Candidate Information Brochure
Head of Technical Services (School of Life Sciences)
Introduction from the Associate Director of Technical Operations
Contents
• Introduction from the Associate Director of Technical Operation • • About Sussex
The University of Sussex is a remarkable institution. The distinctive ethos on which it was established more than 60 years ago is still very much at the heart of the University. Sussex is a leading research-intensive university, highly ranked in the UK and world league tables, and recognised internationally for its research, teaching and outreach. The first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in 1961, the University now has over 18,125 students and more than 2,000 staff members. The Life Sciences department boasts a diverse array of high impact research departments and leading teaching activities. Technical Services is instrumental in supporting and enabling such activity, with Life Sciences boasting the largest cohort of core, specialist, teaching and research technicians at the University of Sussex. The type of facilities across the school includes central stores, Mass Spectrometry, NMR, Cryo-EM and light microscopy, to name a few., you will have oversight of all technical aspects within the school. If successful, you will lead this amazing team of dedicated and skilled technicians, supported by senior technical managers within your team. You will play a vital role in the school’s research and teaching operations and strategy. Furthermore, as my deputy, you will help build upon the transformative work with the recent technician review and Technician Commitment, making real positive change for technicians at the University. You will also join a team of senior technical managers working across campus, helping to foster a professional, effective and flexible technical service.
This is an opportunity to progress your career to the next level, in an institution and school at the forefront of active research, with a team that is committed to making sure the work of technicians is highlighted at all levels. I hope you will join me in helping shape an exemplar of technical services in HE, in the unique University of Sussex.
• The Sussex campus
• The role
• Person Specifications
• Working at the University of Sussex
• Brighton and the local area
• The appointment process and how to apply
Robert Fowler Associate Director of Technical Operations
About the University of Sussex
About the University of Sussex
Our lecturers deliver pro- grammes of study that inspire students to develop the skills that make their education count, and that give them the confidence to make their mark in their chosen field. Our staff conduct original re- search to explore the great questions of our age. Their find- ings impact policy and practice for businesses, NGOs and gov- ernments, ensuring that Sus- sex students are also at the forefront of knowledge in their subject. Creative thinking, pedagogic diversity, intellectual challenge and interdisciplinary have al- ways been fundamental to a Sussex education. The University’s goal is to de- liver teaching and learning pro- grammes that are informed by current research, are attrac- tive to students from all soci- oeconomic and cultural back- grounds, and which deliver skills for life. The University is committed to widening access for students from lower-income families, and awards a high number of scholarships and other types of financial support.
ther partner alone. • Professionalism, by uphold- ing freedom of academic en- quiry, undertaking activities in a responsible manner using robust, transparent processes and maintaining professional standards in the conduct of all academic and support activities. • Equality, diversity and in- clusion, by making appoint- ments and developing en- try routes to the University based on educational merit, and valuing the strengths derived fromcontributions to our mission by people from different backgrounds, traditions, cultures and per- spectives. • Service, in which members of the Sussex communi- ty seek to use their skills and talents to contribute to local, national and interna- tional communities and or- ganisations. Our Sussex 2025 vision reima- gines the pioneering spirit of the original purpose of our University but does so for new times and a new generation. Discover our vision at https://www.sussex.ac.uk/ strategy/
In pursuing our mission, we cel- ebrate the values of: • Excellence, through a com- mitment to delivering the highest standards of re- search, scholarship, teach- ing and learning, in order to provide a dynamic and stimulating environment for students and staff, and to maximise their social and economic contribution to societies. • Interdisciplinary, through tackling multidimensional problems, while maintaining a strong, broadly based set of disciplines across the arts and humanities, so- cial sciences, sciences and medicine engagement, by actively seeking an external and international approach to all our activities. • Challenge, in which all members of the Sussex community are prepared to explore creatively the sta- tus quo and alternatives, within the context of excel- lence and professionalism, and to seek to make posi- tive change in society. • Partnership, by developing sustained relationships that bring together comple- mentary skills and resourc- es to create mutual benefit and to deliver impact that cannot be achieved by ei-
Since our foundation in 1961, Sussex has valued – and encourages – a pioneering spirit. We’ve pushed for change, and demanded more, creating a better future for individuals and communities all over the world.
The School of Life Sciences
The School of Life Sciences has a mission state- ment to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes; to develop in- novative and diverse approaches to enhance hu- man health, technology and the environment. It undertakes research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of the Life Sciences, from Chemistry through a range of biological and med- ically-related areas to Conservation Biology. The breadth and depth of cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice requires a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliv- er excellence. Multidisciplinary is a key strength at Sussex, and the School of Life Sciences is part of two collab- orative cross-School funded Strategic Research Programmes: Sussex Neuroscience (SN) and the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP). Sussex Neuroscience brings together broad-ranging neuroscience approaches from the Schools of Life Sciences, Psychology, Engi- neering and Informatics, as well as the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. SSRP brings togeth- er Life Sciences, Global Studies and the Univer- sity of Sussex Business School to address the United Nations sustainable development goals. The School of Life Sciences is the largest in the University in terms of research activity, with an annual research income of around £13 million. The School has a teaching and research faculty of around 90, over 140 research staff, and an administrative team of around 20. The School is structured into five Departments led by a Head of Department. These are Biochemistry & Bio- medicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Evolution, Behaviour & Environ- ment and Chemistry, working closely with the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre. The Head of School Professor Sarah Guthrie leads the Head of School Executive, which in- cludes two Deputy Heads of School (one fo- cussed on research and enterprise, the other on education), the School Administrator and the Director of Technical Services. Wider School or- ganisation and administration is overseen by the School Management Committee, which includes the Heads of Departments and others in Direc- torship roles.
with opportunities for personal research experi- ence and use of modern technology to enhance learning. The School has a population of around 1500 undergraduates studying a range of sub- jects across the School’s expertise. For each degree we offer a 3-year BSc and a 4-year inte- grated Masters (MSci or MChem). We also offer a Life Sciences Foundation Year, which is ideally suited for students whose A-level (or equivalent) qualifications don’t meet the requirements for di- rect entry on to our BSc/MSci degrees. We have a population of around 85 postgraduate taught students undertaking MSc or MRes courses across our subject expertise. The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collabo- ration and courage. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (with representation on
the School Management Committee) promotes and encourages our values across the School, championing initiatives that meet the Universi- ty’s goals of being Equal, Diverse, Accessible and Flexible. We currently hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award and have a BAME Awarding Gap Committee who closely liaise with the University’s Race Equal- ity Charter committee. The School also hosts a wellbeing room and a multi-faith prayer room within its estate and the University supports the Trans Rights are Human Rights UK initiative. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s business and aim to provide a friend- ly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences
Our School aims to develop scientists that are able to connect with global issues and develop innovative solutions to the challenges that face the planet. We therefore work to ensure that our research positively impacts our local commu- nity, the economy and society as a whole. We have and continue to develop relationships with business, policy and community partners rang- ing from local SMEs to large scale multinational organisations. Academics, researchers, and stu- dents at all levels are encouraged to engage with non-academic partners through activities such as technology and skills sharing, licencing IP, contract research or consultancy, working close- ly with colleagues in the Sussex Innovations and Business Partnership team. In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally ex- cellent. In both areas, 100% of our Impact cas- es were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that our research has diverse impact that includes enabling and en- hancing diagnosis of cancer and rare genetic dis- eases, using novel chemical methods to produce new medicines, saving endangered species, in- fluencing policy and practice in pesticide use to protect bees and establishing conservation, eco- nomic and health initiatives in Papua New Guin- ea and Ecuador. Our vibrant post-graduate research community is made up of around 130 PhD students who are key to our success, undertaking cutting-edge research across all our areas of interest in the Life Sciences. We are part of a number of cross- School and multi-partner PhD programmes: the Sussex Neuroscience PhD programme, 2 Lever- hulme-funded Doctoral Scholarship programmes (Sensation and Perception to Awareness and Biomimetic Embodied AI), the UKRI funded UK Food Systems Centre for Doctoral Training and the BBSRC South Coast Biosciences (SoCoBio) Doctoral Training Partnership. The School’s teaching is firmly based on our re- search excellence and offers students an intel- lectually stimulating and supportive experience,
The Role
development of all technical staff and engagement of the University with national initiatives linked to the Technician Commitment, Apprenticeship Schemes etc. • Deputise for the Associate Director as and when required • Working closely with the Associate Director, ensure there are effective and appropriate systems in place for the management of H&S at a local level within the Life Sciences and Health technical group. • Support the Associate Director in delivery of any changes required to optimise the core technical support services within the Life and Health Sciences Group, in support of teaching and research. • Play a leading role in planning, and the local management of, the relocation of staff and equipment for plans associated with the Education and Research Investment Fund • Ensure the School achieves VFM for all procurement of equipment and consumables linked to the core business activities of teaching and research. • Ensure effective management of all budgets and strategic financial planning, with regard to all aspects of the core technical support service within the School. • Responsible for ensuring there are appropriate and robust IT systems/programmes in place to support core technical systems (e.g. freezer monitoring, stores packages, asset management, practical teaching sessions) SPECIFIC DUTIES 1. Management of School Technical Staff • Working closely with the Associate Director, lead, manage, support and develop a flexible team of technical staff within the Life and Health Sciences technical group who support all aspects of teaching and research. Responsible for recruitment, probation, mentoring, training, appraisal, performance review and staff development. • Demonstrate strong and positive leadership to all staff within the School, setting and ensuring delivery of high standards of work • Ensure that all technical staff are properly trained and have personal development plans and that training and appraisal records are up-to-date. • Manage the day-to-day operations of the
Department: Technical Services
Section/Unit/School: School of Life Sciences – Life and Health Sciences Technical Group
Location: School of Life Sciences
Grade: G9
Responsible to: The Associate Director of Technical Operations, and to ensure an effective partnership between the academic and the professional services, there will be a “dotted reporting line” to the Head of School of Life Sciences. Responsible for: Professional lead for all technical staff within the Life and Health Sciences Technical Group, and day-to-day line management of 8 staff (7 at G8 and 1 at G7) who, in turn, manage all core funded Technical staff (c. 40 FTE) across the Life and Health Sciences Technical Group, alongside responsibility for managing a budget of c. £1.5M comprising pay and non-pay budgets in the School of Life Sciences. Key working relationships: Associate Director of Technical Operations; Head of School; Deputy Heads of School; Technical and Academic staff, including Principal Investigators, Heads of Professional Service, School Management Team; Health & Safety staff; Sussex Estates and Facilities, Finance and Procurement. MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND OVERALL AIMS: • Provide leadership, shape and deliver a high- quality technical support service to meet the teaching and research objectives of the Life and Health Sciences Group. To include overarching responsibility for some School Technical Hub facilities. • Working closely with the Associate Director, ensure that the School is at the forefront of sector best practice in its technical services provision and functions. • In conjunction with the Head of School and Associate Director, keep under review the School’s technical services frameworks to ensure they are fit for purpose and compliant with regulations. • Support the Associate Director in the
The role of Head of Technical Services
Main Purpose of Job
This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated, ambitious, experienced, hard- working individual to advance their career and move into a Head of Technical Services position. Supporting the Associate Director of Technical Operations, you will use your extensive technical management experience to provide strong leadership and strategic direction of the largest cohort of technicians in the University, within the Life and Health Sciences Technical Group. You will manage the technical services teams in your area, a highly dedicated and skilled group of staff. You will ensure the delivery of high quality, consistent and flexible support to research, teaching and outreach activities across the Life and Health Science Schools. This challenging and varied role will require you to have a solid knowledge of technical management in life and health sciences, be able to think strategically without losing sight of the details, be highly organised with a positive strategic focus. The role will call for change and project management experience, higher interpersonal skills, and a dedication to providing excellent customer service and dedication to compliance and health & safety. You will be expected to be involved with key institutional initiatives such as the Technician Commitment and infrastructure/building projects such as the Life Sciences Estates Project.
technical services, ensuring that service delivery is fit for purpose and meets the business needs of the School • Develop close working relationships with Associate Director, academic and professional services staff to obtain feedback and facilitate effective service delivery. 2. Health and Safety • Working with Associate Director and senior staff in the School and University to review the approach to health and safety at a local level, in order to achieve the highest standards of performance, and compliance with all relevant legislation and licensing requirements; for example Radiation Protection and the Human Tissue Authority, that apply to the Life and Health Sciences technical group. • Ensure that the highest standard of health and safety performance and compliance is maintained in areas of technical service responsibility. • Ensure environmental impact of new equipment and core business activities is effectively considered and managed. 3. Financial and resource management • In collaboration with Associate Director, represent schools in the Life and Health Sciences technical group interests for any building and/or refurbishment projects with a laboratory or technical nature • Work closely with Procurement manage the procurement of significant equipment purchases and ensure full compliance with current Financial Rules and Regulations. • Ensure there is a robust model in place for effective costing, pricing, recharging and budget management of laboratory activities, including existing and future Technology Hub facilities. 4. Procurement and Maintenance of Equipment • Support senior technical staff to ensure procurement of new equipment for teaching labs is managed effectively. • Ensure the Life and Health Sciences technical group achieves best value for money for all aspects of procurement. • Ensure that assets are properly registered and maintained. • Establish and maintain effective systems for the review and disposal of redundant
equipment and chemicals
5. Buildings and space planning • Play a key part in preparing for and managing space across the Schools in the Life and Health Sciences technical group. • Lead on, and manage, the effective use of Life Science School premises and space. Represent the interests of the Life Science School in negotiations with incoming / outgoing members of Faculty with regard to space, equipment and transfer of chemicals/ Biological materials etc. between institutions. Support and direct Senior Technical Managers in managing the space of other schools in the Life and Health Sciences technical group. • Working closely with the Associate Director and Estates/third party providers, ensure that the buildings and fabric occupied by the School are kept in a good state of repair and that any repairs and modifications are carried out in a timely and satisfactory manner. • Make a significant contribution to the forward planning needs of the Life Science School including support for new degrees courses and technical support for developing areas of research. • Following agreement with University Estates, ensure that University regulations are being met when contractors are engaged to work in the School on maintenance or other activities. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS (INDICATIVE LIST) • Life Science School Management Group Life Science School Executive Group University Safety Committee • Life Science School Health, Safety and Environment Groups Life Science School Research Strategy Groups • University Ethics Committee (member and reviewer) • Other Life and Health Science School group SMT meetings, when required Others to be determined such as project boards/work streams. Other Duties Any other duties as determined by the Associate Director commensurate with the grade of the post and experience/expertise of the post holder. The post holder will act as the formal deputy for Associate Director as and when required.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential: • A degree in a science subject or equivalent professional qualification (RSciTec) or experience in similar role • At least 5 years’ experience leading a diverse technical team, preferably within the HE/FE sec- tor
Desirable: • An appropriate professional safety qualification e.g. General NEBOSH certificate or equivalent
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential: • An articulate and confident communicator, with strong interpersonal skills • Ability to lead and manage in a complex scientific technical context • Ability to provide visible and supportive leadership, empowering, enabling, motivating and devel- oping employees in a range of roles • An inclusive team worker who can foster partnerships, work collaboratively across areas and achieve performance and results through others • Ability to develop and maintain relationships within the School, University and external partners • Personally committed to the delivery of high-quality, results based services
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Essential: • Substantial knowledge of scientific technical services compliance and regulations • Successful experience of managing a technical services provision
• Experience of change management in a relevant context • Highly developed management skills in a relevant context • Health and safety management • Experience of space and resources management Desirable: • Experience of project management • Will be a member of a relevant professional body, IST for example.
Working at Sussex
Working at Sussex
SUSSEX CENTRE FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES
CHI LDCARE
There is a nursery on campus for children aged three months to five years, operated by The Cooperative Childcare. It is open daily from7.30am–6.30pm.
The Sussex Centre for Language Studies provides a range of courses throughout the calendar year in English Language and Modern Languages that are open to staff as well as students. You can also use the Language Learning Centre to study over 50 world languages.
There are a range of staff benefits at Sussex, including generous annual leave entitlement and pension schemes, access to world-class resources, discounted gym and sports memberships, interest-free season ticket loan and staff activities throughout the year.
L IBRARY
Library facilities are available to all members of staff. The Library is open around the clock during term time. The Library’s special collections, now housed at The Keep, include the papers of Rudyard Kipling, the New Statesman Archive, Virginia Woolf’s Monks House Papers, many of Lord Richard Attenborough’s scripts and papers, and the Mass Observation Archive.
CATERING AND CONFERENCES
Sussexfood offers extensive catering facilities in Bramber House as well as cafés across campus. There are also conference and hospitality services. You can also use the Students’ Union bars and shop.
SUSSEX LECTURES
RETAI L
All staff are welcome to attend professorial lectures by Sussex academics and other talks by visiting lecturers and speakers.
There is a supermarket and post office, the Students’ Union shop, a pharmacy and a bank on campus. In term time, there is also a weekly outdoor market.
ATTENBOROUGH CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
SPORT
Sports facilities include sports halls, fitness rooms, a dance studio, squash courts and outdoor pitches. There is an extensive drop- in group exercise and courses programme including yoga, dance, Pilates, trapeze, circuit training and aerobics. Sussexsport holds an annual boundary walk and boundary run for staff and students around the Sussex campus. It also offers children’s birthday and sports parties from age two upwards and a full programme of sports camps and activities in the school holidays for children aged five–16 years.
The Attenborough Centre is a state-of-the-art performance and display space that reopened in 2016 after extensive refurbishment. The Attenborough Centre has a growing programme of performances and events and is a Brighton Festival venue.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The University of Sussex has more than 18,500 students, of whom 4,500 are postgraduates.
Brighton and the local area
Brighton and the local area
THE UNIVERSITY’S LOCATION
BRIGHTON AND THE WIDER REGION
The University campus is located at Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove, and is just 55 miles (90 km) from London. Frequent trains from central London take as little as 50 minutes to Brighton & Hove, with a quick nine-minute connection to Falmer to reach campus. London Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes from Brighton, and London Heathrow is just over an hour’s drive away.
The city of Brighton & Hove has much to offer students, and also offers a quality of life for young families that is hard to match. As well as a fabulous variety of shops, restaurants and pubs, the city also has a range of good schools and a very relaxed and tolerant atmosphere. Brighton has a truly diverse cultural scene with a wealth of theatres, cinemas and galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental fringe productions staged throughout the year, and with the famous Brighton Festival every May, there is plenty on offer. The historic market town of Lewes is also close to campus, and many members of staff choose to live there because of its wide choice of housing and excellent schools.
The appointment process and how to apply
The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG). To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisor Sian Gardiner (sian. gardiner@mrgpeople.co.uk)
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The University values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of society. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The University aims to ensure that job applicants and members of staff are treated solely on the basis of abilities and potential, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, trade union membership or non-membership, socioeconomic background or any other inappropriate distinction. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this policy, it is necessary to collect information from all applicants on factors which relate to equal opportunity in employment and applicants are therefore asked to submit a completed version of the enclosed form alongside their CV and letter of application. The information so provided will be handled in strictest confidence and will only be used for statistical monitoring purposes.
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than four pages) and a covering letter (of not more than two pages). Applications should be sent to Sian Gardiner
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be subject to: - Confirmation of the right to work within the UK - Higher level qualifications - Satisfactory health clearance and satisfactory references.
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