Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
<date>
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Technician
Post number:
Academic Unit/Service:
Ocean and Earth Science
Career pathway:
TAE
*ERE category:
Balanced portfolio/Research focused
Posts responsible to:
Profs E Achterberg and T Tyrrell
Level:
3 spine 20
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To ensure the provision of effective and efficient technical support to the UK Shelf Sea
Biogeochemistry Research Programme (UKSSB) NERC funded consortium grant ‘CArbon/Nutrient
DYnamics and FLuxes Over Shelf Systems (CANDYFLOSS)’, principally carbonate chemistry
measurements using state of the art analytical instrumentation (coulometer and gran titration),
and also sampling on research cruises.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Undertake carbonate chemistry measurements on collected samples from UKSSB
research cruises to the Celtic Sea, and from shelf wide sample collection by
partner organisations (e.g. CEFAS, Marine Scotland). The research technician will
undertake the bulk of the DIC and alkalinity analyses of the collected samples
under the guidance of a postdoctoral researcher. Take part in cruises to collect
carbonate chemistry samples.
60
2.
3. Carry out data quality analyses for DIC and TA measurements and provide
the results to the postdoctoral researcher
10
4.
Undertake additional tasks in laboratory that fall within the scope of the role as
allocated by Professor Achterberg
10
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
5.
Carry out administrative tasks for the running of the laboratory and cruises,
including risk assessments, and documentation required for cruise preparation.
10
6.
Train postgraduate students on DIC and alkalinity measurements.
10
Internal and external relationships (including nature and purpose of relationships)
Direct responsibility to principal investigators and other investigators involved in UKSSB
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
Relevant NVQ3/HNC/A-level/City BSc or equivalent in Science
subject.
& Guilds or equivalent
qualification and experience
Experience with sample
preparation and analysis of
carbonate chemistry in seawater
samples using advanced
instrumental analytical
techniques.
Experience with data reporting.
Desirable
Sea-going experience with
collection of samples for
carbonate chemistry analysis
How to be
assessed
Application,
checking
references.
Application,
interview.
Application,
interview.
Application,
interview.
Planning &
organising
Ability to work unsupervised for
short periods (days).
Proactive time management and
meeting deadlines.
Application,
references,
interview.
Application,
references,
interview.
Problem solving
& initiative
Ability to solve minor technical
issues with instrumentation.
Application,
references,
interview.
Management &
teamwork
Understanding of relevant Health
& Safety issues
Application,
interview.
Interview
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Positive attitude to colleagues
and students
Communicating
& influencing
Other skills &
behaviours
Special
requirements
Document1
Ability to spend periods of time
at sea on UK research vessels
Interview,
references
3
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
OFFICE-BASED POST
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU) no further information needs to
be supplied.
NON-OFFICE BASED POST
If this post has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the
analysis below.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Outside work
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
V
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
V

Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
V
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
V
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
V
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
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