Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

E3. Experience of understanding and interpreting complex technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.

E4. Experience of training and supervising staff and/or students in the use of equipment, and data analysis, including interpretation of spectra and/or chromatograms.

E5. Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales, planning and prioritising a broad range of technical work to meet competing demands.

Desirable

F1. Demonstrable experience in the use and set up of Swagelok or similar gas supply systems.

F2. Experience of the operation of surface area and/or chemisorption analysis equipment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum.

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

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

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: 26 June 2025