Senior Facility Technician (Characterisation)

The Characterisation Facility in the School of Metallurgy and Materials plays a vital role in delivery of cutting-edge practical research and high quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, by providing staff and students with access and training on a range of equipment from materialographic preparation to advanced physical and thermal characterisation techniques. The equipment in the facility includes XRD, XRF, Particle Size Analysers, STA, DSC, TMA, heat treatment furnaces, hardness testing and universal testing machines.

The primary focus of the Senior Facility Technician is to train and support the facility users with the materialography and heat treatment laboratories, run samples for external and internal customers, repair and care for the equipment, prepare equipment for use through routine maintenance and calibration, replenish and restock consumables, and ensure adherence to health and safety policies.

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance for research and teaching activities in the Characterisation Facility. You will utilise your technical skills to support customers with a wide range of techniques and activities, providing training, supervision, and guidance to Characterisation Facility customers at a variety of levels, ranging from undergraduate students to postgraduate research staff.

Working as part of the Characterisation Facility team, you will carry out routine equipment care; undertaking preventive and reactive maintenance as required, and reporting any faults or issues which cannot be resolved by yourself to your line manager. You will maintain consumable stock levels, proactively raising purchase requisitions to replenish consumable levels before they run out. You will be expected to ensure your working area is safe; writing and updating risk assessments and Standard Operation Procedures. You will support Characterisation Facility customers in following and upholding health and safety instructions.

Main Duties:

If in a supervisory position, you will supervise the day to day activities of a number of other technical staff and provide support and guidance in relation to working requirements, working environment, staff wellbeing, and identifying training requirements. Even if not in a supervisory position, you will act as a role model and coach staff in the locality.

You will discuss the daily programme of work with your manager and other technical staff to ensure session protocols and outcomes are clear, and plan the most efficient means to turnaround daily classes. You will research, design, trial and modify practical protocols for internal and external customers.

Support the Assistant Technical Specialist and Technical Manager where required and deputise for them in their absence. Keep the Assistant Technical Specialist and Technical Manager informed of changes to protocols, discussions with academic leads, and other matters relating to the facility.

Instruct and provide high level technical support for students in the correct and safe handling of laboratory and fieldwork equipment including preparation of samples, analysis methods and preparation techniques. Prepare a diverse range of materials used during practical sessions; calculate and prepare a wide range of laboratory reagents, accurately and reproducibly dispense reagents, and provide a consistent results delivery service.

Prepare and support open day, Applicant Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the laboratories. Oversee that the laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals and manage setup/takedown of equipment and materials. Check practical layouts prior to classes and ensure all requirements are in place. Demonstrate equipment use, high level techniques and procedures to staff and students. Troubleshoot and respond to problems during practical sessions using in-depth knowledge to diagnose and resolve issues.

Health and Safety Duties:

Proactively support health and safety within the laboratory, including managing communal areas as required. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date. Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and demonstrate/train staff at all levels on correct usage. Carry out regular maintenance processes and maintain appropriate records. Report any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to relevant managers. Uphold correct waste disposal streams. Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation:

Ensure all records are accurate and kept up to date. Proactively maintain stocks of consumables and generate purchase order requisitions using University systems. Receipt and correct storage of consumables, equipment and chemical reagents. Ensure facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition. Ensure PAT testing, calibration of equipment and equipment inventories are up to date. Adopt a proactive attitude to carbon reduction and energy saving measures. Maintain a technical support-based facility website including how-to guides and practical setup guides, keeping these up to date as requirements or protocols change.

Other Duties:

Take an active role in training and mentoring junior or newly appointed staff. Treat everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation.

Person Specification (Essential):

Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in materials science, engineering, physical science or similar. GCSE level 2 (A*-C/4-9) or equivalent in mathematics and English. In-depth practical knowledge of materialography/metallography, heat treatment, microscopy or mechanical testing. Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment. Good understanding of COSHH regulations and hazardous materials handling. Experience of working in a customer facing role with a good understanding of customer service principles. Positive service attitude and courtesy in dealing with others. Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in work practices. Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. Knowledge of current legislation and H&S policies relevant to the role. Proficiency in commonly used software packages. Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.

Person Specification (Desirable):

Experience of demonstrating and training others in a laboratory-based environment. Experience in or knowledge of materialographic sample preparation (including metallography, ceramography or plastography). A basic understanding of optical or electron microscopy techniques. A Science Council Professional Registration and membership of a relevant Professional Body.

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883. Grade 5.