Job Purpose

To provide comprehensive technical management and specialist technical expertise to support researchers, post-graduate and undergraduate students in the College of Science and Engineering, particularly in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences. The role will utilise expert knowledge in specialist equipment for rock geochemistry and geochronology analytical research and associated rock and mineral sample preparation. Additional duties include the planning, design, and operation of specialist technical resources to acquire data, optimise research output, and enhance operational systems and processes, including health and safety compliance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for all technical management aspects of the laboratories enabling geochronology and rock geochemistry research and associated sample preparation and mineral separation activities. Contribute to the strategic direction of research through the provision of specialist technical advice, training, and supervision to internal and external service users, management of resources (, and responsibility for implementing health and safety systems across assigned areas.

2. Monitor performance and troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues with specialist analytical equipment (e.g. laser ablation- and solution-ICP-MS, confocal/optical microscopy, noble-gas extraction line), making data-informed decisions. Provide authoritative guidance to identify, design, and lead implementation of novel analytical protocols related to in-situ and liquid geochemical analysis and disseminate findings and future action to research groups.

3.  Generate data and collaborate in the interpretation of geochronological and geochemical data for academic and commercial research. This includes advising on cost structure and project timescales and leading on sample preparation and analysis of diverse materials. Manage and deliver chemical sample preparation of materials such as etching and dissolution, including the use of high-risk substances

4.  Using detailed specialist knowledge and expertise, manage access, training and development of internal and external service users in all technical aspects of the geochronology and geochemistry research activities and support the supervision of undergraduate and/or post-graduate students to ensure the learning experience is enhanced and outcomes are met.

5. Manage all aspects of laboratory technical operations and resources, ordering and managing consumables, developing and advising on service costing and recoup models for internal and external usage, tendering, ordering, and installing new instrumentation and software, and effectively managing storage and disposal of lab resources and samples.

6.  Contribute to the development and enhancement of the research profile related to the area of expertise through, for example, contributing to publication of scientific articles or technical notes, presentation of work at conferences and scientific meetings, and pursuing their own research interests to develop new methodologies.

7.  Act as a central point of contact and recognised expert, keeping up to date with technical advances and applications to enhance sample preparation and analytical and interpretation strategies, and advising academics on these aspects to develop research projects and grant applications.

8.  Document experimental outputs and guidance for data analysis and interpretation. Maintain databases and records of lab usage and outputs, creating technical/progress reports and papers. Create, implement and regularly review SOP’s for service users, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice.

9.  Be responsible for the day-to-day management of, and compliance with, relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements and facilitate lab inductions. Establish safe systems of work, SOP’s and maintain all necessary documentation and records related to the effective Health and Safety management of the technical services area. Keep up to date with legislation relevant to the work, advise and train others as appropriate. Report any potential issues to relevant internal or external bodies in a timely manner.

10. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School/Group and external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research/teaching aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University, including the Technician Commitment key themes.

11. Contribute to enhancing the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together and undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Technical Line Manager and/or Head of School.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this post level, having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.

OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent such as a BSc or above and relevant laboratory experience in a similar role.

A2 Recognised expertise and technical knowledge in geological and/or environmental analytical research.

A3 Expert knowledge of rock and geochemical preparation and the calibration, operation, and performance monitoring and maintenance of analytical equipment.

A4 Detailed and demonstrable knowledge of relevant health and safety protocols and safe operating procedures relevant to the described analytical techniques and lab activities.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of theory and application of geochronological techniques such as U-Pb dating, fission-track analysis and/or (U-Th)/He analysis.

B2 Knowledge of rock digestion and chemical etching procedures.

Skills

Essential:

C1Expertise and demonstrable specialist technical skills in operating analytical geochemistry equipment for data collection.

C2 Expert skills in geological sample preparation for in-situ and solution analysis.

C3 Excellent understanding of internal and external geochronological and geochemical analytical and data reporting protocols, including the use of standard office software and relevant specialist and bespoke software packages for data analysis and interpretation.

C4 Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrable ability to independently and proactively diagnose and find solutions to challenging technical problems and handle complex and/or high-volume datasets with accuracy and attention to detail.

C5 Strong interpersonal skills and adaptability in communication style to meet the needs of others, particularly when giving complex technical instructions and detailing health and safety requirements including an ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret complex technical requirements of a research group and respond effectively.

C6 Excellent communication skills, including writing reports and training documents, and contributing to journal articles and grant proposals, and an ability to present complex concepts and results.

C7 Able to work autonomously with minimal supervision and contribute to research strategy development and resource management with an awareness of the latest developments in the field.

C8 Ability to supervise students and research staff in the laboratory and manage the competing demands of users including supporting the supervision of undergraduate, MSc and PhD research projects, where appropriate.

Desirable:

D1 Skilled in operation of laser ablation and/or solution ICP-MS

D2 Ability in making analytical standards and solutions and performing associated calculations.

D3 Knowledge in wet chemistry and associated protocols, including for hazardous substances such as hydrofluoric acid.

D4 Computer coding/scripting skills (e.g., Python, R, Matlab) for analytical data analysis and hardware/software interfacing for data acquisition.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant relevant laboratory experience planning and delivering technical support and training services in higher education research and teaching, a research facility, or an industrial environment.

E2 Strong track record in providing high-quality analytical datasets and delivering expert geological and/or environmental output to research groups and commercial clients.

E3 Significant experience of sample preparation of heterogenous solid materials and solving difficult sample preparation issues.

E4 Experience in planning and preparing publications/reports and presentations.

E5 Demonstrated level of independence in identifying project objectives from assessment of relevant literature, design and analysis of experiments, and project delivery within set timescales.

E6 Experience managing research lab budgets, knowledge of procurement, monitoring outgoings, negotiating purchases, and resource allocation.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of latest software available for ICP-MS data reduction, geochronology data processing, fission-track data acquisition, or thermal history modelling.

F2 Experience in developing tutorials, educational resources and theoretical and practical courses to students and staff.

For informal enquiries please contact Mark.Wildman@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

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

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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.

Closing Date: 29 May 2025