Health & Safety Technician - Physics and Astronomy - 107327 - Grade 6 in Birmingham

The School of Physics and Astronomy is a world‑leading physics department, excelling in both teaching and research. The department runs a variety of undergraduate programmes and has a strong record of research achievements, including the awarding of Nobel Prizes to former staff members.

Position Details

• Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
• Full‑time starting salary normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906
• Grade: 6
• Full Time, Permanent
• Closing date: 20th May 2026

Role Summary

The role is part of the College Health and Safety team. The postholder will provide health and safety support to staff and students across the School for both teaching and research activities, with an initial deployment in Physics and Astronomy.

Main Duties

• Advice and Guidance: Provide expert advice and guidance on all Health & Safety issues to the Technical Manager, Head of School, Heads of Research Groups and staff. Support the Technical Manager in creating and monitoring the annual School H&S action plan, ensuring timely completion of all action points.
• Monitoring, Auditing, and Compliance: Implement and maintain H&S monitoring systems, including audits and analysis of Key Performance Indicators. Monitor compliance and ensure remedial action is taken where necessary, including stopping unsafe or illegal activities. Help the Technical Manager to ensure statutory testing of equipment and facilities is completed. Capture compliance information for new equipment and installations (e.g., Pressure Safety Systems Regulation, Local Exhaust Ventilation) and update relevant registers.
• Safety and Statutory Inspections: Ensure safety inspections are carried out in accordance with Safety Services guidance and remedial actions implemented. Undertake H&S inspections in research areas/laboratories and produce reports for the Technical Manager. Assist with statutory inspections and facilitate compliance and insurance inspections with Estates and Maintenance teams. Assist with conducting regular safety checks (e.g. fire safety, water flushing) and maintain appropriate records.
• Incident Investigation: Establish robust systems for investigating accidents and incidents, implementing measures to prevent recurrence. Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses as directed, and support the implementation of remedial measures. Take appropriate supportive action if staff are injured.
• Training and Induction: Lead the development of induction materials for new starters, including Health & Safety booklets and departmental guides. Develop School specific policies and procedures that manage the risk and hazards present within that area (e.g. COSHH). Assist with the management of the Health and Safety induction process for new students and staff when required.
• Radiation Safety: For schools that have radioactive sources, provide support to the School’s Radiation Protection Coordinator in managing dosimetry services and compliance. Deputise when required for the Radiation Protection Coordinator to undertake weekly checks, audits of radioactive materials and waste, and document findings in formal reports.
• Waste and Environmental Management: Manage/develop systems for handling hazardous and non‑hazardous waste generated by the School’s activities, ensuring compliance with legislation and university policies. Promote environmental and sustainability considerations in areas such as equipment procurement, energy use, and waste management.
• Communication and Representation: Disseminate H&S information to all relevant staff and students. Present at the School H&S Committee and, when required, deputise for the Technical Manager at the College H&S Committee. Liaise with the Technical Manager to nominate staff for safety‑related roles and ensure adequate First Aid and Fire Warden coverage for all areas and events. Ensure statutory and guidance signage is appropriately displayed.
• Business Continuity and Emergency Planning: Play a key role in the School’s business continuity and major incident planning and implementation with respect to technical services.
• General: There will be a requirement for role holder to be flexible in undertaking additional or alternative duties commensurate with the grade. Undertaking training and development opportunities to maintain continual professional development. Contribute to the continuous development and implementation of safe working practices in accordance with the university’s Health & Safety Policies. Positively support and promote the university’s values in all aspects of work. Abide by all university regulations and policies relevant to the role. The postholder is bound at all times to observe the strict rules of confidentiality applicable to working in a safety practitioner role. Postholder may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and/or Fire Warden.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline, or other recognised qualification in a scientific discipline with demonstrable experience.
• Experience with ionising radiation is preferred.
• In‑depth understanding and experience of working in laboratory environments and proven ability to apply this to the development, testing and implementation of laboratory procedures.
• Recognised Level 3 (or higher) vocationally related qualification (VRQ) in Health and Safety (e.g. NEBOSH Certificate) or willingness to undertake similar training.
• Previous experience working in a university or similar laboratory safety role will be desirable.
• Proficient IT skills with a good understanding and experience of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to keep meticulous, organised records.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with people at all levels.
• Ability to produce succinct and professional reports.
• Ability to make decisions within their area of responsibility and competence.
• Knowledge of relevant health & safety legislation and requirements relating to laboratory requirements (e.g. HASAW Act, COSHH, IRR17, DSEAR).
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Display confidence when providing competent advice.
• Ability to evaluate information and reach a reasoned outcome.
• Excellent analytical skills used to produce reports, identify issues and resolve them decisively.
• Willingness to undertake training and development opportunities to maintain continual professional development.
• Willingness to change and develop work practices.
• Proactive and self‑motivated and willing to take ownership of tasks without close supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A high degree of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy, and the ability to exercise discretion regarding the handling and management of sensitive information/issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation, and to develop a good understanding of how the university and higher education institutions work.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day‑to‑day activity in their area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Daniel Smith: d.p.smith@bham.ac.uk