Monash has become a signatory to the UK Technician Commitment, an initiative designed to ensure visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for research infrastructure specialists and technical staff working across all disciplines in higher education and research.
Behind every great research breakthrough is a team of experts who deliver specialised services and operate the advanced equipment that makes research possible. At Monash, these experts enable research and innovation through specialty platforms, facilities and centres including the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, Monash Biomedical Imaging, the Genomics and Bioinformatics Platform, and more.
The UK Technician Commitment sets out pathways to recognise, educate, train and retain research infrastructure technicians to ensure that the experts who support research are fully supported as part of a sustainable workforce.
Core themes of this commitment include steps to improve visibility and recognition of this vital workforce, supporting career development and progression opportunities and strengthening workforce sustainability.
"Monash is home to world-class research infrastructure and groundbreaking research, which is all underpinned by the talent and expertise of our research infrastructure specialist workforce," said Professor Jacek Jasieniak, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure).
"This initiative provides a valuable platform for our organisation to highlight and recognise the vital role of our staff in enabling research excellence and impact throughout the University.
"By becoming a signatory, Monash now joins a global network of institutions all taking meaningful action to address the challenges facing this critical workforce, and this step reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the visibility, recognition and career development of our research infrastructure specialists, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability and support of this essential workforce."
As a signatory, Monash will also work closely with colleagues from the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy (ITSS) and its research infrastructure specialist workforce to co-design a 24-month action plan, outlining tangible steps to strengthen and support this workforce.
"Our commitment to excellence in education and excellence in research is really underpinned by our research infrastructure specialists," said Professor Michelle McIntosh, Director of the Monash Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
"Becoming a signatory to the UK Technicians Commitment really signals that Monash is moving towards making sure that our research infrastructure specialists have visibility within the workforce, that they're recognised for their achievements and that it's a sustainable career pathway."
The pledge will also grant Monash access to the UK Technician Commitment network of over 112 universities and research institutes, providing opportunities for collaboration and information-sharing.
