College/ School:
College of Science, JBL Schools Technical Team
Name:
Dr Julian Bartrup
Job title:
Technical Manager
How long at Institution:
20 Years
Kind of registration/ recognition anywhere (e.g. RSci, AFHEA):
MIST
Brief description of role:
Managing the JBL research labs, staff management, Health and Safety co-ordinator, Biological Safety Officer, Radiation Protection Supervisor, Project Manager, Procurement, Equipment maintenance, Compliance, Laboratory design for new builds
Journey to your role:
I completed a PhD in neuropharmacology (focussing on the purinergic systems of the brain using electrophysiological techniques) from the University of Glasgow and then moved to the University of Oxford, working for just under 10 years as a postdoctoral researcher in an academic / industry partnership called the ‘Oxford University SmithKline Beecham Centre of Applied Neuropsychobiology’. I used electrophysiological techniques to study the Serotonergic systems of brain cells to further our understanding of how drugs work in mental health events. I worked closely with academics, clinicians and industry staff, as well as helping students with their undergrad projects. For the last 2 years of the centres existence, I took on the job of laboratory manager for the research labs where I learnt lots of the skills needed to be a lab manager in a Life Sciences research laboratory. In 2000, I applied for the job of Technical Manager at the then University of Lincolnshire & Humberside, in their about to open new Science Building. I inherited the management of 5 technical staff still reeling from the traumas of job reviews and relocation from the Food Technology labs in Grimsby and entered the world of scientific undergrad teaching laboratories.
Three things to love about the role:
- The variety of jobs to do
- The technical challenges
- The diverse people (staff & students) to deal with
Advice to other technicians:
Approach every job with a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.
Interests outside work:
Hill walking (climbing the Scottish Munros, all 284 (19 left to do)
Nature conservation, I am secretary of the local wildlife conservation volunteer group.