Salary: £31,236 to £32,080 with progression to £34,610 per annum Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Closing Date: 10 November 2025 The Role The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Chemical Labs Technician. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting the research activities in the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, through the provision of technical support within the chemical research labs, and in support of technical services within the Bedson Building. The role holder will support the Chemical Labs Team Leader in the management of the chemical teaching and research facilities, and infrastructure by: Helping to manage shared laboratory areas, to allow users to work safely in a cohesive and collaborative environment. Support the preparation and delivery of taught practical classes and UG/PGT projects within the Chemistry labs Working with facility users to ensure equipment is working safely and work to ensure items are repaired and tested to statutory and local requirements. Working with the team to help manage and run the chemistry stores, as well as the disposal of hazardous waste. Helping to manage the training and provision of gases and cryogens to the facility users and ensure systems are working safely. The post holder will be: Capable of training and advising lab users on safe techniques and will work with users to ensure they are working safely and effectively. Confident and competent with Health and Safety management Capable of conducting their own experiments when required in line with teaching requirements and active research projects. For informal enquiries, please contact David Whitaker by email: david.whitaker@ncl.ac.uk For more information about the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, please click here We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. The position is full-time, and offered on an fixed-term basis for 18 months. For further details about Newcastle University please visit our information page at: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about To apply please upload your CV and cover letter, evidencing how your skills and experiences meet the person specification as outlined within the job description Key Accountabilities In conjunction with the technical team leader for the activity, be responsible for the day-to-day operation of specific facilities or pieces of equipment. To undertake fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on instrumentation under the roles responsibility To help manage shared laboratory spaces, working with PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students to allow for cohesive and collaborative work in a safe environment. To chair meetings as appropriate to achieve this To be responsible for the disposal of hazardous materials according to standard University procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments. In conjunction with the School safety officer monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements To train and advise staff and research students in appropriate laboratory techniques and good laboratory practice to ensure that they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner. To provide laboratory supervision and training for postgraduate and undergraduate project students and, occasionally, for other technical staff using the facilities to ensure safe working practices are followed In conjunction with the PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the School and University purchasing procedures. Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the technical team leader Where required, assist in active research projects and to help develop experiments and protocols for teaching, working with PIs, RAs, other technical staff and PGT PGR students as appropriate. To inform academic staff of safety and legal compliance issues related to practical classes to be undertaken in the laboratory. Academic staff are responsible for the production of appropriate COSHH forms for their practical classes but these should be produced in liaison with the post-holder To test and modify (after consultation with the academic staff involved) proposed practical experiments to ensure that they are suitable for UG and PGT teaching. This to include design, develop, modify and construct apparatus from verbal instruction and sketches. Working with other areas at the school to achieve this. i.e. workshop / glassblower To prepare laboratory and equipment for practical classed and demonstrate experimental techniques where appropriate. An understanding of FT-IR, UV-VIS, fluorescence and NMR techniques and ability to explain and aid understanding of techniques and analysis of results Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required The Person Knowledge, Skills and Experience Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical or research role Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures including GCP and COSHH Excellent team working skills Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail Contribute to design and specification of research/teaching activities, Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research/teaching priorities A good theoretical and practical knowledge of Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry/ Experience in synthetic, anaerobic and analytical techniques with experience of using gas systems. Attributes and Behaviour Team-working (Self) Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued. Shares relevant and useful information with others Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different Willing to help others and share workloads Planning and organising (Self) Works in a planned and structured way Ensures that all activities are completed on time Ensures that others know how processes and systems work Can work autonomously and set own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives Finding Solutions Looks at ways of overcoming obstacles rather than coming to a standstill Keeps an open mind to alternative ways of doing things Delivering services (Self) Keeps fellow team members up to date with progress Pays attention to detail Has a positive attitude for doing things better Takes responsibility for achieving own targets Co-operates with others to achieve targets Strives to deliver high quality results Is enthusiastic in getting job done on time Embracing change (Self) Recognises the need for change and is forward looking. Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas. Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements. Qualifications Apprenticeship in an appropriate subject with experience in a relevant technical role; or BTEC level 4 / HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles. Desirable MChem or PhD in Chemistry Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. Requisition ID: 28680