Job Description

The role of Senior Technician (Microbiology) is key to ensuring that students within SSEE can receive the best student experience possible in the degree programmes that encompass microbiology as well as supporting students from other degree programmes where required. The successful candidate will provide positive, proactive support and have demonstrable skills and ability to ensure the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of a range of scientific instrumentation and processes. The role will encompass oversight of microbiology equipment and related infrastructure, the provision of taught laboratory classes, and the support of project and research activity. The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining high standards of laboratory safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. As part of a collaborative team, the role holder will have their own area of responsibility but will also be expected to be familiar with, and provide support across, other areas to ensure a seamless and efficient service.

Key Responsibilities

Demonstration - Demonstrates the use of specialist equipment or techniques to students and staff. Demonstration can be in a formal setting, such as a taught practical lesson, or informal, like drop-in sessions. Creation of learning content relating to the demonstration may be needed to support and aid learning. Applies good practice in learning content delivery. Academic knowledge - Develop Knowledge of the relevant academic area. Contributes academically to the development and or delivery of research/teaching/enterprise activities. Able to evaluate the benefits and costs of different approaches. Safety and incident management - Directs assessments of specialist space health and safety. Participates in assessments of specialist health and safety. Applies health and safety information and ensures compliance. Reviews specialist space health and safety at regular time points. Prioritises and diagnoses incidents according to university procedures. Investigates causes of incidents and seeks resolution. Escalates unresolved incidents. Facilitates recovery, following resolution of incidents. Documents and closes resolved incidents according to university procedures.

About the School or About the Department

The University's School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SSEE) is a large multi-disciplinary School comprising around 400 staff, including around 50 highly skilled technicians and approximately 4500 students studying on a range of taught and research programmes at BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, MPhil and PhD level. SSEE embraces subjects as diverse as Zoology, Parasitology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography, Biomedical Science


The university could not deliver high quality research, teaching and knowledge transfer without the work of our skilled technical staff at all levels of the institution, and we aim to ensure the contribution technicians make is fully recognised. The University of Salford is a signatory of the national Technician Commitment, which aims to ensure the key themes of visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability are developed for technicians working in higher education and research. We aim to do this by pledging action against the themes, ensuring technician roles are viewed as professional careers, developing potential career pathways and encouraging career development opportunities.

What's in it for you?

Competitive salary

- and excellent pension scheme

An impressive 32 days leave

- plus bank holidays, additional time off at Christmas and the opportunity to buy even more!

Flexible working

- we support a culture of flexible and agile working to help you find the right balance *

Professional development

- we offer a comprehensive package of training and development opportunities to help you achieve your full potential