Focused Ion Beam / Scanning Electron Microscope Specialist
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
To provide comprehensive management and senior technical leadership to Focused Ion Beam / Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB/SEM) users on behalf of the Materials & Condensed Matter Physics research group and Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre. Provide specialist technical expertise in operation of FIB/SEM instrumentation, particularly FIB sample preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy and Atom Probe Tomography and be responsible for the planning and safe operation of specialist resources to optimise outputs in line with the MCMP group and CoSE Instrumentation Services strategy.
Main duties & responsibilities
- Be responsible for all managerial aspects of the FIB/SEM instruments including contributing to the strategic direction of research, provision of specialist advice and training to service users, management of resources (including technical and operational staff) and responsibility for health and safety.
- Undertake specialist technical aspects of the FIB/SEM instruments, including taking a leading role in the planning and conduct of objectives in accordance with the research strategy. Identify and develop new and bespoke methods to optimise research outputs. Have a working knowledge of the operation of other MCMP equipment and MCMP group standard operating procedures. Play an active part in the CoSE Instrumentation Service team.
- Using detailed specialist knowledge, advise and train service users in all technical aspects of the research service. Where required, undertake supervision of undergraduate and/or post-graduate students and other members of staff to ensure research outcomes are optimised.
- Manage all aspects of the FIB/SEM operations including financial management, resource allocation, grant monitoring, tendering, purchases, ordering, and financial projections. Create, implement and regularly review Standard Operating Procedures for service users, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice.
- Develop and enhance the research profile and reputation of the University/College/School/Group/Service, where appropriate through contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/high quality journals, contribution to the presentation of work at international and national conferences and maximising the research impact in terms of the economic/societal benefit.
- Keep up to date with developments in FIB/SEM technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to MCMP research goals is optimised. Utilise specialist knowledge to contribute to overall research strategy.
- Document experimental outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data to publication standard. Maintain complex and/or high-volume databases and records, creating technical/progress reports and papers.
- Troubleshoot complex technical problems and undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems or anomalies, and present findings clearly to research/service group including proposals for action/mitigation and future action.
- Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research/teaching group/School and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.
- Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School/Group/Service and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/ undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Head of Service/School.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together and contribute to outreach activities.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent, (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar role.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential:
- Significant breadth or depth of specialist technical knowledge ideally recognised as an expert in the FIB/SEM discipline.
- Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.
- Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.
- Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex and/or high-volume datasets
- Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret complex technical requirements of a research/teaching group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.
- Excellent teamworking and people management skills, with ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders for effective project management.
- Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.
Experience
Essential:
- Significant relevant work experience within a similar research/teaching services environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.
- Experience of contributing to the development of a research/teaching services strategy, planning resource allocation and achieving high-quality research/teaching outputs.
- Experience of managing high value budgets, including knowledge of procurement and tendering processes to inform decision making, approving spends and monitoring expenditure on behalf of others.
- Experience of preparing analysis and presentation of data to publication standard.
- Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research/teaching goals within set timescales.
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is 11 May 2025.
Terms & Conditions
New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months. The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits.
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created a guide to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability