IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
QCCSRC Experimental Officer
Department/Division/Faculty:
Chemical Engineering
Job Family/Level:
Technical and Operational Services, Level 3b
Responsible to:
QCCSRC Programme Manager
Key Working Relationships
(internal)
Students, Professional and Academic Staff
The Purpose of the Post
The post-holder will contribute directly to thermophysical laboratory-based carbon
storage research, working principally with postgraduate students and research staff.
These duties will involve direct contributions to designing, implementing and
maintaining new and existing laboratory experiments, in particular high-temperature
and high-pressure apparatus for measuring the thermophysical properties of fluid
mixtures containing carbon dioxide and their interactions with rocks. In addition,
support of relevant researchers in establishing equipment in sponsor laboratories will
be required.
Key Responsibilities
Research Support
 Contribute to the high-level research and continual development of our new
research facilities for the programme: Qatar CCS Multi-Scale Imaging Lab;
Qatar Thermophyiscal Properties Lab and the Qatar Complex Fluids Lab.
 Install, commission, test and maintain laboratory based research experiments
both within Imperial College and within sponsor laboratories.
 Work closely with other departmental staff and make a contribution to the
programme’s research through compiling experimental procedures, risk
assessments, and standard operating procedures suitable for research students
and staff.
 Help produce clear and comprehensive plans and procedures for equipment
maintenance, calibration and ah-hoc information requested by sponsor and in
the maintenance of a shared-access archive of this information.
 Help co-ordinate and prepare rock and fluid samples for subsequent analysis
by researchers and/or third parties.
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
To remain professional in practice and maintain knowledge in own specialist
area.
Administration and other activities

Help plan experimental progression and co-ordination in line with programme
objectives.

Produce regular reports to programme management, as and when required.

To undertake specific departmental roles as may be required.

To attend and participate in committees, working groups and seminars within the
programme as required and relevant external professional activities.

Acquire vendor quotations and track purchase orders/invoices and relay
equipment/consumable purchase information to programme management.

Track samples (fluids/rocks/thin sections) on a shared database.

Ensure Health and Safety procedures are followed and non-compliance
tracked to resolution.
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the
key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data
Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety,
Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors),
Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and
Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set
out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities
page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out
in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
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IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following attributes.
Imperial Expectations:
These are the 7 principles that Imperial leaders, managers and supervisors are
expected to follow:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity
Communicate regularly and effectively within, and across, teams
Consider the thoughts and expectations of others
Deliver positive outcomes
Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination
Support and develop staff/colleagues to optimise talent
Work in a planned and managed way
Education and Qualifications

HNC in chemistry, process engineering, earth sciences or a related discipline

Degree in chemistry, earth sciences, chemical/petroleum engineering or a
related discipline is desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential

Significant professional experience as an experimental officer, laboratory
technician and/or plant process operator utilising high-temperature highpressure apparatus.

Experience of planning and progressing work independently within general
guidelines, using initiative and judgment to meet agreed objectives.

Health and Safety experience in research laboratories.

Competent with common Microsoft software packages including Word and
Excel.
Desirable

Skills in operating a range of analytical instruments (e.g., GCs, Mass
Spectrometry), process engineering equipment and/or experiments relevant
to the oil and gas sector.

Knowledge of typical oil and gas PVT and/or SCAL laboratory best practices.

Experience of operating imaging equipment (i.e., micro-CT and/or medical CT
scanners).
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
Experience of experimentally using dense phase carbon dioxide, brine and
hydrocarbons.

Competence with laboratory/experimental software packages (e.g., Labview,
Agilent VEE, Solid Works, etc.) and web-based software packages (e.g.,
SharePoint).

Experience of MS office software, including Word and Excel, and be familiar
with the use of web-based software applications.
Competencies, Skills and Abilities
Essential

Ability to perform procurement, installation and testing of research equipment
to set timelines and respective safety and quality standards.

Practical skills needed to ensure that laboratory equipment is kept in working
order including carrying out minor repairs and adaptations.

Capable to produce written experimental procedures in a professional and
clear style, suitable for sponsor usage and archiving.

Proven organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, set priorities, work
effectively under pressure and complete tasks to agreed time and quality
standards.

Disciplined with a high regard for confidentiality and security at all times

Willingness to travel abroad to perform outlined duties in sponsor laboratories
Desirable

Proven ability and achievements in helping to deliver high quality research
data.
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