Internal - Technical Specialist, Trace Element & Isotope Analysis

Technical Specialist, Trace Element & Isotope Analysis

The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Technical Specialist to join our sector‑leading Trace Element & Isotope Analysis Facility.

As a core member of a research‑focused and supportive team of technicians and technical specialists, you will work in our Cardiff Environmental Laboratory for Trace Element and Isotope Chemistry (CELTIC) Facility, collaborating closely with the Facility Manager and a diverse research community of academics, students and technical staff.

Our outstanding analytical infrastructure includes:

• Neoma Multicollector‑Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MS/MS MC‑ICP‑MS)
• Triton XT Multicollector Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer (TIMS)
• Nu Plasma II (MC‑ICP‑MS)
• Agilent 8900 triple‑quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP‑MS)
• Element XR HR‑ICP‑MS
• Element 2 HR‑ICP‑MS
• iCAP Pro XP ICP‑OES
• 2 iCAP‑RQ‑ICP‑MS
• 2 laser ablation systems (193 and 213 nm), 2 microwave digestion systems and a X‑300 fusion system

These instruments are supported by two class 1000 clean rooms dedicated to low‑blank processing of geological samples for trace metal and isotope measurements.

• Oversee maintenance and upkeep of instruments, ensuring appropriate maintenance regimes and timely servicing.
• Support lab users by providing technical expertise in method development, specialist techniques and procedures, and in the analysis, interpretation and storage of data.
• Collaborate with academic researchers to advance analytical methodologies in order to expand the facility’s capabilities.
• Contribute to research publications and funding proposals where required.
• Design new setups or optimise and automate existing systems.
• Deliver inductions, safety and specialist training to new and existing lab users to ensure competence with clean‑lab processes and instrument use.
• Take responsibility for lab‑related safety issues, ensuring regulatory compliance, conducting risk assessments and maintaining safety records.

Position:
Full‑time (35 hours per week). Fixed‑term for 2 years, starting immediately.

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially encourage applications from under‑represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT+, ethnic minority, or who have disabilities.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh without disadvantage.