Assistant Technical Specialist - School of Chemical EngineeringGrade 6
Assistant Technical Specialist - School of Chemical EngineeringGrade 6
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£ 33002 - 35608
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Position Details
School of Chemical Engineering
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 33002 to 35608 with potential progression once in post to 39906.
Grade: 6
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to August 2026
Closing date: 14th September 2025
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 andweare equally proud to be recognised as a leading global 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 todevelopthrough our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programmewhichprovides allprofessionalservices staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full almost 5000professionalservices jobs in a wide-range of functionsin Edgbaston andin our campus inDubai there are plenty of opportunities foryou to be able to develop yourcareer 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 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 areand how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees andtothe success of the University and depending on the role we offer avarietyof flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible addition you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 dayspaid holidaya 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 campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool shopsplaces to eat and drinkour own art gallery museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about thebenefits of working for the Universityof Birmingham
Background
The School of Chemical Engineering is organised into three primary research themes: formulation engineering energy and healthcare technologies. The schools practical learning and experimental facilities are located across five campus buildings and at the BEIC building in Tyseley. The Assistant Technical Specialist will be responsible for the daily management of equipment in the School of Chemical Engineerings research facilities as well as providing support for basic electrical fault-finding and small-scale fabrication projects.
Role Summary
The Assistant Technical Specialist plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining a world-class academic and research environment. This position provides direct support for research groups by designing developing assembling repairing and maintaining a wide range of scientific instrumentation.
Reporting to the School Technical Manager the post holder will be responsible for implementing and monitoring compliance with Health and Safety Estates and laboratory housekeeping matters within the schools facilities. They will support the management of junior technical staff by providing advice and oversight on basic housekeeping infrastructure and H&S issues. This role includes managing school facilities which entails training users on instrumentation and providing workshop support for small-scale projects. The post holder will be expected to establish an effective working relationship with academic leads to ensure day-to-day activities are managed efficiently based on their input. They will also provide support for and contribute to college activities as required under the direction of the School Technical Manager.
Main Duties
Research Facilities & Equipment Management
- Oversee the management and maintenance of the schools research facilities and instrumentation.
- Advise train and assist staff and students on experimental techniques research methods and technical issues. This may include providing paid services to external departments.
- Ensure all laboratory equipment is in good working order by arranging servicing and calibration and maintaining accurate records.
- Guide the purchasing of new equipment secure quotes from suppliers and report any potential safety issues or necessary infrastructure changes to the School Technical Manager.
- Maintain a current asset register for all equipment within school facilities.
- Manage facility bookings training sessions and user invoicing using the universitys booking software Stratocore.
- Calculate activity costs and identify the most cost-effective solutions for research projects.
- Prepare invoices for equipment use and manage recharges to grant holders for access provided to their teams.
- Oversee research accounts including setting budgets for consumables and equipment maintenance.
General Laboratory & Infrastructure Support
- Monitor report and resolve infrastructure-related failures within school facilities.
- Ensure all research staff and students comply with housekeeping policies including establishing and monitoring schedules for communal area upkeep.
- Manage the inventory of compressed gas cylinders including tracking purchases and assigning charge codes for rental costs.
- Conduct regular gas system checks including leak testing and inspect regulators to ensure they are up-to-date and registered in the school inventory.
- Oversee the University Insurance Register.
- Provide guidance on laboratory space management and coordinate the removal and disposal of redundant equipment.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for building maintenance issues.
- Prepare pressure vessels and lifting equipment for inspection maintain inspection records and coordinate necessary repairs.
- Perform regular checks on the schools air compressors and schedule annual inspections.
- Offer basic electrical fault-finding and fabrication support.
Health Safety & Compliance
- Manage all aspects of health and safety related to the schools research facilities.
- Ensure safety paperwork including Risk Assessments Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Emergency Shutdown notices are in place and up-to-date.
- Maintain comprehensive training records to ensure all facility users are trained to operate equipment safely.
- Monitor compliance with SOPs and control measures specified in risk assessments.
- Ensure adherence to all local school and university health and safety fire safety and housekeeping policies and take action to remedy non-compliance issues.
- Conduct or arrange regular inspections of a variety of equipment and systems including:
- All items on the University Insurance Register (as required).
- Fixed gas lines (annually).
- Ladders lifting and sling equipment (in accordance with policy).
- Compressed gas systems regulators and flashback arrestors.
- Assist with weekly/monthly fire checks and regular Legionella water outlet flushing.
Other Responsibilities
- Mentorship and Staff Development: Support the professional growth of junior technical staff by providing guidance advice and contributing to their personal development plans.
- Health and Safety Roles: Take on designated health and safety duties as needed such as serving as a fire warden first aider and a member of the Schools Health & Safety committee.
- College-Wide Support: Under the direction of the School Technical Manager participate in a range of college-wide activities including assisting in other laboratories and supporting School and College Open Days and Outreach events. This includes performing any other tasks assigned by the Head of School Head of Operations or College Director of Operations that align with the roles skill set.
Required Knowledge Skills Qualifications Experience
Skills
- Proven ability in managing research laboratory facilities.
- Comprehensive understanding of current health and safety legislation.
- Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to persuade negotiate and influence others.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to act as a positive role model for professional service delivery.
- Proficiency in IT including Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint and basic electronic fault-finding skills.
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
- The ability to effectively instruct and demonstrate analytical techniques to staff and students.
Qualifications
- A degree in a relevant scientific field or equivalent professional experience (Essential).
- GCSEs (A*-C) in Mathematics and English or equivalent (Essential).
- IOSH/NEBOSH General Certificate or a similar health and safety qualification or a willingness to obtain one (Highly Desirable).
- Science Council Professional Registration (Desirable).
Experience
- Prior experience in a technical role is desirable particularly with practical and theoretical knowledge of a wide range of analytical techniques and instrumentation. The ideal candidate will be expected to develop knowledge across all areas listed below over time.
- Microscopy (Atomic-force Confocal Raman)
- Thermogravimetric analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry
- Particle size characterisation (Mastersizer Bettersizer Zetasizer)
- FTIR/UV/VIS/NIR Spectrometry
- Rheology measurements
- Material mechanical testing (Zwick Instron)
- Micro-Computer Tomography
- Helium pycnometry
- Preparing data for presentations and reports.
- Experience in designing modifying and performing hands-on experimental work
Informal enquiries to Chyntol Kanhimbe email:
View our staff values and behaviourshere
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
