View Vacancy -- Laboratory Services Officer LMS - 1209

The LMS is an Institute funded by the MRC and part of the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College. We are located on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus in West London (W12). The institute has first-class facilities and provides investigators from clinical and basic science backgrounds with the opportunity to pursue innovative, multidisciplinary research within the excellence of Imperial College. For more information, visit https://lms.mrc.ac.uk

Overall Purpose:

The post holder will be a key member of the Laboratory Services team, responsible for the delivery of the laboratory support function, including maintenance of scientific and laboratory based equipment of the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences/ Imperial College Institute of Clinical Sciences. The post holder will have particular responsibility for management of preventive and reactive equipment maintenance, including scheduling and management of third party contractors.

Main Duties / Key Responsibilities:

Manage directly or via third parties the following services, regularly reviewing options and ensuring cost effectiveness:

• Respond to maintenance requests and reports of laboratory equipment breakdown
• Take responsibility for day to day scheduling and on site management of third party contractors with respect to preventative and reactive maintenance of scientific equipment;
• Maintain the equipment service reports recording system and accurate records of all service engineer visits
• Management of laboratory based water purification systems
• Manage the continuous supply of laboratory gases, dry ice and liquid nitrogen
• Arrange statutory testing of laboratory equipment e.g. fume cupboards, biological safety cabinets, pressure systems and laboratory and office portable electrical appliances (PAT), and pipette servicing, including scheduling and record keeping
• Take operational responsibility for asset and inventory management systems including tagging, record updates, physical asset verification and annual asset register reconciliation
• Assist internal and external auditors regarding queries on fixed assets and inventory items
• Requesting quotes, placing orders, invoice matching and creation of asset registration forms for submission to the MRC
• Assist if necessary in management of the decontamination and disposal of redundant laboratory equipment, in line with MRC and ICL asset disposal policies, in conjunction with the Estates and Facilities Team
• With respect to equipment and laboratory services, provide cover for the Laboratory Services Manager when necessary.
• Assist the estates officer with transporting of liquid Nitrogen tanks for filling, twice per week
• Assist estates Officer with occasional furniture reconfiguration in the seminar room
• Provide absence cover for distribution of post and deliveries

Any other duties as directed by the Laboratory Services Manager and the Head of Laboratory Services, Health & Safety and commensurate with the grade.

Working relationships:

 Developing and maintaining relationships with key external suppliers of relevant services, particularly those who provide laboratory supplies and equipment maintenance services.

 Maintain strong relationships with LMS Facility Managers, Group Heads and equipment users to assist in the identification, purchase, installation and maintenance of equipment.

Collaborate with the Estates and Facilities Team to ensure equipment installations are planned and carried out successfully, and liquid Nitrogen is readily available.

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application form):

Essential:

• A-levels in a laboratory-based science subject

Desirable:

• A good honours degree or equivalent in a laboratory-based science subject

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview):

Essential:

• Experience in planning & scheduling service and goods delivery.
• Experience of contractor management

Desirable:

• Experience of managing complex scientific equipment within the healthcare, life sciences or research sectors
• Experience of working in a research laboratory, preferably in biological sciences
• Experience with Oracle purchasing systems and asset management

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview):

 Essential:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage with people at all levels within the London Institute of Medical Sciences and with 3rd parties
• Good organisational and problem solving skills
• Able to work without supervision with respect to equipment maintenance and asset management
• Capable of manual handling tasks, to move liquid Nitrogen tanks, and seminar room furniture

 Desirable:

• Knowledge and understanding of the scientific research environment and current pressures on research science

Additional information:

Please upload your CV, along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this post (showing evidence against the requirements as per the Job Description and Person Specification). Please quote reference number LMS - 1209.