Grade 7 Laboratory Manager

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 40 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional, dedicated, highly motivated individual to join our Laboratory Management Support Service Team as a Laboratory Manager. The School has research Divisions located both on University Campus, Central Dundee and in the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie. This multidisciplinary research environment, encompasses chemistry, molecular and cell biology and plant research laboratories including Containment Level 2 and 3 Tissue Culture Facilities. Working under the direction of the Operations Lead, the team is subdivided into smaller technical support service groups which are assigned to specific Divisions and staff groups within the School. Each team is led by a Laboratory Manager with responsibility for the provision and delivery of a high-quality technical support service including laboratory management and operational support for research activities, creating, and maintaining a fully functional safe operating environment. The role holder will proactively identify ways of improving the service to meet the day to day changing demands.

• The delivery of the full laboratory management service provision, providing leadership and management of a local team, managing activities, monitoring deadlines and critical timelines to ensure a smooth and efficient service delivery
• Working with the Head of Division and Operations Lead, responsible for planning of laboratory management teamwork activities for the delivery of the Divisional objectives.
• Streamlining and developing the service provision and operations for continuous improvement and ensure that the delivery is fit-for purpose for staff and students completing research activity.
• The implementation and monitoring adherence to health and safety policy and procedures and reporting non-compliance.
• Responsible for the support service provision delivery required in communal laboratory facilities which may include Containment Level 2 and 3 Tissue Culture Suites, organic chemistry research laboratories and specialist equipment rooms.
• Ensuring required safe operating procedures and risk assessments for the activities completed by their team are in place.
• The procurement of consumables, scientific equipment and establishing consolidated service contracts following legal guidelines and University Procurement Policy and Procedures.
• Provide pricing information for capital equipment and consumables for grant applications, liaising with the University Procurement Office as required.
• Work with the Operations Lead on the coordination of equipment bids and future funding opportunities to be considered by the School.
• Working with the Operations Lead, input into the Divisional 5-year strategic equipment replacement plan to ensure resilience.
• Responsible for management of the maintenance, repair and servicing of scientific equipment ensuring safe operation, legal compliance and records and inventories are maintained.
• Responsible for grant management, monitoring expenditure and providing financial overviews to budget holders.
• Responsible for completing Human Resource tasks in relation to managing junior staff, including recruitment, performance and absence management, completing appraisal and identifying training needs.
• As a senior member of the Divisional support team, provide reports, updates and advice related to Health and Safety and operational activity, which may be presented at meetings.

• Professionally qualified with a BSc in a life science subject or significant equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive knowledge and experience working within an academic research environment.
• Excellent understanding of the support activity required to manage and service research staff and students in a highly efficient manner.
• Excellent knowledge of University procurement policy and procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of Health and Safety regulations for safe working practices..
• Proven ability in analysing financial data and reporting on findings.
• Excellent liaison skills, with ability to manage complex relationships with a wide range of individuals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to lead within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to be proactive to the needs of staff and students, responding to enquiries.
• Excellent ability to communicate complex information
• Meticulous attention to detail, producing work of consistently high standard
• Independent, self-motivated, and proactive in relation to planning own and others workload.
• Competent in taking independent decisions to meet wider objectives which impacts own workload.
• High-level IT skills and the ability to present information and data in a clear and concise manner
• Commitment to continuous service development

We are one of the UK’s leading universities – internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others. Conveniently located on the banks of River Tay, our main city-centre campus is at the heart of Dundee - an up-and-coming, friendly, compact and affordable city with a rich heritage in design and technology. Just a short walk from the V&A Museum of Design Dundee, we’re close to both the train and bus stations. We also have campuses at Ninewells Hospital and in Kirkcaldy which are easily accessible via local transport links.

For further information about this position please contact Louise McGreavey at l.e.mcgreavey@dundee.ac.uk. To find out more about the School of Life Sciences please visit https://www.dundee.ac.uk

As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job applicants from all countries and nationalities.  The School of Life Sciences is proud to employ staff from over 40 different nations.

The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.

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