Technical Strategy & Operations
This new full-time (1.0FTE) post is available from 01/10/2025 on a permanent basis.
Summary of the role:
This exciting, full time, Mass Spectrometry Specialist role is available immediately in Technical Strategy & Operations (TS&O), supporting the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE), based on the Tremough campus in Penryn. The primary responsibility of the role-holder is to operate the mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation, delivering high-quality analytical services to support academic and student research. The mass spectrometry facilities support Exeter’s research priorities in a range of disciplines including ecology, biosciences, geology, and archaeology. The facilities include stable isotope mass MS, gas chromatography MS, high performance liquid chromatography MS and Inductively coupled plasma MS.
The post-holder will be required to have experience in managing, setting up, running, and troubleshooting instruments of this type. In addition, the role-holder will be required to carry out method development, quality control, data interpretation and analysis as well as keep up to date with developments in MS instrumentation and methods. The post-holder will advise facility users on appropriate analytical methods and advise/assist them with data analysis. The role holder will need to be pragmatic in the management of the facility from project concept, allocation of time management, cost recovery, booking of projects and practical management of workload, to ensure projects are delivered in a timely manner. The post-holder will thus be responsible for the day-day operational management of their area and will be expected to take a lead role in increased effectiveness and efficiency of processes and procedures to support the research objectives of the scientific community.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.
Organisational context:
The Research Services Division is a key enabler to the delivery of the University’s Strategy 2030, the Research and Impact Strategy, successful REF performances, and meeting research income targets.
This role is within the Technical Strategy & Operations part of the Division. We are research and teaching technical staff across the entirety of the University of Exeter. We work in specialist areas across the University and beyond, undertaking and supporting research and teaching and promoting compliance and best practice, in the labs, studios, workshops, and field.
The service is comprised of a team of talented individuals who support our teaching and research, and in training the next generation of top scientists. Our technical roles, which include experimental officers, laboratory technicians and research technicians, all focus on different aspects of science and humanities - from mechanical/electrical engineering, medicine and health, life sciences, social sciences, film, drama & communications, physics, geology and geography, and so much more.
We are proud signatories of the Technician Commitment, working to raise the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical careers.
We are proud signatories of the Technician Commitment, working to raise the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical careers. We are also proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people to work in our operationally focused service. This role forms part of our Technical Career Pathway.
This post supports the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy is a vibrant interdisciplinary community, dedicated to delivering world-class education and research that breaks new boundaries and has a positive impact on the world. We work across fundamental sciences, engineering and business to deliver on the University’s Strategy 2030 to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future.
We are one of the world’s best universities in interdisciplinary environment and sustainability, founded on strong fundamental disciplinary research and education. The faculty is home to ten departments in physical and environmental sciences, engineering and includes the globally recognised, triple accredited University of Exeter Business School.
Working environment:
The Penryn Campus is set in 100 acres of countryside, close to the waterside town of Falmouth, and boasts beautiful views over the Fal estuary. Made up of around 6,000 students, it offers a close-knit friendly community, in an arrangement that is unique as we share the campus with Falmouth University: a leading specialist arts institution.
The technical spaces within the campus support a range of teaching and research activity across disciplines such as mining, geology, geography, ecology, medical and biosciences, and engineering. Many of these spaces are undergoing upgrades under the Penryn2.0 project, meaning high-spec refurbished teaching and research labs, including micro and molecular biology and mass spectrometry, and a new purpose-built field research hub.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.
Benefits
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
1. 41 days leave per year
2. options for flexible working
3. numerous discounts at leading retailers
4. onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
5. sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
6. stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England