Calibration and Maintenance Technician in Oxford

The Facility Calibration and Maintenance Technician will work with high value and high tech equipment in a state-of-the-art battery research centre. They will work alongside highly skilled scientists to ensure the equipment remains in top condition and is always calibrated. The role is located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and requires full onsite presence.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Equipment Calibration
  • Ensure all laboratory and process equipment remains within defined calibration limits.
  • Perform routine and ad‑hoc calibration activities in line with internal procedures and manufacturer guidance.
  • Maintain accurate calibration records and documentation to support audits and compliance requirements.
  • Identify calibration drift, non‑conformances, and corrective actions.
• Equipment Maintenance
  • Carry out routine preventive maintenance to maximise equipment availability and performance.
  • Respond promptly to equipment faults and breakdowns, carrying out first‑line repairs where appropriate.
  • Coordinate with equipment vendors and service engineers for complex repairs and specialist interventions.
  • Support commissioning, re‑commissioning, and upgrades of new or modified equipment.
• Vendor & Spares Management
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with equipment suppliers and service providers.
  • Actively manage service contracts, call‑outs, and escalation routes.
  • Own and maintain a site spares strategy to minimise downtime and ensure critical parts availability.
• Facility & Equipment Standards
  • Ensure laboratory and prototyping equipment meets cleanliness, safety, and operational standards.
  • Support good laboratory practice (GLP), 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Contribute to risk assessments, safe systems of work, and procedural documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent experience in a scientific, engineering, or technical discipline.
• Hands‑on experience working with laboratory or pilot‑scale research equipment.
• Strong practical skills and confidence working with high‑value and sensitive instrumentation.
• High attention to detail, particularly in calibration, documentation, and compliance activities.
• Experience in materials science, electrochemistry, battery R&D, or similar research environments.
• Familiarity with calibration systems, asset registers, and maintenance tracking tools.
• Vendor‑led training or certifications on specialist equipment.
• Comfortable using PLCs and examining equipment runtime data.

This role is ideal for a candidate who loves high end scientific equipment and keeping it operating in top condition. They will be calm and effective under pressure during equipment downtime, and have good communications skills, able to work closely with scientists and suppliers.