Chief Technician

Job PurposeReporting to the Head of the Centre for Neuroscience within the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, the postholder will play a key role in co-ordinating and overseeing all technical aspects of the running of our laboratories in the Sir James Black Building (SJBB) on the Gilmorehill site as well as the Wellcome Surgical Institute (WI) and Glasgow Experimental MRI Centre (GEMRIC) on the Garscube campus. Responsibilities will encompass operational aspects of our diverse research activities from cell culture, molecular biology and genotyping, histology/ICC and confocal imaging through to ex vivo and in vivo animal electrophysiology and imaging. Oversight of the 21 Home Office Designated rooms across our buildings will be a key responsibility. The post holder will be responsible for the management of technical staff as delegated by the Head of Centre and will provide senior technical leadership to PIs, research staff, technicians, and undergraduate and postgraduate students. Main duties and Responsibilities1. Be responsible for technical and operational staff within the Centre for Neuroscience across the SJBB, WSI and GEMRIC buildings. Line management of the core technical team as delegated by the Head of Centre, including recruitment, induction, training and development, and the annual performance and development review.2. Be responsible for ensuring that the Home Office designated animal rooms (21 in total, including 4 holding rooms, 2 of which are long-term holding) within the centre are maintained and operated in compliance with the Home Office guidance. Put in place SOPs that ensure there is no risk of infringements. Liaise closely with the NACWO and NVS and Biological Services on the operation of designated rooms in our buildings and behavioural testing and procedural rooms used by our staff in the CRF and VRF.3. To convene Safety (H&S) Committee meetings to provide H&S leadership for the Centre ensuring compliance and best practice. Provide an effective link with the Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS). Investigate accidents, ensure reporting compliance, and provide advice on safety to staff as required. Act as safety co-ordinator for neuroscience areas within the SJBB and for the WSI and GEMRIC buildings.4. Working with SEPS, undertake H&S audits and inspections, provide advice to staff, students and visitors and ensure COSHH assessments are completed. Manage the H&S induction of all new staff, students and visitors to the SJBB and WSI and GEMRIC.5. Liaise with our specialist technical staff on all aspects of safety associated with the MRI equipment. Have an oversight of the inventory of chemicals and harmful substances and their storage locations, including viruses (GM regulations) and toxins including any that are notifiable to the Counter Terrorism Police.6. Oversee inspection and maintenance checks of medical gas supplies and anaesthetic equipment throughout our buildings: ensure gas pipelines, regulators and manifolds are inspected in line with H&S regulations. Ensure anaesthetic equipment calibration is checked in line with Home Office guidelines. Maintain O2 level sensors.7. Management of building related issues. Liaise with Estates and overseeing routine repairs and ensuring they comply with H&S requirements. Interact with Estates and external contractors for more complex jobs. Be proactive in identifying potential problems and ensure routine maintenance is carried out. Assist with management of specific Estates related projects in our buildings such as refurbishments or adaptations of rooms.8. Manage equipment across our buildings: Manage service contracts including for specialist MRI equipment. Advise on repairs, replacement of equipment and replacement cycles. Ensure laboratory equipment is compliant with H&S requirements and is maintained in a timely and cost-effective manner. Ensure freezers are alarmed and that biological safety hoods are inspected on a regular cycle. Arrange for PAT testing of electrical appliances in labs and offices across our buildings. Have oversight of specialised equipment within the School within an equipment sharing database of equipment and communicate this to the School9. Be responsible for the security and safety of the SJBB neuroscience areas and for the WSI and GEMRIC buildings. Oversea the SALTO access to these buildings and the SALTO permissions for accessing HO designated rooms. Liaise with University Security staff on the Gilmorehill and Garscube sites and ensure that there are designated 'call out' contacts for any out of hours building issues, and that the individuals have appropriate local knowledge (e.g. for MRI facility).10. Supervise arrangements for deliveries, ordering of supplies, including gas deliveries. Oversee correct management and disposal of specialist waste.11. Ensure that all CoSHH Risk assessments and pertinent paperwork is compliant and that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place for all of our laboratory activities. Ensuring that there is a system for reviewing these RA’s & updating as required12. Attend the College Chief Technicians meetings to exchange information and keep abreast of developments in the College and other local committees and groups as required noting that these may be on both the Gilmorehill and Garscube sites. Complete the annual space audit. Identify fire wardens and first aiders for each of the buildings.13. Determine development needs of staff, coordinate, and implement training requirements to meet evolving research challenges.14. Maintain a site where all operational information and safety information and relevant documents relating to the Centre for Neuroscience is available to staff.15. Undertake any additional duties as required by the Head of School. Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience Qualifications and KnowledgeEssential:A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent, [including professional accreditation with relevant formal training], and experience of personal development in a similar role. A2. Ability to demonstrate the necessary competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.A3. Strong knowledge of Health and Safety requirements/considerations within complex multi-disciplinary research labs. Desirable:B1. Knowledge of the workings of the Home Office ASPA and experience supporting animal research work.B2. Degree in a relevant scientific discipline.B3. Recognised Health and Safety qualifications. B4. Home Office Personal Licence. B5. Training in Leadership and management. Skills and ExperienceEssential:C1. Excellent team working and proven people management skills.C2. Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.C3. Experience of managing budgets, including approving spends, negotiating purchases and monitoring outgoings on behalf of others.C4. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.C5. Previous experience of technical leadership in a university or research environment.C6. Excellent management skills with the ability to lead and motivate others to achieve strategic objectives.C7. Demonstrable up to date knowledge of current health and safety legislation.C8. Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment.C9. Significant leadership, management and organisational skills.