Rocks Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician Teaching and Research

The Rock Mechanics Laboratory is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to the analysis and testing of rock materials and their mechanical properties. This laboratory is designed to support a wide range of research and practical applications in geology and Earth sciences.

The post holder will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day technical functions and operations in the Department of Earth Sciences, providing technical and engineering related assistance throughout a busy suite of teaching laboratories plus a large and diverse selection of research laboratories, thereby ensuring smooth and efficient operation throughout both areas.

The post holder will be required to provide flexible technical support as part of a technical team supporting all teaching and research activities conducted within the Department of Earth Sciences. Primarily supporting the operation of mechanical and electronic equipment; machining of rock samples; basic designing and fitting of mechanical components using conventional machine tools and techniques; monitoring of standard tests.

They will also be required to monitor health and safety practice in the main laboratory and in the sample preparation room, and to carry out routine maintenance and undertake breakdown repairs of the experimental and sample preparation facilities as required.

The post holder will also be required to liaise with the Faculty of Science workshops during the commissioning and assembling of mechanical parts and with CIS/departmental IT team, for maintenance and development of the laboratory IT facilities (PCs, printers, digital cameras, etc.). They will also be responsible for consumables and equipment used and to ensure stocks are maintained at an acceptable level, contribute to the implementation and maintenance of good laboratory practice and perform basic management of laboratory databases (e.g. data record and storage, and back-up of laboratory PCs).

Responsible to: The post-holder should report to the Rock Mechanics Laboratory managers Prof. Nicola De Paola and Prof. Stefan Nielsen.

Service Delivery:
Plan and organise workload with or without involvement with project work streams. Resolve queries and requests for information and advice. Escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members. Organise and schedule resources, activities and events. Apply theory and practice from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team. Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success. Provide more in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis activities within the role. Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources. Advise others and make recommendations on work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services. Liaise with others to identify resource requirements, store and deliver resources and keep accurate records of stock levels. Control of laboratory spending, monitoring expenditure to the appropriate budget code and cost centre. Prepare safety documents and risk assessments for teaching, research and learning activities, e.g. COSHH. Support and assist with the provision of health and safety whilst adhering to set guidelines.

Teaching and Learning Support:
Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of research activities. Develop, construct and/or repair mechanical, electrical, electronic and digital equipment and tools, under the supervision of more experienced staff. Deliver professional technical and experimental services to postgraduates, research assistants and academic staff to support teaching, research and learning activities to meet sector and professional body standards. Provide demonstrations and instruction on various laboratory techniques and practices and the operation of particular equipment to others outside the team. Provide supervision for research activities, including students and staff. Ensure the smooth running of a teaching or research facility and/or a range of laboratories, workshops, studios and/or experimental facilities, maintaining facilities to a safe standard for student use. Apply knowledge and skills to build, adapt, construct and repair test set-ups, experimental scenarios and laboratory equipment for demonstration lectures. Utilise new and existing resources to deliver research objectives. Prepare and set-up equipment and facilities for the delivery of research activities.

Teamwork:
Act as a more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members. Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience. Collaborate with team members and academic staff to implement service alterations and plan the future development of laboratories.

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders:
Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience. Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service. Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users. Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally. Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, industries, visitors, academic staff, students and colleagues across the University to ensure a smooth and efficient service. Assist and advise students working in research laboratories on technical aspects of their research projects.

Essential Criteria:
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning
- Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics
- Qualified to Ordinary National Certificate level (or equivalent qualification/experience) in either a science subject, mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering, or A Levels in Science and Mathematics
- Experience of working in a team and able to work flexibly, enthusiastically, efficiently and co-operatively with colleagues to support the teaching and research activities in the RML
- Knowledge and expertise with the application of skills to create, build and construct resources, tools and equipment to meet teaching and research outputs
- Record data and information accurately and provide reports as required
- Experience of working within a laboratory environment with an understanding of the operation of general laboratory equipment, able to assist and train staff, students and visiting researchers on experimental techniques for the preparation of rock samples
- IOSH – Working Safely qualification or alternative

Desirable Criteria:
- Qualified to Higher National Certificate level (or equivalent qualification/experience) in either a science subject, mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions
- Experience of working with engineering drawing packages (e.g. CAD, Solidworks) and laboratory research computing software (e.g. Labview, Matlab)
- Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues
- Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes
- Experience of monitoring activities of self and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to
- Keep up to date with Health and Safety policy and procedure/legislation changes
- Assist team members to write and carry out risk assessments, respond to potential harmful situations according to procedures, and escalate issues where required
- Carry out first-line visual inspection and safety checks regularly and on an annual basis
- Basic geological knowledge motivated with a willingness to expand their knowledge

Benefits:
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (total 39 days)
- Parking across campus, cycle to work scheme, and discounts with local bus and train companies
- Exclusive discounts via benefits portal including supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products, eating out and days out
- On-site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and holiday camps for children aged 5–16
- Wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Volunteering opportunities
- Generous family friendly policies including maternity and adoption leave
- Career development opportunities including qualifications, IT skills, courses and apprenticeships
- Generous pension schemes