At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and service laboratory equipment, ensuring everything runs smoothly for teaching and research.
- Company: Join a leading School of Biosciences with a focus on innovation and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38+ days of leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a dynamic environment while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus vocational skills in electrical and mechanical maintenance.
The predicted salary is between 25249 - 26707 € per year.
Overview
You will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive maintenance and instrumentation maintenance and servicing provision for staff, students and external customers across the School underpinning the fundamental working practices of teaching, research and facilities. Reporting to the Senior Technician: Operations, you will be responsible for carrying out routine maintenance of common laboratory equipment, maintain accurate records using the Asset Database and SAP, and perform practical tasks consistently to a high standard with attention to detail.
Responsibilities
- Carry out routine maintenance of common laboratory equipment, using standard operating procedures and keeping records. Examples include water purifiers, ultra‑low temperature freezers and vacuum pumps.
- Assist operations team members to create bespoke apparatus for research applications, providing input at all stages of development and production.
- Diagnose faulty equipment requiring repair and undertake repairs using appropriate tools, techniques and procedures under supervision.
- Maintain accurate records of work undertaken using the Asset Database and SAP for ordering.
- Assist with purchasing, including ordering and distributing goods.
- Carry out PAT for new items, adding them to the Asset Database, and for repaired items.
- Assist staff to scrap old items and ensure they are removed from the database.
- Participate in planning and organising the preventative maintenance service schedule for common laboratory equipment.
- Provide technical advice to staff and students regarding equipment and work areas.
- Liaise with appropriate staff to keep work areas and equipment functional; prepare areas for visiting service engineers, provide decontamination certificates, and maintain appropriate records.
- Contribute to the planning and organisation of moving significant amounts of laboratory equipment using appropriate lifting techniques and equipment.
- Assist with training staff and students to safely operate complex and specialised equipment such as compressed gas cylinders and regulators.
- Carry out inductions, training and demonstrations of relevant equipment.
- Understand and apply relevant risk assessments and departmental health and safety protocols at all times.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
- Minimum qualifying GCSE grade in English and Maths, or equivalent Level 2 qualification (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Demonstrable vocational skills and experience including 18th Edition IET or more recent equivalent training (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Knowledge of electrical and mechanical skills including the use of hand tools for installation, calibration and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation (Essential; Interview/Test)
- Understanding and application of Health and Safety regulations and safe working practices (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Ability to complete technical documentation appropriately and keep accurate records (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Effective communication with colleagues, students and staff to identify and understand their needs (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Understanding how to follow correct procedures and instructions to achieve compliance with statutory regulations (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Ability to identify problems and follow suitable escalation routes (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Ability to use common IT applications such as Google Workspaces (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Adaptable to the demands of the role and changes in workflow, planning and organising routine tasks (Essential; Interview/Application)
- Technical Professional registration or equivalent or working towards (Essential; Interview/Application)
Further Information
- Grade: 4
- Salary: £25,249 – £26,707 per annum with potential to progress to £28,778 through sustained exceptional contribution.
- Work arrangement: Full‑time (35 hours per week)
- Duration: Permanent, available immediately
- Line manager: Senior Technician: Technical Operations
- Direct reports: None
- Our website: School of Biosciences
- Informal enquiries: Matt Wyles, Technical Manager, m.wyles@sheffield.ac.uk
Benefits
- Minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- Variety of staff networks providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards for staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- Commitment to development with access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
- Family‑friendly policies: paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for menopause, paid time off and support for fertility treatment, and more.
We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Closing Date: 10/6/2026
Support Technician: Electrical & Instrumentation in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
Join our dynamic team at the School of Biosciences, where we prioritise a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and collaboration. As a Support Technician in Electrical & Instrumentation, you will benefit from generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to your development through mentoring and training opportunities. Our inclusive environment, coupled with a range of employee networks and recognition awards, makes us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Technician: Electrical & Instrumentation in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the School of Biosciences. Understand their values and recent projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to technical skills and health and safety protocols. You want to be able to demonstrate your knowledge confidently, especially when it comes to maintaining laboratory equipment.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment. Use specific examples to illustrate how you approached the issue and what the outcome was.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a couple of thoughtful questions prepared. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Technician: Electrical & Instrumentation in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Support Technician. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your vocational skills and experience, especially in electrical and mechanical areas. Mention any relevant qualifications like the 18th Edition IET to catch our eye!
Be Detail-Oriented:Since attention to detail is key in this role, ensure your application is free from typos and errors. Highlight your ability to maintain accurate records and follow procedures, as this will resonate well with us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Know Your Equipment
Familiarise yourself with the common laboratory equipment mentioned in the job description, like water purifiers and ultra-low temperature freezers. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you’ve maintained or repaired them in the past.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your vocational skills and any relevant qualifications, especially your 18th Edition IET training. Prepare examples of how you've applied your electrical and mechanical skills in previous roles, particularly in maintenance and calibration.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Demonstrate your understanding of health and safety regulations during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented safe working practices in your previous positions and how you would ensure compliance in this role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key! Think of examples where you’ve successfully interacted with colleagues or students to understand their needs. Show that you can explain technical concepts clearly and are adaptable to different communication styles.
