Salary: £31,236.00 - £32,080 with progression to £34,610 per annum Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Closing Date: 15 December 2025 The Role The School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to the role of Senior Chemical and Biological Technician. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of technical staff supporting teaching and research activities, in particular within the Environmental Engineering group. Our highly skilled and professional technical colleagues are essential in supporting and delivering successful teaching and research activities to an international standard. We have approximately 75 technicians employed within the School of Engineering working on both our campus and off-site facilities across the North East of England. We have expertise that spans a wide range of disciplines that make a fundamental contribution towards Newcastle University’s impact on the world. You will be part of a technical team who provide support to academic and research staff across the Environmental Engineering labs as well as supporting our postgraduate and undergraduate students in their taught lab sessions. You will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of analytical equipment such as Ion and Gas Chromatography, TOC/TIC and UV/Vis spectrophotometers. You will support the Technical Team Leader in their designated area regarding aspects of health and safety, infrastructure and estate, and asset management. You will need to demonstrate: A proven track record of working in laboratory environments and independent working, as well as the ability to work as part of a team A proactive mindset with evidence of continuous improvement Evidence of technical problem solving, and a solution focused approach A strong customer focus and the ability to work flexibly, efficiently, and cooperatively with stakeholders A good understanding of health and safety systems Proven technical expertise in the operation of analytical instrumentation specifically used for water quality analysis Microbiological and molecular biological experience would be desirable For informal enquiries, please contact David Whittaker at david.whittaker@newcastle.ac.uk. The position is full-time and offered on an open-ended basis. At Newcastle University we are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. For further details about Newcastle University please visit our information page at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about. Key Accountabilities In conjunction with the Technical Team Leader, be responsible for the day-to-day operation of specific laboratory facilities and items of equipment and instrumentation. To undertake fault diagnosis, testing, repair, calibration and preventative maintenance on equipment and instrumentation In conjunction with academic, research, technical staff and students as appropriate, identify consumable and equipment requirements and initiate their ordering according to the school and university purchasing procedures. Keep financial records of any activities as directed by the Team Leader To maintain an effective inventory of chemicals and equipment within your designated work area to ensure a continuous supply is available, and ensure safe disposal of hazardous materials generated by teaching and research activities according to standard university procedures Ensure compliance with relevant safety procedures including relevant risk assessments. In conjunction with the Technical Team Leader and School Safety Officer, monitor compliance with all statutory and local safety arrangements To train and advise staff and students in appropriate lab techniques and good lab practise to ensure they are able to carry out their work in a safe manner. To provide lab supervision and training to postgraduate and undergraduate students and for junior technical staff using the facilities to ensure working practices are followed To contribute to regular teaching and team meetings, health and safety processes and lab inspections Provide comprehensive support and advice to staff and students on technical development, design, preparation, construction, assembly and setting up of experiments and teaching sessions, including supporting the scheduling of project activities To have responsibility for the running and maintenance of analytical equipment and instrumentation as required. As part of the wider chemical and biological services technical team, have responsibility for the running and maintenance of the service in support of research and teaching involving the use of various scientific equipment Undertake molecular/microbiological techniques and water quality analysis as part of ongoing research, teaching or commercial outreach activities in accordance with appropriate standards, including collating, providing both data and results for interpretation, processing and archiving Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required The Person Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Essential) Experience of working in a relevant technical role within a chemical or biological lab environment, managing day-to-day activities Experience of supporting lab infrastructure, including inventories, instrumentation and equipment and coordinates maintenance within budget Demonstrates effective team working skills and sustainable practises within a lab environment Proficient in a range of analytical instruments with a good theoretical and practical knowledge of scientific equipment Experience of microbiological and/or molecular biological techniques Up-to-date and detailed knowledge of health and safety procedures in a lab setting. Including experience of writing risk assessments, COSHH and standard operating procedures Demonstrates technical and problem solving ability and adaptability to changing research and teaching laboratory priorities Contributes to the design, planning and execution of teaching and research lab activities Proven written and verbal communication skills Attributes and Behaviour Demonstrates flexibility and teamwork by supporting colleagues, sharing workloads, and communicating progress clearly Collaborates effectively, sharing knowledge of processes and systems to enhance team efficiency and decision-making Works in a structured, detail-orientated manner, prioritising tasks and resources to meet targets and maintain high service standards Proactively identifies and implements process improvements to optimise performance Embraces change and contributes to a culture of innovation and continuous learning Qualifications Higher National Certificate in Science (or equivalent Level 4 qualification); or relevant technical experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and on-the-job experience Full UK driving license Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. Requisition ID: 28816