Atom Probe Tomography Technician
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
To provide senior technical leadership of a new Atom Probe Tomography (APT) service, supporting internal and external users including academics, post-graduate and undergraduate students and industrial collaborators. Candidates should have specialist technical expertise in the operation of APT systems and/or the production of samples using focused ion beam techniques. The role includes responsibility for the planning and safe operation of the facility, in order to optimise the outputs and user experience, aligned with College research strategies.
Main duties & responsibilities
1. Be responsible for all aspects of the new Space Nanomaterials Atom Probe (SNAP) facility, including contributing to the strategic direction of research, provision of specialist advice and training to service users, management of resources and responsibility for health and safety.
2. Undertake specialist technical aspects of the SNAP facility, including taking a leading role in the planning and implementation 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 Focused Ion Beam systems and their standard operating procedures and play an active part in the CoSE Instrumentation Service team
3. 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.
4. Manage aspects of SNAP 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.
5. Develop and enhance the research profile and reputation of the University, College and Technical Services through contributing to and leading publications of international quality in high profile/high quality journals, contribution to and delivery of the presentation of work at international and national conferences and maximising the research impact in terms of the economic/societal benefit.
6. Keep up to date with developments in both Atom Probe Tomography and Focused Ion Beam technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to SNAP research goals is optimised. Utilise specialist knowledge to contribute to overall research strategy.
7. 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 in line with FAIR data principles.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider 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/ and undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Head of Service/School.
11. 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.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential:
A1. 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.
A2. Significant breadth or depth of specialist technical knowledge, ideally recognised as an expert in the APT discipline.
A3. Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.
A4. Knowledge of working practices and professional guidelines relevant to the delivery of technical service.
Skills
Essential:
C1. Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex and/or high-volume datasets.
C2. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret complex technical requirements of the SNAP facility and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.
C3. Excellent teamworking and people management skills, with an ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders for effective project management.
C4. Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.
Experience
Essential:
E1. Significant relevant work experience within a similar research and teaching services environment, including evidence of supporting an Atom Probe Tomography service, user training, contributing to high quality research outputs and continued professional development.
E2. Experience of contributing to the development of a research/teaching services strategy, planning resource allocation and achieving high-quality research/teaching outputs.
E3. 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.
E4. Experience of preparing analysis and presentation of data to publication standard.
E5. Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research/teaching goals within set timescales.
Desirable:
F1 Experience in focused ion beam sample preparation techniques
Campus development plan
Our Vision
Over the next 10 years, the major investment will expand our campus footprint by 25%, creating a new urban quarter with the University at the heart of a revitalised west end. This is the largest development since the creation of the original campus in 1870.
This is a unique opportunity for a University to extend the boundaries of its historic core in a central city location. It will create:
- New learning and teaching facilities
- Refurbishment and repurposing of existing iconic buildings for specialist uses
- Identification and design of social spaces that support the student and community experience.
The expansion of our Gilmorehill campus into the 14 acre, former Western Infirmary site will transform the West End of Glasgow. The Masterplan for the site will incorporate:
- New learning and teaching facilities supporting our students and making sure they get the best in modern teaching and learning styles and approaches
- Creation of a Research Hub, housing large-scale multidisciplinary projects and incubator space for spin out collaborations with industry. This will encourage further innovation development
- New public cycle and pedestrian routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall
- Refurbishment of five listed buildings: The Chapel, the Outpatients building, the Macgregor building, the Tennent Institute and Anderson College
- Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes
- The state of the art Learning and Teaching Hub adjacent to the Boyd Orr building on University Avenue will be completed next year.
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 two guides 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
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 5 July 2026
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
Closing date: 5 July 2026
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
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
