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 collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38+ days of leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact 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 employer: Diversity Dashboard
As a Support Technician in the School of Biosciences, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a generous benefits package including 38 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and access to various staff networks, you will have ample opportunities to develop your skills while contributing to meaningful research and teaching initiatives. Join us in a role that not only values your technical expertise but also fosters a culture of recognition and support for all employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Technician: Electrical & Instrumentation
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the people you might be working with. Connect with them on LinkedIn or check out their profiles. This way, you can drop some names during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to electrical and instrumentation support. Think about how your skills match the job description and prepare examples that highlight your experience with maintenance and technical advice.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! During the interview, be ready to discuss how you've diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your thought process and how you follow procedures to ensure safety and compliance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role, the team, or the projects you'll be involved in. This shows that you're engaged and eager to contribute. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Technician: Electrical & Instrumentation
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. We want to see how you can contribute to our maintenance and servicing provision, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Off Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires a solid understanding of electrical and mechanical skills, be sure to mention any relevant qualifications or hands-on experience you have. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their ability to use hand tools and maintain laboratory instrumentation.
Keep It Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at the School of Biosciences.
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. Being able to discuss their maintenance and any relevant experience will show your technical knowledge and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Record-Keeping Skills
Since maintaining accurate records is crucial, be prepared to discuss your experience with databases like SAP or similar systems. Bring examples of how you've kept track of maintenance tasks or repairs in previous roles to demonstrate your attention to detail.
✨Understand Health and Safety Protocols
Brush up on health and safety regulations relevant to laboratory environments. Be ready to explain how you’ve applied these protocols in past experiences, as this will highlight your commitment to safe working practices.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated technical information to colleagues or students. This will show that you can identify and understand the needs of others, which is essential for providing support.
