Sample Preparation Technician

Company	Natural Environment Research CouncilSee more
Address	Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Form of work	- Full-time
Salary	£25,596 a year
Category	Education

Job description

Sample Preparation Technician
BGS Inorganic Geochemistry Facility
Location: based at the BGS headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham
Grade: UKRI - Band B/S2
Salary: £25,596 per annum
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours a week
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 21st April 2024

Please note that internal UKRI applicants will currently be subject to the UKRI Pay & Reward Policy & Guidance to determine their starting salary

A great benefits package is offered!, including an outstanding pension scheme (with an extremely generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Sample Preparation Technician to join the BGS Inorganic Geochemistry Facility in Keyworth, Nottingham.

We are looking for a detail-focused person who is comfortable working in a physical role, for a full-time post in the BGS Sample Preparation laboratories. The successful candidate will contribute to a small, supportive team fulfilling a variety of commercial and science projects, within a documented quality assurance system, for which full training will be provided. Duties / responsibilities will include:

Physical preparation of environmental/geological samples via specialist crushing and grinding equipment for onward chemical testing for a variety of commercial and science projects
Preparation of reference materials for BGS and External clients
Adhere to a documented Quality Management System to ensure consistency of product delivery through maintenance of administration records and a safe working environment
Maintain the equipment used in the Sample Preparation labs, updating equipment service records as required
Willingness to adapt to changing workflows and laboratory requirements within the Sample Preparation and chemistry laboratories of Inorganic Geochemistry and wider BGS Facilities

The role requires full-time attendance at the laboratories in Keyworth. In addition, there may be opportunities to drive a vehicle for pick-up/delivery of samples within the UK and in time, travel overseas.

About you

Candidates will have a minimum of GCSE Maths, English and Science or equivalent vocational qualification, and an awareness of Microsoft Office packages such as Word and Excel would be highly desirable.

This role would ideally suit an individual with experience of working to defined workflows, and who has the outlook to develop processes to meet specific sample needs.

You will be trained to undertake Sample Preparation of environmental samples using a range of specialist machinery and physical preparation techniques for onward chemical or mineralogical analyses.

You will need to have a degree of physical fitness as this role involves manual handling of samples and equipment which can weigh 20 Kg + (appropriate Health & Safety training will be provided).

Please note – you will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.

Please also refer to the additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

About us

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

Please apply online, if you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 21st April 2024. Interviews are expected to be held in early May 2024 in Nottingham.

Skills Specification - Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist ‘S’ and Interview ‘I’ Stage

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE maths and English, and one science subject or equivalent vocational qualification (S)

Desirable

Full driving licence (S)

Experience

Essential

Experience of operating and maintaining machinery (S&I)

Degree of physical fitness as this role involves manual handling of samples and equipment which can weigh 20Kg + (appropriate Health & Safety training will be provided) (S&I)

Desirable

Experience of working in a laboratory environment and/or in preparation of environmental samples (S&I)

Familiarity with Microsoft Office packages e.g., Word and Excel (S&I)

Knowledge

Essential

Awareness of working in a safe environment and/or under a quality management system (S&I)

Desirable

Knowledge of sample tracking and audit trail processes (I)

Experience of recording information into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other product tracking software (I)

Skills and abilities

Essential

Good attention to detail and able to follow instructions precisely (S&I)

Demonstrate good team working skills (S&I)

Self-motivated and capable of working independently and proactively (I)

Desirable

Effective communication skills (presenting information clearly and coherently) - with team members and line manager (S&I)

Personal qualities

Essential

Ability to learn processes, and apply this learning consistently (S&I)

Desirable

Approachable, and demonstrates an enthusiasm for the work of BGS/UKRI and our core values of impact, impartiality, and knowledge (I)

You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences [I]

Motivation

Essential

Displays an enthusiasm for the role and a desire to develop themself further (S&I)

Desirable

Demonstrates curiosity and a drive to resolve problems (I)

About The British Geological Survey (BGS)

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts.

BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.

How to Apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for BGS and the role you’re applying for. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered. You will only be assessed on the content of your CV and covering letter and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

About UKRI

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to flourish and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Refer code: 3145795. Natural Environment Research Council - The previous day - 2024-04-06 07:55