Laboratory Technician

About the role

We are inviting applicants for a part-time one-year laboratory technician position at the Centre for Rapid Online Analysis of Reactions (ROAR) facility, based in Chemistry at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH) in White City.

ROAR is a charge-out facility which offers access to state-of-the art automated reaction platforms and analytical instruments dedicated to the study of reactions through acquisition of large quantities of high-quality data. The facility supports multiple internal and external research projects based on its mission to enable researchers to perform cutting edge data-led research in synthetic chemistry.

AIChemy, the UK’s first research hub to develop artificial intelligence (AI) for chemistry, also based in the MSRH, seeks to both develop new AI approaches and to increase the uptake of AI in the chemistry community. As such, the Hub brings together AI researchers from many subdisciplines and both experimental and computational chemists while also offering access to the state-of-the-art automated workflows for data curation and closed-loop discovery.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team and provide technical assistance across ROAR and AIChemy. The postholder will be based in the ROAR facility and responsible for supporting its daily laboratory operations, alongside assisting with the cross-over equipment maintenance of both the ROAR facility and AIChemy kit.

What you would be doing

Your duties and responsibilities will include (not exhaustive):

• Providing daily technical and experimental support including training users and troubleshooting equipment.
• Ensuring all users meet the relevant training requirements – this includes training in the use of the automated platforms and analytical equipment.
• Overseeing cleaning and alignment, regular diagnostics, calibration and maintenance of specific scientific instrumentation.
• Monitoring the health and safety of the ROAR labs including ensuring that all Health and Safety documents and procedures are in place, up-to-date and complied with.

You will be an enthusiastic and engaging individual, fostering a friendly and supportive research environment, and capable of liaising between the ROAR facility and AIChemy Hub. You should have prior relevant experience from industry or an academic environment. You may also be involved in collaborations, particularly within the Automation, Analytical and Digital Chemistry space, including but not limited to SMEs as well as internal users.

What we are looking for

Essential criteria include:

• Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline
• Day-to-day lab maintenance, including but not limited to: ensuring the lab is an orderly space, is well stocked, and equipment is operational
• Practical experience in using and operating chromatographic equipment (in particular, HPLC, LCMS, and preparative-LCMS)
• Practical experience in using and operating spectroscopic equipment (in particular, UV-Vis and IR)
• Experience in maintaining analytical instruments, including setup, calibration, troubleshooting and repair.

Desirable experience includes one or more of the following: practical experience in automation and high-throughput experimental workflows; practical experience in programming and using automated robotic arms; coding in Python.

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 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• 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

The position is available part-time (0.5 FTE) up to 12 months in the first instance.

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