Research Technician

The successful applicant will join leading international researchers in the Organic Geochemistry Unit. Using established wet-chemistry protocols and state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation you will contribute to projects investigating the diet of human populations in the past. As a Research Technician you will also support in the routine running of laboratory operations.

The role is based in laboratories in the School of Chemistry (recently ranked #1 in the UK for research) at the Clifton campus of University of Bristol.

Weekly presentations from researchers in the group and guests from other institutions will give you the opportunity to keep abreast of brand-new research in the field.

Other benefits of working for University of Bristol include:

• a generous annual leave allowance totalling 40 days
• enrolment into the University of Bristol Group Pension Plan with an employer contribution of up to 12.5%
• a cycle to work scheme
• staff social, clubs and events

• Carrying out experimental techniques using pre-agreed sample preparation and wet chemistry protocols
• Gathering and manipulating routine data so that others can interpret it
• Responsive and flexible based on service need. Give task direction to others when necessary
• Operating, servicing, maintenance and calibration of research equipment (including GC, GC-MS, HT-GC-MS, GC-C-IRMS and GC-TC-IRMS).
• Recognising and resolving problems, including complex issues, e.g. fault diagnosis, process improvement
• Understanding Health & Safety requirements, contributing to risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines
• Training others in processes and procedures, e.g. use of equipment and experimental techniques
• Maintaining stocks of lab materials and consumables, as well as input into larger purchases, liaising with relevant internal contacts and suppliers to ensure cost effectiveness.

• Qualifications at GCSE, or NVQ level 2/3, or equivalent level, plus relevant work experience in Chemistry or strongly related subject; or significant relevant work experience in Chemistry or strongly related subject
• Experience of working in an analytical chemistry laboratory to include laboratory techniques, process improvement and problem solving
• Basic knowledge of analytical environmental science or organic geochemistry
• Practical experience of analysing samples using GC-FID and GC-MS, including data interpretation.
• Experience of operating and maintaining a range of scientific instrumentation, including data collection
• Knowledge of good laboratory practice and safety, including COSHH and risk assessment.
• Excellent IT skills, and an ability to effectively use new software or IT systems when required
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to deal with and prioritise a range of ongoing tasks at the same time, and to be able to cope under pressure
• Ability to carry out procedures in an accurate and timely manner, and contribute to process improvement
• Ability to work with minimal supervision towards pre-defined goals
• Proven experience of completing tasks to a high level of accuracy
• Innovative approach to work.

Contract type:
Open ended with fixed funding for 24 months

The position is funded for a fixed term of 2 years with a starting date of June 2026 or ASAP. Further funding may become available to extend this employment.

Work pattern:
Full time

Grade: F

School/Unit:
School of Chemistry