Laboratory Manager for Education

Reports to: Education Manager

This is a full time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

SUMMARY

One of the Francis Crick institute’s strategic priorities is to engage and inspire the public through public events and exhibitions, education outreach (EO), and community engagement programmes, backed by a body of active research scientists who have the skills, desire and opportunity to engage people in their work. 

The role of the Laboratory Manager for Education is to ensure the smooth running of the education spaces along with logistically supporting the EO programme and providing an approachable face of the EO programme for our audiences and collaborators.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

These include but are not limited to:

Managing the Weston Discovery Lab (WDL; our onside lab for school visits)

• Support the efficient day to day running of the WDL, providing assistance and advice to ensure that all activities within the lab comply with Crick policies.
• Managing the WDL space; acting as point of contact for enquiries, ensuring equipment is used safely.
• Ensuring the WDL and prep room are compliant with all safety requirements and regulations; checking for damage, arranging repairs and ensuring tidiness.
• Writing and maintaining SOPs for the use of the WDL.
• Identifying and deploying ways of increasing efficiency in the EO programme.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with other Crick teams including: Facilities Glasswash, Housekeeping; Lab Managers; Logistics; Reception; Safety, Health & Sustainability; Security and Waste Management. Overseeing the cleaning and waste disposal procedures and processes and taking appropriate remedial action when required, including training laboratory operations staff who require it.

Procurement and Budget assisting

• Assist the budget holder in overseeing team spend and budgeting appropriately.
• Hold team credit card; ensure team members have secure access to the CC, and use it complying with Crick’s CC policy; verify team CC spend on MiVision in a timely manner including managing the Amazon business account.
• Monitor and ensure adequate levels of consumables for EO programme, placing orders through Workday for the team as required and tracking team expenditure.
• Point of contact for bespoke EO suppliers (negotiate product discounts; arranges IR35 checks with HR and contracts with service providers using templates from Legal; raise POs, check and chase invoices and payments).
• Manage package arrivals and distribution and proactively liaise with suppliers on missing/mis-directed/back-ordered items.

Activity preps

• Contributing technical scientific knowledge to help in the development of practical science activities for the education programme.
• Preparing molecular biology reagents for genetic engineering workshops.
• Preparing and maintain equipment and reagents for use in WDL and dispatch to schools.
• Setting up and down equipment used during school visits.

Assets

• Maintain a database of assets, including Crick barcodes and location.
• Track, maintain and replenish equipment/consumables required for delivery and development of the EO programme.
• Produce, review/update and distribute relevant SOPs to internal and external users to ensure effective and efficient operation of the WDL and other assets.

Health, Safety, Sustainability and Security

• Have responsibility for relevant risk assessments, managing their regular review and sharing with appropriate stakeholders. Providing training where necessary.
• Act as the point of contact for SHS matters including arranging regular safety checks, ensuring PPE is well stocked, preparing personal evacuation plans for visitors as required and ensuring alarms are regularly checked.
• Oversee WDL access and request authorization and rescinding of ID card access to the lab.

Manage equipment for loan activities.

• Manage the Camden school equipment loan programme operating an efficient booking, return and inventory system, writing and maintaining SOPs, risk assessments and accompanying guidance.
• Manage loans to staff:
  • Keep equipment for staff loans in good order and operate an efficient booking, return and inventorying system for loans.
  • Provide support to a wide-range of staff in how to safely and effectively utilize the kits.  
• Liaise with Quadrant Managers to identify surplus equipment and write safety and transfer documentation.

Managing the Discovery Zone at Regent High School, acting as the main point of contact and providing logistical support for Crick events run in the Zone.

Assisting with audience visits to the WDL

• Helping to manage the arrival and departure of school children, being a welcoming and approachable face of the Crick’s education programme.
• Ensure all class visits are on Condeco with clear instructions to logistics.
• Assist external contractors with working in the WDL.
• Help lead the evacuation of the class in the event of an emergency; take control of managing the visitors in the event of the presenter becoming incapacitated. 

KEY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

The post holder should work in a way that is Bold, Open and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

• Educated to degree level, or equivalent, in a science discipline and/or have extensive laboratory management experience.
• Budget management experience, managing both consumable and equipment budgets.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, able to deal confidently and diplomatically with a range of staff at all levels, and with young people aged 5-18.
• An understanding of the strategic management and operational issues within a research institute.
• Possess a broad understanding and experience of scientific procedures and specialised equipment and its requirements in a research institute. This must include an excellent working knowledge, and ability to trouble-shoot the techniques used for production of recombinant DNA (PCR, restriction digest, gel electrophoresis).
• Sound knowledge of relevant health and safety issues including biological and chemical safety. Experience of carrying out risk-assessments.
• A good organiser with the ability to work independently and flexibly with minimal supervision, ability to prioritise own work using own initiative and being proactive and self-motivated, yet also a good team member.
• Good Laboratory Practice experience preferably with some administrative responsibilities.
• Proven experience in dealing with representatives from scientific companies and contractors and negotiation with suppliers.
• Advanced Microsoft Office IT skills.
• Willingness to attend and complete Fire Extinguisher training and regular refreshers.
• The Crick is committed to safeguarding children and young people and as such the post will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• The role involves some manual handling which includes moving equipment within and between floors so the post-holder should therefore be capable of lifting and carrying boxes up several flights of stairs;

Desirable:

• An interest in working with young people aged 5-18, to help them develop their skills in scientific enquiry and appreciate the range of STEM careers available.