The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

As a Senior Technician in Biosafety and Microbiology, you will work as an integral member of our School’s existing technical team. Reporting to Technical Managers, you will contribute to the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to the maintenance and evaluation of a range of specialist equipment to support research activities, specifically in support of our Containment Level 2 and 3 laboratories. As the Biosafety Officer for the School, you will provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and to colleagues, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and health and safety compliance.

You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record. This will include maintaining a detailed awareness and full commitment to the relevant regulations and providing timely safety information and updates carrying out and documenting risk assessments.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Supervise and maintain the School’s Containment level 3 (CL3) and Containment level 2 (CL2) laboratories. Provide inductions, training and supervision for CL2 & CL3 lab work. Provide practical support to new and existing staff and students and support microbial, GMO, infection and clinical trial studies.
• Working with and reporting to the Technical Manager, maintain and manage a strict security, maintenance and decontamination regime within the CL3 facility with regard to hazardous or GM organisms and personnel working within it, in accordance with HSE legislation and Counter Terrorism requirements.
• Act as Biosafety Officer for the School, providing advice and guidance on pathogen and GM work, maintaining the Biosafety project database and representing the School at UoS Biosafety committee meetings and other relevant H&S committees.
• Develop, perform and refine research experiments as required. Support the daily running of School microbiology laboratories, to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence.
• Present data and results to academic research groups and wider audiences as required.
• Plan and perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of pathogen collections, authorised users, statutory inspections etc to meet internal and external requirements and legislation. Keep accurate records of laboratory usage and assist with budget management for our high containment laboratories.
• Maintain accurate lab databases, including SOPs, Code of Practice, CoSHH, etc.
• Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service across the School. Liaise with colleagues regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
• Provide detailed training, development and instruction on equipment and techniques to staff and students across the School, ensuring a strong emphasis on Health and safety is maintained throughout.
• Undertake short term project management within own work area or contribute as part of larger department-wide project teams, to support the achievements of project objectives. Provide detailed technical input to ensure technical considerations are considered through the lifespan of the project.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the School with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
• Maintain a good awareness of and full commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations, particularly in the area of biosafety and microbiological containment. Provide safety information to staff and students. Carry out and document risk assessments on student and staff activities, maintain training records and liaise with Division and School Health and Safety Officers to ensure compliance with UK legislation and University policies.
• Attend training and further education, including Continuous Professional Development activities, when applicable and commensurate with continued job developments and breath of skills training.
• Work collaboratively across our School providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• As a member of our professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework. 
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the 17th of August. This will consist of an in-person interview (hybrid option is available). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3rd of August. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact smph-west-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework / Technical Career Route.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Baseline personnel security standard

This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.