Key responsibilities
:
Management
You will be responsible for the efficient running of the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, managing a team of around 10 staff who are responsible for the preparation and provision of a wide variety of services to support the LMB’s scientific operations. Specific services provided by the team for which you are responsible include:
• Preparation of liquid microbiological culture media.
• Preparation of agar plates.
• Preparation of ‘fly food’.
• Maintaining Drosophila stocks.
• Preparation of sterile laboratory solutions (buffers, salt solutions etc.).
• Used laboratory glassware collection.
• Provision and restocking of clean glassware.
• Autoclaving of glassware.
• Mycoplasma testing.
• Troubleshooting and resolving quality control issues.
You will manage the service, including planning and allocation of work rotas (especially to ensure adequate absence cover across the team), ensuring that required levels of stock are maintained and ensuring that appropriate standards in quality and efficiency are maintained. You will also be responsible for trouble shooting and resolving issues as they arise. The majority of tasks will be undertaken by members of the team, but you will, if necessary, fill-in during absences or times of high workload.
You will develop new working arrangements to expand or improve the service, developing and implementing new methods, recipes etc. and ensure all bespoke media orders are fulfilled in a timely manner and to a high standard.
You will present strong team leadership, mentoring and good communication across the team, ensuring that staff welfare, training, support and development are provided. Given the wide range of services provided, this will require extensive cross-training. You will be responsible for recruitment within the team.
You will manage the facility’s intranet pages, in conjunction with the VisLab facility, to ensure that members of the LMB are aware of the services provided by the facility.
Health and Safety
You will be responsible within the facility for compliance with official legislation/regulations as well as local and MRC/UKRI policies and guidance (Health & Safety and other), including the below:
• Responsible for the safety of all members of staff in the Media Prep & Glasswash team and contractors attending site.
• Writing and managing the facility’s policies, procedures, risk assessments and integrated working practice to deliver high-quality services in a safe manner.
• Responsible for the training of staff on safe working practices, use of equipment and PPE requirements, and ensuring training records are kept up to date.
Equipment maintenance
You will be responsible for all the equipment and other facilities in the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, ensuring everything is running effectively and safely. This will involve managing external contracts and contractors, arranging regular servicing or call-out repairs (in conjunction with Laboratory Services), keeping up to date with developments in equipment/lab supplies and making recommendations for new or replacement equipment.
You will also be responsible for routine servicing and repairs of all autoclaves throughout the LMB and, in conjunction with Estates & Facilities, ensure maintenance according to applicable legislation and maintain appropriate training of personnel and records. You will also be responsible for the business continuity strategy for the facility, in conjunction with senior management.
Budget and stock management
You will have delegated authority for all financial expenditure and aspects of the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, including:
• Arranging the supply and purchasing arrangements for all consumables used within the facility, ensuring that necessary stock levels are maintained to deliver against business continuity needs.
• Developing and maintaining appropriate record keeping of all spend.
• Working with suppliers to ensure best pricing for consumables, equipment and service contracts to ensure the facility is cost effective.
• Working with the LMB’s Finance team to agree budgets and forecast spending for each financial year and over the 7-year institute review period.
You will be responsible for producing performance reports for the Executive Committee and Senior Management as required.
Sustainability
Working with the Scientific Services Manager to promote a culture of sustainability, including:
• Investigating sustainable alternatives for consumables and chemicals.
• Taking sustainability into account when procuring new equipment.
• Investigating and implementing new processes within the facility that allow the LMB to be more sustainable.
Working relationships:
• You will report to the Scientific Services and Sustainability Manager.
• You will have line management responsibility for around 10 Media Prep and Glasswash staff.
You will interact with:
• Scientists in the LMB.
• Other members of the Operations Group, including those in HR, Finance, Laboratory Services, Health & Safety and Estates & Facilities.
• UKSBS / UKRI procurement.
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Education / qualifications / training required:
Essential:
• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant scientific subject, or equivalent experience.
Desirable:
• Health and Safety qualification, such as IOSHH Managing Safely or NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, or equivalent experience.
• Management qualification, ILM certificate or equivalent.
Previous work experience required:
Essential:
• Previous laboratory experience including media preparation or equivalent, preferably including handling chemical and/or biological materials.
• Proven experience of managing staff and resources.
Desirable:
• Extensive laboratory experience working within or leading a Media Prep and Glasswash facility.
Knowledge and experience:
Health & Safety Knowledge
Essential:
• Knowledge of safe working practices in a science laboratory environment, including containment facilities.
• A strong understanding of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
Desirable:
• An understanding of related legislation, such as the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations.
IT Experience
Essential:
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:
Leadership and Team Working
Essential:
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to manage, develop and motivate a large, diverse team.
• Ability to plan and allocate work rotas to optimise the use of resources and meet service requirements.
• Ability to deal with difficult situations, determine appropriate actions and carry these through.
• A proven ability to bring teams together during times of change whilst maintaining performance and output.
• Experience in training and development of a team.
Desirable:
• Ability to handle conflict situations.
• Customer focussed and flexible approach to your work.
Independent Working and Organisational Skills
Essential:
• A high degree of self-motivation with the ability to work independently without a high level of supervision and to organise your own time effectively.
• Ability to undertake and plan multiple tasks whilst prioritising facility workloads according to need.
Problem Solving Skills
Essential:
• Ability to tackle problems as and when they arise, applying solutions that take account of all relevant issues such as financial, quality and timing.
• Ability to exercise judgement even under pressure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to implement change.
Verbal and Written Communication Skills
Essential:
• Excellent written skills and the ability to produce documentation for staff at all levels.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to talk to staff at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build enduring and effective working relationships with staff at all levels, understanding that different people have different needs and styles of working.
Desirable
• Ability to negotiate effectively, particularly when dealing with services and suppliers.
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