Car parking
Staff may apply for a car parking permit where criteria for applications will be listed. Out of hours parking (evening and weekends) is available to all staff; please contact Emma Graham to apply for a permit.
Car parking spaces are not reserved, and are available first-come first-serve. Cars should be parked in the marked bays and display their car parking badge. If you have to park in the aisles you must inform Reception. Do not leave the site without moving your car from an aisle.
The Department has a few spaces that are reserved for visitors and MUST be booked in advance by emailing car.parking@ch.cam.ac.uk. To view parking availability access the booking database. Requests will then be responded to directly with parking advice either confirming or advising of alternative options. If a booked space is no longer required, please use the same email address to cancel the space so that it can be used for others.
Representatives from companies will not be allocated parking unless they are carrying equipment for demonstrations.
Computing Facilities
Computing Services are provided at University, Department and Group level.
Full details of Departmental computing services can be found on the Department computing website.
Access to most Departmental computing services requires an Admitto account. This is usually created automatically for you when you join the Department, and information about collecting your Admitto password should be provided to you as part of your induction. This acccount provides access to a number of services, including but not limited to:
- Departmentally-managed desktop computers
- Group fileservers (N.B. provision of fileservers varies between research groups)
- The VPN service
The Department’s Computer Officers help with all IT related matters. The best way to reach them is by email (support@ch.cam.ac.uk). Email sent to this address enters a trouble ticketing system which ensures all issues are tracked through to resolution.
Network connections
There are wired and wireless networks within the building. Wireless networks include:
- ChemNet – the Chemistry Department's own wireless network
- Eduroam – for Raven password holders and visitors from other academic institutions
- UniOfCam – for Raven password holders and guests (access by temporary ticket)
The different networks provide different levels of access to facilities such as printers and journals.
To register your personal laptop on the department network: plug it into a live network socket or connect it to a Chemistry network wireless access point, open a web browser, and follow the on-screen instructions. A Raven password is required, and you must have completed the Department's registration process.
University Information Services (UIS) - Most staff, students and visitors to the Department also receive access to centrally-provided services which include email, the Managed Cluster Service (MCS) and the Raven service for accessing private University web pages. You will require a Raven password to use any of these services. As part of your induction you will receive information about applying for UIS accounts and instructions about collecting your Raven password.
Visitors who have not been registered automatically may apply to the Department Computer Officers for accounts.
Managed Cluster Service (MCS)
The Department has some generally accessible computers, the MCS managed by the Desktop Services team at the University Information Services (UIS). You will require a Raven password to log in to one of these computers.
The Chemistry MCS computers are located in:
▪Room G30 - 29 PCs and Konica Minolta multi-function device (MFD – copy, print, scan)
▪Room 155B - 10 PCs and Konica Minolta MFD
▪The library - 16 PCs, 2 Macs and Konica Minolta MFD
▪The Cybercafé - 6 Macs
Our MCS PCs run Windows 10. It is also possible to login remotely from any internet-connected computer to the MCS Linux remote-access service.
Access to online resources - Some online library services require a Raven password for access, as do many local web pages that are not open to public view.
Information and Training - Various computer courses, both taught and self-paced, are provided by the University Information Services. These are free to members of the University. Details of each term's training offerings may be obtained from the UIS training website.
Conditions of use - It is a condition of use of University and Departmental facilities that the University policy on the acceptable use of computer facilities, email and the internet is observed. It is a condition of use of Departmental facilities that the Department's IT Policies are observed.
Cybercafé
The Cybercafé on the top floor of the Centre for Molecular Informatics is open for service from 9.30am to 3.45pm, Monday to Friday except bank holidays.
The café offers a range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, crisps, cakes, biscuits and snacks. A hot food vending machine offers breakfast and other items such as panini, baguettes, pastry rolls and burgers. Several microwave ovens are provided for personal use.
Additional vending machines can be found in the Cybercafé and on the first floor, east end, which offer a range of drinks and snacks. During term time, a food counter in the east end foyer sells hot and cold drinks and a range of food items.
Drinking water is available in the Cybercafé and in most toilets from taps labelled 'D' for ‘Drinking.’ Never eat in the laboratories. Never drink from the taps in laboratories. Never use ice from any ice-making machines to cool food or drinks. Items that might be contaminated with chemicals etc. must not be taken into the Cybercafé. These include lab coats, lab books or similar items.
Email and noticeboards
Most new information is distributed by email so please check your mailbox frequently.
General staff noticeboards are located in the ground floor stairwells. Please ensure these are maintained with up-to-date information.
Library
The Chemistry Department Library, located on the first floor of the Centre for Molecular Informatics (below the Cybercafé), is open to members of the department from 07.30 to midnight, Monday to Sunday, except during the Christmas and Easter departmental closures. The Library office is normally staffed between 09.00 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 09.30 - 16.00 on Fridays but this does sometimes vary.
Please see Access to the library website for information on library access for all university staff and student categories. External visitors are not normally allowed access to the library.
Meeting rooms
Departmental lecture theatres and meeting rooms are available for pre-booking on the meeting room booking system.
If you wish to use the Cybercafé or any meeting room/area for parties out of work hours you must apply for permission from the Catering Committee. The online form is available on the Cybercafé booking site.
Nursing mothers
The Departmental first aid room, located in the BMS foyer, is available for breastfeeding and to express and store milk.
Please contact Kathleen Pickett to request access. Baby changing facilities are available in the ground floor disabled toilet.
Photocopying and Printing
Photocopying and printing, in colour or black and white, is available from Photography and Reprographics. All private copying and printing must be paid for at the advertised rate.
Photography
Photography and Reprographics provides a range of services, including:
- Studio and location photography
- Passport and visa photographs
- Design and print of business cards, signs, posters and forms
- Advice on poster design and creation, photography, cameras and digital techniques
- AO conference poster printing in cloth & paper
- Video production
Postal Services
All incoming mail is delivered to Reception and distributed:
- Mail for academic, and for professional services staff is placed in pigeon-holes on the ground floor, north wing.
- Mail for researchers and post-graduates is put in the ground floor pigeon holes, south wing.
Outgoing mail and mail for the University Messenger Service (UMS) may be handed to Reception. There is a post-box for pre-paid mail next to the counter in Reception. The last Royal Mail collection is made at 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. UMS deliveries and collections are normally made once a day at 9am, Monday to Friday, including bank holidays.
Purchasing non-stock items
If you require items not stocked in Stores, ask your Supervisor how to raise an external purchase order. Do not attempt to purchase goods yourself.
Electronic requisitioning (i-Procurement)
The University's electronic ordering system is called i-Procurement (i-Proc). Before using it, you must work complete the online training, details of this training can be found on the departmental Finance pages.
Purchased goods are delivered to Stores. You will receive an email when the order has arrived and is ready for you to collect. Email Stores for further information.
Reception
Reception is open Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 17.00 and can be contacted on 36300.
Stores
Stores is located in the basement of the south wing. They stock a wide range of general laboratory supplies, commonly used chemicals and office stationery.
To request items from Stores a Click & Collect form is available to download.
Stores Click & Collect opening hours: 10:00 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 16:00 Mon - Fri.
Office/Goods-in hours: 8:00 - 16:00 Mon - Fri.
Stores are usually closed over bank holidays and for stocktaking at the end of January and July.
Technical services and workshops
Technical staff work in the following workshops:
- Electrical/Electronic
- Glassblowing
- Mechanical
Please see Technical Services for assistance they provide.