Support Technician Agilent Measurement Suite

Job description

About the role

The post holder will be supporting the daily operational aspects of the Agilent Measurement Suite (AMS). The AMS acts as both a research facility for Imperial and showcase for Agilent's state of the art instrumentation. The post holder will have strong theoretical knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of a range of analytical instrumentation in particular liquid/gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry.

Additionally, the post holder will be expected to provide support to technical services and act as a point of contact for a designated floor, assisting students and staff during their activities, demonstrating a flexible and multidisciplinary approach.

What you would be doing

• Support operational aspects for the Agilent Measurement Suite (AMS):
• Provide technical support including independently training users and troubleshooting research instruments.
• Liaise and coordinate with specialist engineers from Agilent regarding the maintenance of the equipment and preparation of the facility for showcase visits.
• Prepare and calibrate of instruments using own experience for procedure selection and supporting users with experiments.
• Support the operation of the AMS electronic booking system (iLab). This will include editing bookings; instrumentation use and responding to any problems and queries that users may experience.
• Train researchers in the use of the research instrumentation, including but not limited to analytical and preparative HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), LC/MS (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry), Walk-Up LC/MS, GC-MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry).
• Oversee the operation of the walk-up LC/MS instrument, including routine maintenance.
• Coordinating with Health and Safety to maintain high standards, update risk assessments (RAs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) associated with instruments as required and ensure that users are well versed in all safety aspects of the suite.
• Vet project proposals for use of the AMS facilities using previous obtained experience.
• Monitor and respond to AMS emails, communicate suite updates to all users.
• Maintain and update a user database/contact list for the suite
• Provide preventative maintenance for LC/GC/MS instrumentation.
• Develop training packages for a range of knowledge levels.
• Support initiatives such as outreach and the departments laboratory technician apprenticeship scheme.

Other duties:

• Work closely with property division on maintenance and emergency repairs to infrastructure ensuring that those directly affected are kept fully informed.
• Liaise between the department and property division to ensure that requests for permits, including access to laboratories and departmental space, are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Deliver instruction to staff and students on safe practice within laboratories, ensuring good laboratory practice is maintained particularly in relation to the handling and disposal of chemicals and solvents.
• Instruct staff and students in the safe use of the equipment within research laboratories.
• Autonomously seek out and raise own competency levels through both training and networking.
• Supporting chemistry technical operations, including collection of waste solvents and chemicals from laboratories, delivery of dry-ice/liquid nitrogen and other general duties when required.
• To act as a technical point of contact for a designated research floor and work with the academic floor coordinator to resolve issues and maintain good working practices across laboratories and office spaces.

What we are looking for

• A-Levels in Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology (Or Equivalent)
• Previous work experience in a relevant research instrumentation role in a HE or industrial environment.
• Proven experience in high resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).
• Working knowledge regarding principles of analytical research instrumentation, including Mass Spectrometry (MS), Liquid Chromatography (LC) Gas Chromatography (GC), and UV-Vis Spectrometry.]
• Knowledge of synthetic chemistry laboratory operations.]
• Understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures.
• Experience writing and updating Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Able to work independently.
• Ability to understand and implement software upgrades.
• Capable of liaising between facilities, external contractors, and research groups.
• Able to work closely with technical/facilities/academic staff and students providing assistance and guidance when required.
• Excellent level of IT literacy, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience of wide range of software packages associated with analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to adapt and perform a wide variety of tasks.
  • The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
  • Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days' annual leave and generous pension schemes).
  • Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
  • Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
  • Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days' annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing .

Further information

This is a full-time/ (35hours per week).

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Trevor Ferris- [email protected]