Senior Research Technician - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences - 99332

Position Details

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £24,291 to £26,094 with potential progression once in post to £30,207

Band 500

Full time

Permanent

Closing Date: 21 August 2022

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 

Job context

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance for researchers based in The Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing Centre within the School of Engineering (four days per week) and the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory in the School of Computer Science (one day per week).

Job summary

In the School of Engineering, you will provide technical support for research activities as required. 

In the School of Computer Science, you will provide technical support for research and teaching activities as required. You will use your technical skills for tasks that will include maintenance, repair, and update of hardware (electronics) and specialist software for robots and related equipment.

Main duties

• Where required, offer a variety of design solutions to fulfil the outline specification.
• Use of CAD/CAM package to produce programmes for the production of 3-D apparatus.
• Operate and maintain/service the hardware and software components of existing equipment including robots. Liaise with manufacturers’ service engineers where faults arise that cannot be rectified in-house. 
• Diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgement to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
• Maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity
• Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. 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 be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Have an understanding of the principles around the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER 19998)
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained. 
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
• Post holders 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.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures. 

Other Duties

• 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. 
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

• Experience with Linux Operating System and proficiency in commonly used robot software packages and simulators (e.g., Robot Operating System, ROS).
• Excellent all round workshop skills e.g. the use of hand tools, lathes, millers.
• Proficiency in design and build to achieve desired outcome without needing to be given detailed design drawings. Able to use own initiative, give attention to detail, producing high quality results.
• Relevant CNC or CAD experience.
• Basic knowledge of electronics and hardware used with robots (e.g., sensors, actuators).
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent Level 2 qualification in Mathematics and English. 
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods. 
• Willingness to learn new skills related to all aspects of the job.
• Positive service attitude and courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices and requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current health and safety policies and ability to uphold the same.
• Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Full UK driving licence desirable due to forklift truck use

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.

Planning and organising 

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem solving and decision making 

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant managers, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy. 

Internal and external relationships

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.

Informal enquiries can be made to Mark Carter; m.carter@bham.ac.uk