Laboratory Technician

The Science Directorate at the European Spallation Source Eric in Lund, Sweden, invites applications for a Laboratory Technician.

Description of main responsibilities

The person chosen for the job will be working closely with the leader of the chemistry laboratories planned for ESS. The job involves in the first stage mostly writing and documenting work procedures for the current laboratory with focus on safety. A very important aspect is the close collaboration with the ESS ESH group in developing the work procedures. A pro-active way of working and excellent communication skills are essential. In the second stage the work will shift towards the ESS owned labs and focus on setting up the labs and testing laboratory equipment as well as developing short instructions for equipment. When operations start at ESS in 2025, a lot of visiting scientists and students (users) will use the laboratories. The main part of the job will then shift into giving introductions to users on working in the laboratories, keeping the chemistry laboratories stocked with chemicals and consumables, providing assistance to users and assuring that everyone is working safely in the labs. Excellent skills in interacting with people are essential.
This is not a research job but a job that opens up the possibility to learn about a wide variety of lab equipment and to interact with users from all nations and helping them to scientific success. 

Qualifications

You have a bachelor or at least 2 years of education in chemistry / laboratory work. Excellence in soft skills is needed. More precisely, we expect:
- experience in handling chemicals including hazardous chemicals (at least 2years of experience)
- basic knowledge of chemistry and chemical equipment (distillation setup, pipetting, burettes,…)
- good communication skills and outgoing personality/being proactive
- good knowledge of spoken and written English
- interested in dealing with people
- curiosity, willingness to use and maintain analytical lab equipment such as X-ray diffractometers, FT-IR spectrometers, thermogravimetry a.s.o.
- experience in laboratory safety and hazard analysis is a plus
- experience with handling radioactive materials is a plus

At ESS it will be as important to be able to work independently and push the work forward as it will be needed to function well in international teams. You need to be able to work in a workplace continuously changing and to keep calm. Preference will be given to candidates with hands-on experience from existing facilities.

The evaluation will be based on technical qualification. However, it is important that you recognize the value of consulting others in order to succeed. A development project such as this requires the ability to adapt and cope with changing circumstances and as working in an international environment will challenge your ability to handle cultural diversity, it is important that you have successfully managed this in previous employments. Experience of working in an international environment is essential and we expect you to be fluent in written and spoken English.

As a person you are positive, open minded, creative, organized and motivated. You need to be able to cope with projects in development, which can involve changing project directions and frames. To make all interests meet it is important to be able to both listen to input, but still to be able to make decision to move forward.

Duration & Location
The position is permanent with six months initial probationary period. Your work place will be situated in Lund, Sweden.

Start date
The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Application & Contact
Please provide your curriculum vitae and cover letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please note we only accept applications via the ESS website.

The deadline for applications is 12th of February 2017.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process. For further information regarding the position, please contact Head of Division, Arno Hiess, arno.hiess[at]esss.se. For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Officer, Sara Margaryan, sara.margaryan[at]esss.se.