Technical Services Manager - Geochemistry, Chemistry, and Materials Engineering

Job Purpose

Technical Services Managers in the College of Science and Engineering have a critical function in the delivery of an effective and efficient service to support research, learning and teaching. They play a key role in co-ordinating and overseeing all aspects of delivering the specialist service to a diverse research/teaching community. The postholder provides strategic and operational technical leadership to both research and teaching staff, technicians and students, operating in a specialist competence area, identifying issues, generating ideas and management solutions to improve these services.

The Technical Services Manager for Geochemistry, Chemistry and Materials Engineering is part of the Research Laboratory Services group in the College of Science and Engineering Technical Services function. The postholder will initially lead and manage a team of currently 15 specialists across several technical areas, with roles ranging from grade 3 (early career technician) to grade 7 (highly skilled specialist).

The Research Laboratory services team offers extensive engineering and scientific knowledge and experience, to deliver the design, development, and operation of bespoke research installations and equipment. The team includes Chemistry, Geochemistry, Engineering Materials specialists who are experts in the support of specialist research equipment, systems and laboratories. This post will require to have expert knowledge and experience in one or more of these specialities.

This role reports to the Head of Technical Services - Research Laboratory Services and has responsibility to the Directors of Research and Directors of Learning & Teaching to support the development and delivery of Schools strategies and business needs.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead, develop and deliver specialist research and teaching support services across the College for the provision of specialist laboratory services in support of world leading research. Interpret and assess the needs of the Geochemistry, Chemistry, and Materials services users, defining the service requirements and managing delivery to agreed standards.
2. Contribute towards the Technical Services/College/School's strategic objectives by providing appropriate vision, technical leadership and operational control. Anticipate and direct future changes and oversee planning that has long-term reach and focus. Ensure implementation of strategic priorities, driving service improvement and supporting organisational changes.
3. Be responsible for all managerial aspects of Geochemistry, Chemistry, and Materials services including leading, planning and organising the work of a team of technical specialists and operational staff, to ensure work is integrated and co-ordinated in line with broad operational plans, objectives and requirements whilst ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy and best practice.
4. Day-to-day line management of team members including managing the recruitment, performance, and development of the team members. Develop/improve the capability of staff, motivating and mentoring staff to support personal development and to better meet the current and future requirements of the College's Technical Services.
5. Manage operational budgets as well as technical and operational staff competence and time to ensure maximum value is delivered for resources deployed. Be accountable for the quality and professionalism of service delivery and activities in accordance with operational policies and legal requirements. Report any potential issues regarding service capability or quality to the service users, and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.
6. Apply technical expertise to manage and operate specific areas of Geochemistry, Chemistry, and Materials services if required. Provide specialist advice and training to technicians and service users.
7. Lead the development and design of novel techniques or systems and lead on policy development with a significant influence upon strategy, structure and development of an activity within the Geochemistry, Chemistry, and Materials services theme. Make a substantial contribution to the procurement of apparatus/equipment/systems, the set-up and use of specialist installations.
8. Make a leading contribution to shaping the plans of the service area as well as research/teaching group plans. Develop a vision and strategic plans for operational activities in line with Technical Services/College/University objectives, as a member of the management team or senior individual specialist.
9. Manage the provision of operational services and resources including space and facilities with the aim of providing a high-quality, efficient and collaborative research/teaching environment. Advise on research facilities design requirements to support the management of space allocation, and/or construction for specialist laboratory spaces/facilities.
10. Make a significant expert contribution to major funding bids and related activities.
11. Be responsible for the management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and 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, advise and train group members as appropriate. Actively contribute to the development and implementation of health and safety standards and processes relevant to the area as well as general health and safety across the College.
12. Represent the College Technical Services in School/College/University committees and ensures a collaborative working relationship with staff and students.
13. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School/Groups and University where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the service/research/teaching aims, promote the technical community and support the broader strategic aims of the University, including for the Technician Commitment.
14. 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.
15. Undertake other reasonable duties as are assigned by the Head of Technical Services.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

1. A1 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. Or: 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 management role(s).
2. A2 Significant breadth or depth of specialist technical knowledge and recognised as an expert and authority in an engineering or scientific discipline.
3. A3 Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.

Desirable

1. B1 NEBOSH certificate or other recognised health and safety qualifications.
2. B2 Awareness of the current and future priorities of the University and the relevant work area.

Skills

Essential

1. C1 Excellent teamworking, leadership and people management skills, with ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders for effective project management.
2. C2 Proven interpersonal and communication skills obtained through representational, influencing activities across a large organisation, 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.
3. C3 Leadership and motivational skills in formal and informal situations.
4. C4 Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.

Experience

Essential

1. E1 Direct managerial track record in the provision of specialist technical services.
2. E2 Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem-solving capability gained over a substantial period of working at progressively higher levels of technical complexity and influence.
3. E3 Experience of contributing to the development of a research/teaching services strategy, planning resource allocation and achieving high-quality research/teaching outputs.
4. 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.
5. E5 Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research/teaching goals within set timescales.

Desirable

1. F1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar research/teaching services environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

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, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

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.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

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Vacancy Ref : 158551 Close Date : 04-Dec-2024 23:45