The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a UK technology institute for life sciences, creating innovative technologies that transform our understanding of life. Our technologies, borne out of innovation in physical sciences, create collaborations and new avenues in life science which will lead to new therapeutics and advance our understanding of human biology.
As an NMR Facilities Manager your primary responsibility will be managing NMR spectrometers. Your role will entail establishing effective NMR methods for small and large molecule characterisation, including methods for characterisation of biomolecules and of ligand-biomolecule interactions.
Your remit will expand along with the Institute's activity and equipment, to support all work in synthetic, medicinal and chemical biology including our broad ambitions for diverse NMR applications, especially those associated with pathology. Accordingly, your tasks will increasingly encompass diverse methods and novel equipment in collaboration with our dedicated technicians. You will also work with key partners in this area, including diverse academic and industrial partners as well as other complementary facilities on the Harwell Campus and partner institutions/universities.
You will have the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary, diverse scientific environment, which encourages teamwork and collaboration. Reporting to the Head of Biomolecular NMR, Professor Andrew Baldwin. In this context you will have latitude to explore joint links with external university partners, obtain on-going training and you will be encouraged to both lead and support research.
This role is based at Harwell Campus, with full or part-time options available (minimum hours per week). Please indicate your preference at application.
Salary will be pro rata based on part-time hours.
Key Responsibilities
As a Facilities Lead you will:
1. Provide technical leadership for establishment of and integration of complex instrumentation, platforms or capabilities within the Franklin. Work towards maximising benefits to the Franklin from these.
2. Maintain the instrumentation and capabilities for highest levels of performance, establish and manage the implementation of the standard operating procedures for use to best enable science strategy for all Franklin scientists.
3. Ensure maximum up time of all instrumentation in the NMR facility, with established maintenance schedules; execute calibration protocols.
4. Take responsibility for health and safety, ensuring that staff are trained appropriately, risks are well managed and that the highest standards of integrity are upheld.
5. Establish framework for training and facilities access for users.
6. Work with key partners in the areas of expertise and build scientific collaborations, develop strategic plans with other Franklin leaders for future focus and capabilities.
7. Ensure that the Franklin is constantly "horizon scanning" for best tools/methods, pursue instrumentation-based research aligned with the Franklin’s science strategy.
8. Lead or jointly lead negotiations with vendors of higher-end equipment, ensure that purchase/maintenance agreements secure the best value for the Franklin.
9. Organise systems for staff/student training, monitor and maintain supplies and order consumables.
10. Organise and manage access to maximise productivity of the relevant research projects of the user community at the Franklin and on the Harwell Campus. This will involve consideration of schedules of access outside of typical working hours.
11. Contribute to the public engagement in science program of the Franklin and partners.
12. Any other duties that come up in the normal running of the facility and that can be reasonably requested of the post-holder.