Teaching Laboratory Technician

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

Oxford Physics is one of the largest and most eminent departments in Europe – pursuing forefront research alongside training the next generation of leaders in Physics.

With an academic staff of almost one hundred, our activities range from fundamental particles to the furthest reaches of the universe to manipulating matter on an atomic scale. Oxford physicists are probing new ways to harness solar energy, modelling the Earth's atmosphere to predict the future climate, exploring computation on the quantum scale and executing calculations that reveal the fundamental structure of space and time.

The Oxford Physics teaching laboratories broadly cover General Physics (Mechanics), Optics, Solid State Physics, Electronics, Electrostatics and Magnetism, Atmospheric Physics, Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Biophysics. As part of the degree course, we teach hands-on science to around 540 students across three years, with students moving between laboratories each term. We build and upgrade experiments between terms to keep the course relevant to our goal of training the next generation of leading scientists. 

This post is permanent and full time. 

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

•               An excellent contributory pension scheme 

•               38 days annual leave 

•               A comprehensive range of childcare services 

•               Family leave schemes 

•               Cycle loan scheme 

•               Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans 

•               Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs 

About the Role

This position will focus on supporting the Electronics and Nuclear Physics laboratories, principally through:

• Preparing the laboratories at the start of teaching days and collecting apparatus at the end
• Maintaining, repairing and modifying lab equipment
• Advising and assisting students, staff, and demonstrators with apparatus and equipment
• Designing and constructing novel experiments in collaboration with students, senior academics and our workshops.

About You

You hold a qualification equivalent to or exceeding level 4 in the National Qualification Framework (e.g. NVQ Level 4 / BTEC / HNC / HND) awarded in engineering, physics, or similar. You will have proven experience of electronics, with skills in designing, constructing, and troubleshooting electronic equipment and apparatus, gained either in a higher education environment or through vocational experience. You are familiar with IT systems (e.g. spreadsheets and web-based purchasing), and you will have some experience of coding. You have evidence of being a proactive learner, someone who is prepared to understand and support our wide range of experiments over time. 

You analyse technical challenges, proposing then implementing and documenting appropriate solutions. You will be confident in managing your workload, knowing when to proceed independently and when to call on expert advice. You have the ability to work efficiently and to prioritise when encountering conflicting demands on your time.  You are a natural communicator, explaining technical concepts and procedures to our undergraduates whilst taking direction from senior staff. You have an awareness of safe working procedures including risk assessments, and be willing to act as an exemplar of best laboratory practice.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is  9th January 2023.