School/Department

Grade

Salary Information

Contract Duration

Responsible to

Closing Date

Applications are invited for the above temporary, full-time post working in the College of Science and Engineering, Bangor University. The post will be primarily based with the Bangor Wetlands Group (BWG) within the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences.

The post holder will work as part of a technical team providing research technical support to students, staff and visitors in the Bangor Wetlands Group. They will assist students, staff and visitors in the use of experimental equipment (e.g. Gas Chromatograph, Ion Chromatograph, Wetland Hydroperiod Simulator) and key laboratory analysis techniques for soil and water chemistry and biogeochemical cycles. The post holder will help maintain research equipment and facilities and ensure a safe and effective work environment by providing training, undertaking safety testing and supporting the servicing of equipment. Basic data handling and analysis will be required using Excel and statistical software such as R.

Duties will also include collecting soil and water samples from various field locations around the UK. Such a role is physically demanding and will require regular working and staying away from Bangor.

Knowledge of saltmarsh ecosystems and their botanical composition is essential for this position.

Candidates should be educated to AS / A Level standard (or equivalent) and have previous experience of technical support of laboratory and field-based research. We are looking for computer literate candidates who are technically skilled with detailed knowledge of a variety of soil and aquatic analytical techniques. The ideal candidate will be able to work equally well alone and under direction.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible and the post is available for a period of 12 months.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 22 October 2025
Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

The College of Science and Engineering at Bangor University is one of the leading centres in the UK for teaching and research in a range of science subjects. We aim to educate and train a new generation of scientists aware of societal and environmental needs in a world-class, research-led environment.

The College of Science and Engineering comprises of the Schools of Environmental and Natural Sciences; Ocean Sciences; and Computer Science & Engineering.

Research in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences is incredibly broad, spanning a wide range of environmental and biological sciences, from molecular biology to ecosystem processes and everything in between.

We work on a wide variety of systems both locally around North Wales, and also internationally, with collaborations across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Within Bangor we have research facilities offering state of the art molecular analysis, a research farm, a botanical garden and a number of animal facilities, including an aquarium, a pigeon loft, reptile and rodent facilities.

Our research is divided into seven research themes: Animal Physiology and Behaviour; Biotechnology; Biogeochemistry, Soils and Wetlands; Conservation, Evolution, Development and Molecular Biology; Geospatial Analysis and Terrestrial Ecology and Forestry.

The Project

The successful candidate will work with the Bangor Wetlands Group (BWG) on a variety of new and ongoing projects, especially those involving saltmarsh habitats.

Alongside its ongoing research into wetland science, restoration and creation the BWG is currently looking at the feasibility of using different wetland habitats to establish a market-based approach for removing nutrient pollution.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing technical support to the Bangor Wetlands Group to assist in the delivery of outputs.
• Servicing, testing and maintenance and operations of basic laboratory equipment including cleaning and replacing components.
• Assisting in the completion of risk/COSHH assessments for specific processes and pieces of equipment as directed.
• Providing technical support to other laboratory users.
• Undertaking calibration of research equipment.
• Maintaining the upkeep of research laboratories and facilities.
• Fieldwork within the UK i.e. the requirement to collect samples and data, including specialised botanical surveys of saltmarshes.
• Preparing soil and water samples for analysis.
• Analysing samples using various chromatographic techniques.
• Accurate research data entry into various spreadsheets and statistical packages..
• Maintaining records related to the projects and their organisation.
• Liaising with other Bangor University departments in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences and other schools such as Ocean Sciences, and external partners e.g. UK CEH, Crown Estate.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• To take responsibility for completing designated tasks.
• To attend team meetings as directed.
• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• 2 AS Levels or 1 A Level or NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject area (or equivalent experience).

Desirable

• NVQ level 4 in a relevant subject area.
• Full Technical Certificate, BTEC, HND / HNC.
• First aider trained.
• ECDL Certificate.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of providing technical support in a laboratory environment.
• Detailed knowledge of a variety of soil, aquatic and gaseous analytical techniques e.g. gas chromatography, ion chromatography, and edaphic extracellular enzyme activities.
• Ability to operate a Wetland Hydroperiod Simulator.
• Knowledge of health and safety issues relevant to laboratory and field situations.
• Experience of undertaking field-based research.
• Experience of collecting soil and water samples in a saltmarsh habitat.
• Knowledge of saltmarsh flora.

Desirable

• Experience of working with databases.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Proven proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel etc).
• Ability to contribute to teamwork.
• Good data handling and processing skills.
• Ability to prioritise own work and meet deadlines set by the line manager.
• Good communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
• Good organisational skills, record keeping and timekeeping.
• Ability to work under pressure on occasions.
• Full UK driving licence to enable the collection of soil and water samples from various field locations around the UK.

Desirable

• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.