Technician in Civil Engineering

Technical Instructor - Civil Engineering

£30,577 to £32,455 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £37,323.25 per annum)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too. The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting‑on‑hand learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Engineering and Built Environment

TheSchool of Engineering and Built Environmentat the University of Derby is a dynamic and future‑focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment. The School is home to research‑active academics with backgrounds in engineering, architecture, interior design, and construction. Our staff bring real‑world experience and academic rigour to the classroom, supporting students in developing both creative portfolios and technical competencies.

The discipline area is located in the University’s STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co‑located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.

Technical Services at the University of Derby underpins the key activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and innovation. As an applied University we value the importance of practical work and experimental learning. Our highly skilled Technicians from across all areas of the organisation play a vital part in delivering the very best student experience, developing research activity and contributing to innovation. Central to the success of our Technical Service is collaboration, teamwork and knowledge sharing.

Technical colleagues within the College of Science and Engineering support a wide range of specialist resources and activities. Working independently and in collaboration with academics, our technicians play an important role in advancing the work in many of our academic disciplines. We support specialist areas such as laboratories, workshops and controlled environments. We also provide specialist support for Research Centres such as the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE), East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIOT) and the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA).

As a signatory of the national Technician Commitment programme, the University has pledged to support the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of Technical colleagues.

Many of our highly skilled technical staff members hold PhDs and Degrees in disciplines associated with the specialisms they deliver. An increasing number of our technicians have been recognised for their contribution to teaching and student support as Fellows and Associate Fellows of Advance HE. A number also hold professional accreditation status through organisations such as the Science Council, which establishes knowledge, understanding and competence.

As Technician in Civil Engineering, you will contribute to laboratory and field‑based learning across core civil engineering disciplines, including surveying, structural engineering, geotechnics, and fluid mechanics. Responsibilities will include maintenance, demonstrating technical procedures, preparing equipment and experimental setups, and supporting the delivery of practical classes and fieldwork.

An important core aspect of the role will involve the support of surveying activities and field trips. This will include the operation, maintenance, and demonstration of surveying technologies. The post holder will also support the processing, management, and presentation of survey data, producing outputs aligned with current industry standards.

A Full UK Driving Licence (manual) is essential for this role as you will be required to drive the University of Derby vehicles and hired vehicles (up to 3.5 tonne) to transport equipment between sites. Please note that we are unable to offer adapted vehicles. There is a requirement to load and unload equipment, typically with a maximum weight up to 50kg, with shared lifting processes.

You will hold qualification(s) equivalent to a degree in Civil Engineering, Surveying, or a related discipline, or possess comparable knowledge and transferable skills gained through relevant professional experience.

The ideal candidate will have technical experience supporting civil engineering activities, preferably gained within an industrial, construction, research, or educational environment. You will have experience in the operation, maintenance and safe use of a range of civil engineering equipment and technical resources used in laboratory, fieldwork and practical teaching environments. This may include surveying equipment, testing apparatus, monitoring equipment, and associated software or data collection systems.

You will be confident in preparing equipment and facilities for practical activities, assisting with field and laboratory exercises, and supporting students and staff in the effective use of specialist resources. Experience of fault finding, routine maintenance, and ensuring equipment remains fit for purpose would be advantageous.

• Liaise with academic staff in the School of Engineering and Built Environment, and the Technical team to ensure full technical support for teaching, course development, academic enterprise, outreach and research. Ensure that work generated in this way is fully communicated to the relevant Senior Technician for programming of work.
• Provide technical support for laboratory practical sessions across built environment as requested by academic staff and scheduled by the Senior Technician.
• Driving equipment and persons to sites to support teaching and projects.
• Support off site field trips and surveys including residentials.
• Provide technical assistance to other members of staff as required by the Technical Team Leader or Technical Manager.
• Maintain the efficient preparation, operation and orderly appearance of all Built Environment practical laboratory spaces.
• Provide relevant technical assistance for student projects (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• Assist with supervision and training of student employees and volunteers.
• Construct and/or install and implement new apparatus and equipment, operate and maintain existing apparatus and equipment as appropriate.
• Help to maintain material stocks, spares etc. and report deficiencies to the Senior Technician.
• Demonstrate relevant techniques in practical sessions as required (if technician workload permits).
• Ensure local compliance with all relevant Health and Safety regulations and policies and write risk assessments where appropriate.
• Undertake any additional duties as required in agreement with the line manager and Technical Team Leader.
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a related subject
• Full UK Driving Licence - Manual

Experience

• Experience of supporting or engaging in practical work in civil engineering and built environment
• Experience and knowledge of using, maintaining, and supporting equipment and resources used within civil engineering and built environment discipline

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Ability to develop standard operating procedures for practical classes
• Excellent and proven verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively to students and staff
• Ability to plan and monitor own workload operating both alone and as part of a team
• Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety including Risk Assessments (RA) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
• Demonstrable high level of organisational and practical skills
• Manages own time and prioritises work
• Highly self‑motivated, able to work with minimal supervision and willingness to take on varied responsibilities

Business requirements

• Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)
• Ability to travel to offsite locations
• There will be limited evening and weekend work associated with this post
• Attend field trips or otherwise as agreed in advance with the Senior Technician

Qualifications

• Professional registration
• Recognised First Aid qualification

Experience

• Experience of geotechnical, fluids, structures, or surveying activities

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Good working knowledge of survey equipment including total stations, GPR, GPS and laser scanners
• Good working knowledge of Computer Aided Design packages
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Richard Bostock, Technical Team Leader via R.Bostock@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

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