Facility Scientist/Science Support Technician

Facility Scientist/Science Support Technician

Salary: £39,375 to 43,313 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). on the S2 Band D scale.
Hours: Full time or Part time
Contract Type:  Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Boulby Mine, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS13-4UZ

The position of "Facility Scientist/Science Support Technician" is a key role in the busy local team supporting the growing science programme at Boulby Underground Laboratory, the UK’s deep underground science facility.

The Boulby Underground Laboratory is located in the North-East of England, in a working polyhalite and salt mine belonging to Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL-UK). The Laboratory is a world-class multi-disciplinary deep underground science facility hosting a wide range of high-impact science studies

The Boulby facility is a small, highly motivated, and hard-working team who collectively cover a wide range of facility responsibilities. The role of "Facility Scientist/Science Support Technician" will be a key person in providing technical, scientific and operational support to a selection of the hosted science projects, supporting science-related facility operations and assisting with facility organisation, outreach and stakeholder liaison.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

·       Providing and applying expert scientific, technical and/or engineering knowledge to play  a leading role in experiment science delivery planning and decision-making, and in selected experiment operations management.

·       Playing a leading role in the development and management of experiment H&S systems.

·       Taking a leading role in devising and implementing organisation and communication systems for the science delivery of the facility.

·       Supporting selected experiments installation, maintenance and development - including assisting with technical modifications as/when required.

·       Supporting experiments operations, calibrations, data monitoring and analysis.

·       Supervising visiting scientists and the public on visits to the lab and representing the facility in meetings and interactions with local and external facility stakeholders, collaborators, visitors and users.  Support the facility with outreach/stakeholder communication and events.

·       Undertaking technical, H&S and staff development training as required.

·       Assisting in keeping the wider facility organisation and communications systems current, relevant, and up to date.

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria

Essential:

·       Degree (BSc. or equiv.) in science or engineering area

·       Good technical, IT and/or engineering/practical skills.

·       Strong organisational skills. Ability to employ organisational systems to manage complex or varied operations.

·       Good communication skills, to be able to effectively communicate with a range of facility stakeholders, including scientists and engineers, mining personnel, external contract staff, the public, and visiting VIPs.

·       A positive, proactive, and enthusiastic approach to work and delivery of the facility vision and goals, adapting and helping team members as/when needed.

·       Willingness to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities as needed.

·       Good mobility and physical fitness - suited to working in a mining and science laboratory environment.

·       Willingness and ability to work in strict H&S environment with Protective Equipment suited to both a mining and Science laboratory Environment.

·       Ability and willingness to work flexibly and collaboratively in a small and active team in a unique and interesting environment.

Desirable:

·       Any practical, technical, IT qualifications (GSCE, A-Level, HND etc.).

·       Any H&S and first aid experience.

·       Prior experience working in a science support and delivery position.

·       A full UK driver’s licence.