senior laboratory technician - application pack laboratory technician - application pack 2046_lead...

2046_Lead Laboratory Technician_AP_V4.docx 0

Closing Date: <Date>

Closing Date: 4th June 2017

Vacancy Ref: 2046

Senior Laboratory Technician - Application Pack


Application Pack

Contents Contents ......................................................................... 1

UK Atomic Energy Authority ........................................... 2

ASSURANCE .................................................................... 4

The Role .......................................................................... 5

Selection Methods ........................................................ 11

Employee Benefits ........................................................ 12

How to Apply ................................................................ 17


Application Pack

UK Atomic Energy Authority

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is one of the world’s leading research organisations

supporting the development of fusion energy. Its primary mission is to advance fusion science

and technology to the point of commercialisation of fusion energy and to position the UK such

that it has a significant role in the fusion energy market. This is done through the Culham Centre

for Fusion Energy (CCFE).

UKAEA has 1000 staff and agency supplied workers, including world-leading scientists and

engineers, fostering close links with international partners, industry and academic institutions;

it also supports the development of the Culham Science Centre and Harwell science, innovation,

technology and business campus. It is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Following a number of restructurings, the ongoing activities of UKAEA include:

• Operating the Joint European Torus (JET), Europe’s premier fusion facility, under a 5-year contract (to December 2018) with the European Commission EUROfusion;

• The UK fusion research programme, including a major upgrade to the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) device, funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);

• Ownership and management of the Culham Science Centre, freehold ownership of most of the Harwell campus and a share in the joint venture (with STFC and a private sector partner) to continue the development of the campus as a vibrant science, innovation, technology and business campus;


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• Development of new facilities on the Culham site, such as RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), MRF (Materials Research Facility) and other facilities linked to the transition of the Authority from the physics of fusion research to the technological applications and design of new nuclear materials, reactors and demonstration fusion reactors;

• A business development programme, in both fusion and fission related areas such as materials, neutronics, tritium handling, advanced computing and modelling, as well as work for ITER (see below), and

• Management of historic liabilities, and of the Authority’s pension schemes.

ITER is a global scientific collaboration to prove the feasibility of energy from fusion on an

industrial scale. Construction of the ITER facilities is underway at Cadarache in the south of

France. Europe’s ITER agency, Fusion for Energy, allocates grants and contracts to fusion

laboratories and industry to complete the research and design for specialist ITER systems and

construction of major components and UKAEA has been successful in winning a number of

these grants or contracts.

UKAEA manages an overall budget of around £105m, with income primarily received

through Euratom and EPSRC programme funding.


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ASSURANCE Assurance Division has four elements, Health Physics & Environmental Monitoring, Quality,

Safety, Health & Environment (including risk management) and Security.

The role of the division is to provide assurance to the Board, Directors and senior managers that

the Authority operates in compliance with legal and other requirements, adopted standards,

and appropriate standards of corporate governance. In particular ensuring:

• arrangements comply with safety, health and environmental legislation;

• radiological safety standards are maintained;

• management systems are fit for purpose and comply with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS

18001;

• risks are managed appropriately and business continuity arrangements are adequate;

• security arrangements are appropriate;

• appropriate relationships are maintained with statutory regulators.

The vacancy of Leading laboratory technician falls within the Health Physics & Environmental

Monitoring element of Assurance Division.


Application Pack

The Role Career Family: Professional Support Reports to:

Laboratory Supervisor

Role Title: Senior Laboratory Technician

No. of employees/ASWs FRM for: (direct line management)

4 (ASW’s)

Level: 3 Total No. of staff in resource management chain

Overall Purpose:

Role: Responsible for supporting the Laboratory Supervisor in providing beryllium

and tritium analysis services in the HP laboratory and performing safety and efficiency

supervision of a team of 3-4 laboratory technicians.

Overseeing the safe and reliable operation of the laboratory plant and equipment, delegation of actions and tasks as appropriate to maintain efficiency. Act as Deputy Technical Manager for ISO 17025 UKAS accredited PAS provision. Assist the lab supervisor in leader technical validation work and producing appropriate reports

Accountabilities:

• Prepare samples for beryllium analysis by acid digestion and AAS analysis and also by fluorescence assay and uv spectrophotometry. Analysis of tritium samples by liquid scintillation techniques as per defined procedures, and check results. Ensure results database records are valid.

• Undertake direct safety supervision of all laboratory technicians and contractors and report problems to the HP Laboratory Supervisor/ATO holder. Report all matters concerning effective provision of the tritium and beryllium analysis service, staffing resources and allocation, to the lab supervisor/services manager.

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the beryllium and tritium laboratory services, including functioning of ventilation plant, digestion equipment, and ensure an efficient provision of the analysis service for all samples and report operational performance to the laboratory supervisor /ATO holder.

• Carry out support duties for the routine functioning of the laboratory, e.g. glassware cleaning, recordkeeping, checking of results and administrative tasks in support of the lab services.

• Assist with the training of new staff in all HP laboratory procedures, including operation of beryllium and tritium sample preparation equipment, operation of the uv Spectrophotometers, AAS and LSC equipment.

• Assist the laboratory supervisor with project and experimental planning and implementation; e.g. carry out analysis technique validation, undertake the data analysis and prepare written reports.


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• Ensure Laboratory QA samples are analysed promptly and the data logged into the appropriate database.

• Attend and contribute to group meetings and planning meetings as required.

• Act as the main point of contact and liaison with site services for the monthly ventilation maintenance shutdowns.

• By appropriate delegation ensure the following tasks are completed:-

• Daily: cleaning of lab/fume cupboard and related equipment, check and record plant room information, record laboratory temp & humidity, check and sign off analysis results in a timely fashion. Washing of bubbler bottles when required and washing up of lab glassware.

• Weekly; pick samples for inter-comparison QA checks; review equipment logs and update as required, stock check and report to Laboratory Supervisor. Obtain clearance and appropriate disposal of lab waste, check operation of the lab demin water still.

• Monthly: check condition of glassware and replace if required, make up blanks and standards as required, check pipette calibrations if required and clean and service the AA’s.

• Act as 5s champion within J1XE50.

Budget Responsibility:

•none

Specific Qualifications/Experience:

Educated to at least ‘A’ level standard in the sciences. At least 2 years’ experience of work in a busy laboratory UKAEA required training:- Basic Radiological Protection, Tritium Safety, Beryllium Safety, Be analysis (in house AAS course), Authorised Person (Pressurised Gases). Other:- Competent in the use of MS Excel and Word. Familiar with working to ISO 17025

Other Duties:

•

Technical/ Professional

40% Project Management

20% People Management

40%

Generic descriptors for all roles in this job family and level (This is standard information, please do not amend)

The first two descriptors relate to an overview of the role for the level within this job family


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Generic Snapshot Job holders work independently within prescribed parameters & advise others within their own area of expertise Job holders at this level perform assignments or specific tasks that include analysis & problem solving within a larger project or team output

Typical Representative Duties

Maintain data & databases Create standard reports & some ad hoc reports as required, obtaining, analysing and presenting the results to higher level decision making Validate data inputted by others Carry out routine analysis. Advise others on procedures & answer routine enquiries Interact with customers within specific field of expertise. Manage own development towards building knowledge & skills

The generic descriptors below relate to specific skills and attributes of the role for the level within this job family

Decision Making Receives general direction, work in progress is reviewed routinely Selects appropriate work procedures or approaches to address challenges Makes own decisions regarding how to approach a work assignment

Analytical Skills Executes assigned tasks requiring analysis & interpretation, based on generally defined assignments Contributes with suggestions to improvement of working processes & methods Because of differing situations, has latitude to consider which procedure to use Develops & designs simple systems using own initiative

Project Role Works on assigned tasks or work packages within a project Understands how tasks fit in with broader projects

Budget Management

Not applicable

Communication & Influencing

Effective in dealing with others in everyday working relationships, including contacts to request or provide information Explain issues verbally & in writing Advises those outside own area of expertise, explaining issues

External Links Works mainly with internal colleagues has interaction with external partners

People Management

Provides guidance to others May deploy people resources to maintain service levels across functions May supervise the work of apprentices / contractors

Knowledge, Skills and Experience


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Typical Technical Expertise, Experience & Skills

Graduate entry level OR equivalent experience May be working towards a professional qualification

UKAEA Organisation Knowledge

Understands internal colleague requirements, project requirements & the context in which they are operating

Behavioural Competencies These are the typical competencies required at this level but may be tailored to reflect specific job types. Refer to the full competency matrix for examples of behaviours at each level.

Taking Accountability

Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution to the organisation; committed to the delivery of work; truthful and honest; shows strong commitment to organisational success; strong personal drive for results; overcomes difficulties and doesn’t give up

Level: Progressive Acts on values even in difficult situations and takes personal responsibility for outcomes. Overcomes obstacles, putting in the extra effort.

Flexibility The ability to plan for, adapt to and work with a variety of situations, individuals and groups; understanding the need to change approach in order to meet individual, team and organisational objectives; having a positive attitude to change; ability to cope with ambiguity.

Level: Progressive Adapts tactics to meet objectives. Helps shape new ways of doing things and contributes positively to the change process.

Communication & Influencing

The ability to communicate effectively and influence people at all levels, both orally and in writing; implies an intention to persuade, convince, influence or impress others in order to gain their support; listens to others concerns and conveys information clearly and proactively.

Level: Core Listens and communicates clearly and concisely. Maintains an environment in which people communicate honestly and openly. Persuades others through logic, fact and reason.

Teamwork & Cooperation

Uses interpersonal skills to work co-operatively with colleagues, internal and external partners; works pro-actively across cultures and organisational boundaries; shares information and ideas; encourages diversity of thinking.

Level: Core Cooperates with colleagues and supports team members. Contributes positively to the accomplishment of team objectives.

Self-Development Openness to feedback, using feedback effectively; willing to learn from experience and aware of impact on others; pursues learning opportunities; and modifies behaviour accordingly; shows commitment to learning and development


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Level: Core Learns from mistakes and responds to feedback. Is self-aware.

Innovation & Curiosity

Spots opportunities; simplifies methods; generates creative solutions to work problems; finds new ways to deal with organisational challenges and issues; implements new ideas or approaches; focuses on continuous improvement; solves problems through creative thinking and identifies patterns or connections between situations.

Level: Core Seeks Improvements and is open to new ideas. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practices.

Systematic Thinking & Planning

A methodical and analytical approach to problem solving, planning and decision making; breaks down problems systematically in order to fully understand the implications; sets priorities on a rational basis

Level: Core Breaks down problems and recognises patterns. Makes rational decisions and prioritises.

Commercial Awareness

The ability to use commercial information in buying and selling to support decision making; demonstrates a strong financial awareness and focuses efforts on value added activities; appropriately manages client, partner, collaborators and third party expectations; appropriately withholds information/intellectual property that has commercial value: communicates appropriately with third parties involved in commercial activity with the Authority

Level: Core Invests time and effort on value-added activities. Delivers work within resource constraints and meets client / partner expectations.

Behavioural Safety Competency

The ability to demonstrate safe working in particular an awareness of risk and how these are managed to prevent or minimise injury or loss, taking action where risks are not properly managed.

Level: Core Demonstrates an ability to work safely with a good understanding of safe working in particular duty to themselves and others. Is aware of the key hazards relevant to their work and has the confidence to stop the job and raise concerns.

Management and Leadership Competencies

Setting Direction Supports the delivery The Authority's organisational objectives ,vision, mission & strategies; translates strategies into realistic and workable solutions; ensures that decisions are aligned to the organisational strategy

Level: Supervising & Aspiring Managers

Understands and communicates the importance of meeting departmental and organisational objectives.


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Leading & Developing Others

Leads, inspires and motivates individuals and teams; provides a clear vision, sense of purpose and direction in a way that people understand and buy into; ensures that others understand how to align their efforts to the Authority's objectives; is approachable and supportive; tackles poor performance and encourages people to reach their full potential.


Demonstrates a ‘can-do’ optimism and energises others. Encourages high standards and acknowledges others’ effort and accomplishments

Management Behavioural Safety Competency

Visibly applying the Authority's Safety, Health and Environment policy, taking responsibility for the management of personnel ensuring their safety in the workplace, ensuring any potential environmental impacts from the Authority's activities associated with their work are minimised in accordance with the environmental policy and procedure.


Sets an example of working safely to others and actively promotes a positive attitude to safe working. Takes ownership for the risks faced by their staff and actively empowers individuals to take responsibility for safe working.

The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that are reasonable and commensurate with this role that may not be specifically referred to in this document.

Line managers are responsible for deciding upon the content of the job description, but where possible and relevant will take into account the views of the post holder.


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Selection Methods We follow a structured process to ensure our recruitment process is fair and consistent. Based

on the quality of the applications we may choose to do a telephone screening initially should your

application be shortlisted.

Our final selection process will involve a panel interview and/or other assessments to give you an

opportunity demonstrate your suitability for this role. You may also be expected to complete

work based simulation exercises and a personality profile either online or onsite.


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Employee Benefits

There is a friendly and collaborative atmosphere at Culham. Ideas and results are openly shared at weekly MAST and JET physics meetings and Culham colloquia give staff an opportunity to hear from external scientific speakers – both from the international fusion community and the wider scientific world.

Salary

Starting pay on appointment will normally be the minimum of the range advertised. A salary

higher than the minimum may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Note: The salary range advertised may consist of a scarcity allowance.

Annual Leave

The Annual Leave entitlement for employees is 25 days (pro rata for part-time employees) rising to 28 days after five years of service and then to 30 days after ten years of service. In addition employees are entitled to 10.5 holidays (including bank holidays and privilege days). Employees work a revised working week to cover the days that fall between Christmas and New Year when the site is closed. This means that no annual leave needs to be saved to cover these days. Employees are able to carry over up to ten days annual leave to the next leave year, if they wish. There is also the opportunity to accrue time off in lieu of extra work carried out as overtime, instead of receiving a payment, subject to line manager's discretion.


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Pensions

The CPS final salary pension scheme is available to employees who choose to join before 1st April 2017. After this date, the Civil Service Pension career average scheme called ALPHA will be available. Employees who choose to join the scheme will be required to contribute a percentage of their salary each month. If you would like further information regarding pensions please contact the HR Department.

Bonus scheme

Employees are normally entitled to bonus payments depending on UKAEA performance in any given financial year. Milestones are set up in a way so that employees' performance has influence on UKAEA performance in a given area. Bonus payments are paid on an annual basis as a percentage of salary (maximum 7%).

UKAEA Discounts

UKAEA Discounts is a free to use benefit, paid for by UKAEA, and offers numerous opportunities to regularly save money on normal everyday shopping. It has the potential to save you many £10s or even £100s per year. Click here for more information.

Relocation

New entrants who are required to move their home to take up a permanent appointment may qualify to be given some assistance towards their removal expenses. This is subject to an HMRC ceiling of £8,000.

Flexible working

All roles at UKAEA are open to job sharing unless otherwise stated.

Part-time working

UKAEA is proud to promote working part-time to enable employees to maintain a healthy life-work balance. Depending on the business needs, this can range from shortened days to allow for ‘the school run' to shortened weeks to fit with life style choices and most ports in between.

Emergency family leave (Time off for dependants)

At discretion a member of staff can request time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. This leave is to allow employees to deal with unexpected or sudden problems and to make longer term arrangements as necessary. There is no qualifying period necessary for this leave and depending on circumstances some of the time off may qualify to be paid.

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http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/assets/Documents/Other/UKAEA-Discounts.pdf


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Maternity leave

Where an employee qualifies for contractual maternity pay (at least one year's effective service), she will receive her normal rate of pay during the 26 week ordinary maternity leave period.

Following this the first 13 weeks of additional maternity leave will be paid at the appropriate statutory rate of SMP. The remaining 13 weeks of additional maternity leave will be unpaid.

Adoption leave and Paternity leave schemes are also offered.

Childcare vouchers

Employees can elect to purchase childcare vouchers through a salary sacrifice scheme. The vouchers can be used to pay for most types of childcare, including nurseries, childminders, before and after school clubs and holiday schemes. UKAEA Culham hosts one of the popular Toddlercare nurseries (within 50 metres of the main entrance). Toddlercare recently achieved an excellent rating from Ofsted.

Learning and development

UKAEA is committed to developing all members of staff by offering a wide range of programmes and support to suit their individual career aspiration. In engineering these range from an advanced apprenticeship scheme certified by IMechE and IET, a graduate scheme also certified by IMechE and IET with IOP pending, we are similarly accredited for our Continuous Professional Development Schemes and are members of the IET Power Academy. In the physics field we offer PhD and MSc opportunities and Culham Research Fellowships. In addition to the structured development schemes we also provide individual development as needed by the business and career trajectories.

Mentoring scheme

To help support its staff through their careers and professional development UKAEA have introduced a mentoring programme. Mentoring is a relationship in which one person, the mentor, helps another, the mentee, to discover more about themselves, their potential and capability. It can assist an individual by enabling them to seek guidance, support, help and feedback. The mentoring programme is a formal process which will be regularly reviewed and monitored. It recognises that individuals have different goals and aspirations and it endeavours to meet the individual's requirements and needs as well as those of UKAEA.

Culture

UKAEA has a strategy which concerns nurturing a culture that promotes research, innovation and

leading edge technological excellence. UKAEA wants its staff to seek out and respond flexibly to

new opportunities and problems with a ‘can do ’attitude and a commercial / pragmatic mind-set.

To promote this culture, UKAEA is committed to investing in its people. We strive to create a

working environment where people are given challenging and interesting work, frequently

required to think innovatively about new problems. We seek to create an environment where

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http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/PhD.aspx

http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Fellowships.aspx


Application Pack

people receive regular constructive feedback and have many opportunities to learn and develop

including working with international, multidisciplinary teams. The organisation is growing, which

provides us with the opportunity to recruit employees with the attributes that we need to take us

forward and ensure a successful future for the organisation.

There are six enabling themes on which the organisation has based its culture: Passion,

Innovation, Accountability, Business-Minded, Leadership and Delivery. Each of these is built into

the organisation’s internal behavioural and management competencies, and assists the

organisation in moving its people to be more agile and better prepared to take full advantage of

future opportunities.

Cycle to Work Scheme

The scheme provides employees with the opportunity to purchase a new bike through a salary sacrifice scheme. Employees are entitled to borrow up to £1,000 for a bike and accessories.

Parking facilities

Excellent parking facilities are available across the site. Parking spaces are located close to offices and are free of charge. The site is monitored 24h/7.

Health and wellbeing

Research has shown that healthy and happy staff contribute more to their employer as well as the nation as a whole. As part of our health and wellbeing programme the UKAEA provide a range of free benefits helping to further improve your health and wellbeing. There is an on-site Occupational Health service. There is also an Employee Assistance Programme which is a welfare initiative, available to all staff, by telephone, giving support and counselling, covering a wide variety of subject areas, such as financial, personal, work-related and legal.

Eating and drinking

At UKAEA, catering outlets such as shops, a sandwich bar and a restaurant have a great range of food and drinks for staff to choose from throughout the day. The majority of the food is made in-house.

There is also a Costa Coffee outlet offering fresh coffee and cakes.

Social clubs and events


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There is a social club (CSSA) which organises discounted theatre trips to various London theatres for its members, as well as supporting a wide range of clubs and societies. In addition CSSA organises a range of events on site such as Christmas parties for kids, bonfire nights and others events. This winter, colleagues have been challenged to a Winter Triathlon which includes a pub-style quiz, a skittles tournament and traditional Aunt Sally game. Last year the senior management team issued a Softball Challenge; 23 teams responded playing in a league and the knockout stages. The final was played at a CCFE Fun Day where 1,100 employees, contractors and their families enjoyed a wide range of free events, music and a traditional hog roast.

Athena Swan

UKAEA is delighted to have been awarded the Athena SWAN

bronze award which recognises the commitment of advancing the

careers of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and

Medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and

research.


How to Apply

Apply online

Visit http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Jobs.aspx to apply via our online portal. You will need to complete

an online application form. You will also be prompted to upload an updated CV and a cover letter.

Note: You may be asked to answer competency related questions. Please type your response in

Word and then copy & paste on to the online application form. The system may time out and

you are unable to save your responses and come back later. However, the rest of the application

can be completed at your convenience and you can save your responses for review at a later

stage but before final submission.

Help and Assistance For assistance or further information please email our recruitment team at [email protected]

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large or sufficient numbers

of applications are received.

http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Jobs.aspx

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