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1 Day left CLOSING DATE: 29/02/2016

Devro

Analytical Laboratory Placement Student

93 Application(s) to date

Undergraduate Degree

Closing Date:: 29/02/2016
Skill:: Science and environment
Region:: Glasgow
Salary: £8.25 per hour
Length:: 12 weeks
Ref code: QQXQDQHXJQ

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Placement summary

Devro, based in Glasgow, has an excellent opportunity for a student to join the team for a 12 week placement this summer. The aim of this project is to determine the most proficient technique to achieve a reliable, repeatable method to be adopted in all of Devro’s worldwide facilities. This role is almost exclusively in the laboratory, but there may be occasional trips out to collect samples or to take measurements, providing the successful student with excellent experience.

Job description

Project Description

The Amide Nitrogen level in the collagen raw material is reduced by chemical processing to a level that produces a high quality sausage casing. There are numerous variations of this method being carried out within our manufacturing plants throughout the world. The aim of this project is to determine the most proficient technique to achieve a reliable, repeatable method to be adopted in all of Devro’s worldwide facilities.

Responsibilities:

Analytical Laboratory-based tasks, mainly Protein/Collagen Analysis, Amide Nitrogen Analysis and Solids Analysis. The successful student will also provide the required technical support to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines. The role involves carrying out scientific tests as part of a scientific team, which will assist in the advancement and development of the Collagen Profile analysis.

Tasks typically involve:

Performing laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific investigations;
Carrying out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies to carry out analyses; • preparing specimens and samples;
Constructing, maintaining and operating standard laboratory equipment, for example steam bath, Nitrogen Analyser, Reflux condenser, distillation apparatus;
Ensuring the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced;
Recording and sometimes interpreting results to present to senior colleagues;
Following and ensuring strict safety procedures and safety checks;
The actual nature of the work will depend upon the analysis required.

Work conditions:

Working hours are 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs (Monday to Thursday) and 08:00hrs to 15:00hs on a Friday.
Work is almost exclusively in the laboratory where protective clothing is worn, (supplied by Devro) but there may be occasional trips out to collect samples or to take measurements.
Following strict health and safety procedures is essential due to the presence and use of toxic chemicals. Technicians can find themselves exposed to hazardous chemicals, dust, biological waste, fumes and toxic waste, so there is often a degree of risk involved.
It is common for some degree of lifting to be undertaken with the daily moving of equipment, machinery, samples and supplies.

Qualifications

This placement is part of The Scottish Life Sciences Internship Programme. The programme is only open to students in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year, who are studying an undergraduate Life Science Degree in Scotland. Candidates will be reviewed by their CV only, and can apply for a maximum of three placements. For more information please visit: Programme Overview

Skills / Experience

Essential Skills

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

The ability to learn specific, practical techniques and apply this knowledge to solve technical problems;
Good hand and eye coordination and the ability to use technical equipment with accuracy;
The ability to maintain and calibrate technical equipment;
Time management skills in order to work on several different methods at the same time;
Excellent oral communication skills in order to work effectively with colleagues from all parts of the organisation and to explain complex techniques to interested parties;
Experience in writing technical reports;
Teamwork skills;
Patience;
Attention to detail.

Desirable Skills

Excellent record keeping skills;
Maths and computing skills;
Previous laboratory experience would be beneficial.

Benefits

Company benefits

The company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of collagen casings for food, used by customers in the production of a wide variety of sausages and other meat products. This role is almost exclusively in the laboratory where protective clothing is worn, (supplied by Devro) but there may be occasional trips out to collect samples or to take measurements, providing the successful student with excellent experience.

Placement benefits

The majority of training is likely to occur on the job, but it may be possible to attend in-house training courses on topics such as health and safety procedures. The student's work will be supervised by the Analytical Services Manager. This will include informal training on the use of technical apparatus; conducting specific preparation tasks; methodology for sampling, testing and recording; and health and safety checks.

Additional information

Location: Glasgow

Planned interview date: TBC - April 2016

Preferred start date: TBC - July 2016