Description Position Details College of Medicine and Health Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388 Grade: 5 Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026 Closing date: 20th May 2025 This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager. Our offer to you People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham Background This post is part of the College’s Infrastructure and Facilities team of Technical and Laboratory Managers providing wide ranging support within a defined geographical area. Role Summary The post holder will have responsibility for the overall day to day management of the research laboratory and office facilities within a designated area in conjunction with the local geographical Laboratory Manager for activities such as supporting basic housekeeping, estates and H&S matters relating to the research facilities. Each area has specific requirements, and the post holder may also provide training to the research activities in line with their own expertise. The post holder will also provide support for and contribute to College activities under the direction of the Deputy Director of Operations (Infrastructure and Facilities) as required. Main Duties The post holder will contribute to general administrative tasks relevant to the suite of laboratories and offices within their designated areas. These include: In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager establish an appropriate induction information new staff joining groups based within their defined area of responsibility. This will incorporate access procedures for the controlled areas, local H&S matters, core support service provision, IT support information and general management issues. This should be linked to the College induction materials. In conjunction with the Geographical Laboratory Manager the role holder will have the responsibility for the reporting Estate failures and monitoring the progress of the repair. Ensuring all laboratory facilities are maintained at an optimal level including the timely servicing of statuary laboratory equipment. Ensure that all research and support staff comply with basic housekeeping policies and take effective action for areas of non-compliance. Establish appropriate rotas for maintenance of communal areas and monitor compliance. Work closely with the Technical Manager and Laboratory Manager to achieve effective and efficient use of all space, including storage space within the defined area, and where required any refurbishment/reconfiguration of space in order to achieve optimum use. Ensuring the best use of equipment through booking systems, if appropriate. Ensure an up to date asset register for all equipment located within the defined area of responsibility is maintained. Ensure that technical support staff linked with academic groups located in the area receive appropriate training, mentoring and support in the execution of their duties. Play a proactive role in the transfer of specialist skills and knowledge within post holder’s relevant area of technical expertise to more junior technical staff/students/research staff across the College. Provide advice and guidance relating to this expertise as and when required. To actively engage in the Personal Development Process by conducting PDR’s for junior technical staff. Proactively support the aims of the Technical Academy and the Technician’s Commitment. To contribute at a level appropriate with the grade, to internal and external audit procedures, and to regulatory inspections. Ensure all orders placed for research groups comply with the University financial rules and regulations and in particular all matters relating to VAT. Take part in College wide initiatives linked to aspects of supporting technical support staff or other related processes. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder as directed by the line manager. Health and Safety duties Enabling staff and students, working within the area of responsibility, to comply with all basic University / College Health & Safety policies This will include compliance by all staff with current rules governing work with COSHH, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), biological samples, human tissue, radioactive materials and schedule 5 toxins etc. Ensure all required assessments are in place approved and up to date. Responsible for supporting all aspects of basic H&S relating directly to the activities of all academic groups within the designated area. This will include ensuring all risk assessments prepared by the groups are fit for purpose and appropriate for the work in progress. Ensuring all reviews and updates of risk assessments are undertaken in good time and comply with University/College requirements. Support academic groups to comply with the requirements of Good Laboratory and Good Clinical Practice as required. Maintaining records both paper and computer based as appropriate. Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the PI, Technical Manager, Laboratory Manager or College Safety Adviser. Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory, recycled and general waste. Ensure that regular maintenance processes such as flushing eye wash stations as appropriate and ensuring records are maintained. Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures. Function as fire warden and/or first aider as necessary for area of responsibility, maintaining awareness of higher risk activities within area of responsibility. Liaising with the building fire marshal and security services during any emergency situation. General Administration and Organisation Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date. Generate purchase order requisitions and receipt goods using University systems when appropriate. Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels. Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures. Other Duties In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff. Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others. Any other duties as may reasonably be required. Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience Extensive relevant experience of laboratory practices and/or an appropriate professional qualification. GCSE level 2 (A C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English. Extensive experience of laboratory based work. Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others. Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements. Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role. Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same. Understanding of the Human Tissue Act and working to GLP standards. Proficiency in commonly used software packages. Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace. Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures. Dimensions You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring. Planning and Organising You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods. Problem Solving and decision making You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy. Internal and External relationships This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives. Further particulars can be found here Informal enquiries to Carol Benham, email: c.a.benham@bham.ac.uk View our staff values and behaviours here We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .