Technician - Engineering - 59032 - Band 500

Position Details

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Engineering

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
 
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £23,699 to £25,458. With potential progression once in post to £29,471 a year

Band 500

Full time

Permanent

Closing date - 18th August 2021

Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do. 
 
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.  We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. 
 
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.  With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. 
 
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate.  We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. 
 
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements.  We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working.  In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. 
 
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site.  On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.  
 
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham -  benefits of working for the University of Birmingham  

Job summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in teaching and research support.  You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

For research you will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols.  You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise.  You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures. 

For the teaching laboratories you will need a significant understanding of the requirements to support undergraduate classes, an understanding of all main subject areas, the ability to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, and troubleshoot problems, and optimise protocols to ensure a positive student experience.  You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate classes.   

In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Technical support (teaching & research)

Assisting academic and research staff, research students and taught students who are carrying out experiments. This will include:  the manufacture and setting up of test specimens and samples for taught laboratory classes and research experiments.

Demonstration and training in the use of different experimental methodologies, various experimental techniques and the use of technical equipment.

To assist in providing Instruction to students in the effective and safe operation of a range of mechanical equipment and assess their ability to work safely.

Work closely with company representatives and clients requiring research and testing in the laboratories, including involvement in discussions about the results required, problem-solving for experimental set-ups and aid with the design and building of equipment and rigs.

Assist in carrying out experimental work on site with research collaborators and other clients. This will include arranging visits, aiding in experimental work (e.g. collection of samples and materials), building equipment and experimental rigs on site or in the laboratories.

Provide support, as directed by the Technical Manager, to specific research projects in order to help deliver on project outcomes and deliverables.

Control of equipment

Assisting in the maintenance, repair, calibration and cleaning of equipment.

Ensuring that equipment is safe and working by regular inspection, checks and PAT testing.

Organising the repair of any faulty equipment.

Maintaining a record keeping system for booking out tools and equipment.

Monitoring levels of consumables, arranging for restocking if necessary.

Health and Safety

To be responsible for maintaining a safe working environment including COSHH, risk assessments and electrical safety testing. Following procedures for the safe use of techniques and equipment, including standard operating procedures. Arranging the disposal of waste products in line with University policy.

To ensure the cleanliness and good order of all working areas and having the authority to ensure that others follow the School’s Health and Safety documentation.

To assist in the safe supervision of students (e.g. outreach activities, work experience) during laboratory projects and taught classes.

Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).

Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.

To ensure Portable Appliances Testing (PAT) is carried out in line with University Electrical Safety Policy, removing any failed equipment from use until it has been repaired and passed.

Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.

General Administration and Organisation

Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.

Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.

Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.

Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.

Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. 

Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures. 

Maintain a technical support-based teaching laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant research lab databases/records.

General Support

To provide a wide range of general help and support to the Technical team, this includes:

To assist in planned moves of office accommodation and laboratories including the distribution and allocation of equipment around the building.

To assist in the fitting and maintaining of security measures in the building (e.g. coded locks).

To strip out and dismantle laboratory experiments and equipment (under the appropriate supervision) when required.

To help maintain equipment and facilities, reporting any issues or problems where necessary.

To support the introduction of any new equipment and undertake training as appropriate.

To provide support for open days, admission days, conferences and meetings through the setting up of rooms / spaces including moving furniture, putting up display stands and moving demonstration equipment.

To maintain storage areas ensuring they are in a clean and tidy condition.

To assist in the disposal of waste materials in accordance with the University Environmental Policy, including maintaining all necessary documentation.

Any other duties

To act as fire-warden:

In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.

Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others. 

Undertake any other tasks, across the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences as a whole that might reasonably be asked by the Head of Operations or Technical Manager and are suitable by way of knowledge or experience, or can be achieved by a reasonable programme of training.

Person Specification

GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and english. 

Relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.

Experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment would be advantageous.

Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.

Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.

Full UK diving licence essential for Fork lift truck licence training.

Experienced or willing and capable to train as a banks man, to safely use overhead cranes and the lifting and slinging of goods.

Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. 

Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.

Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.

Proficiency in commonly used software packages.

Understands the importance of  equality and diversity in the workplace.

Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers.   You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff.  You may be involved in budget monitoring.

For informal inquiries please contact Mark Carter - [email protected]

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health clearance prior to appointment.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community’