Specialist Technician

Updated: 17 days ago
Location: Bristol, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime

The School of Physics is looking to recruit a Specialist Technician to join our research technical team to both: a) help run our state-of-the-art cryogenic facility including our Helium Liquefier and b) to provide a range of support to our internationally renowned research teams.

A love of hands-on work and attention to detail is essential as Helium is a rationed worldwide and losses need to be minimized. This requires close monitoring and rapid response in detection and maintenance of any leaks in the system. It also requires training users on safety aspects. This would make up 50% of the post and 50% would be providing technical support to other research groups. Research technical experience is desirable, but we are willing to train the right candidate.

  • Responsibility for the day to day running of the Helium liquefier along with the lead Cryogenic technician.
  • Assist on setting up, maintaining, and running other projects in research labs.
  • Dealing with researchers and external suppliers.
  • Ensuring that all the necessary equipment is set up and running in labs so that students and researchers can successfully undertake their projects and experiments.
  • Repairing and maintaining / modifying equipment when necessary.
  • Monitoring systems and equipment and alerting the academic staff to any issues,
  • From time to time assisting in the development of new experiments. 
  • Educated to A level or equivalent standard in a science-based discipline.
  • Ideally you should have experience of designing and building experiments including both mechanical and electronics skills.
  • You should be familiar with computers and able to use standard programs such as MS Word and Excel (knowledge of Access could be an advantage) and specialist drawing package if possible. 
  • You must be very well organised with good planning skills.
  • You should have a working knowledge of relevant safety issues including handling of liquid gases, vacuum, and pressurised gasses, and working with lasers and chemicals.
  • It goes without saying that as you will be working closely with both internationally recognized academics and students, you will need good communication skills and a pleasant and patient nature.

For more details, please see below the link to the detailed Job Description.

Contract type: Open ended

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: G

Salary: £29,605 - £32,982 per annum 

School/Unit: School of Physics 

This advert will close at23:59 GMTon 10/04/2024

Interviews are anticipated to take take place 2 weeks after the closing date.

For informal queries, please contact Germinal Magro [email protected]


We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.


The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


Available documents

The School of Physics is looking to recruit a Specialist Technician to join our research technical team to both: a) help run our state-of-the-art cryogenic facility including our Helium Liquefier and b) to provide a range of support to our internationally renowned research teams.

A love of hands-on work and attention to detail is essential as Helium is a rationed worldwide and losses need to be minimized. This requires close monitoring and rapid response in detection and maintenance of any leaks in the system. It also requires training users on safety aspects. This would make up 50% of the post and 50% would be providing technical support to other research groups. Research technical experience is desirable, but we are willing to train the right candidate.

  • Responsibility for the day to day running of the Helium liquefier along with the lead Cryogenic technician.
  • Assist on setting up, maintaining, and running other projects in research labs.
  • Dealing with researchers and external suppliers.
  • Ensuring that all the necessary equipment is set up and running in labs so that students and researchers can successfully undertake their projects and experiments.
  • Repairing and maintaining / modifying equipment when necessary.
  • Monitoring systems and equipment and alerting the academic staff to any issues,
  • From time to time assisting in the development of new experiments. 
  • Educated to A level or equivalent standard in a science-based discipline.
  • Ideally you should have experience of designing and building experiments including both mechanical and electronics skills.
  • You should be familiar with computers and able to use standard programs such as MS Word and Excel (knowledge of Access could be an advantage) and specialist drawing package if possible. 
  • You must be very well organised with good planning skills.
  • You should have a working knowledge of relevant safety issues including handling of liquid gases, vacuum, and pressurised gasses, and working with lasers and chemicals.
  • It goes without saying that as you will be working closely with both internationally recognized academics and students, you will need good communication skills and a pleasant and patient nature.

For more details, please see below the link to the detailed Job Description.

Contract type: Open ended

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: G

Salary: £29,605 - £32,982 per annum 

School/Unit: School of Physics 

This advert will close at23:59 GMTon 10/04/2024

Interviews are anticipated to take take place 2 weeks after the closing date.

For informal queries, please contact Germinal Magro [email protected]


We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.


The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


Available documents

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