Laboratory Services Team Leader

Harwell, Oxfordshire

Full time / Flexible hours considered

6-Months Fixed Term: October 2024 – April 2025

Reference: 11404

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a scientific facility designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. Our scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.

About the Role

We are seeking to recruit an experienced laboratory and people manager with significant leadership skills for a 6-month fixed term contract (October 2024 – April 2025). Your aim will be to manage the small Laboratory Services Team (five direct reports) to provide a broad range of scientific support for instrumentation, safety, and user programs within all laboratories, including the provision of offline laboratory access facilities.

Further responsibilities will include:

• Working with the laboratory personnel to develop safety policies and approaches, for these areas. Carrying out regular inspections of the Physical and Life Science laboratories reporting any concerns regarding safety, operation, or performance to relevant parties. Liaising with relevant parties/groups to ensure faults etc. are rectified.
• Management of all centralised laboratory equipment service contracts (including repairs and faults) and calibration schedules across Diamond laboratories and the Diamond equipment at the RC@H. Ensure validation, testing and compliance, for all laboratory safety equipment (fume cupboards, Bio-safety cabinets, Autoclaves). Regularly reviewing contracts to ensure they meet Diamonds needs and negotiating with current suppliers or potential new suppliers to achieve best value.
• Delivering Legionella management for the Science Divisions, maintaining the database of laboratory and beamline equipment that requires assessment for legionella risk (ensuring compliance with HSE ACoP). Coordinating with the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Group and Diamond’s Legionella Responsible Person to ensure risks are highlighted and identifying actions as required. Ensure that laboratory and beamline staff are aware of risks and any maintenance required.
• Management of budgets as assigned.

About You

You will have previous experience in laboratory management in a multi-disciplinary scientific environment and supervision/management of a team with the ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills.

• There is a strong emphasis on Health and Safety so familiarity of risk assessments and legislation applicable to laboratory environments is essential.
• Have familiarity of the use and disposal of hazardous chemicals and gases in accordance with C.O.S.H.H.
• Display proven experience of working in chemistry and biology labs and knowledge of use of laboratory instrumentation.
• Highly motivated and able to work under your own initiative. Good communication skills are required to interact with a range of colleagues and stakeholders.
• Extremely organised and have good IT skills to maintain records accurately where required.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 11th August.

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