At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain bespoke research equipment in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry, renowned for its technical excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, competitive salary, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with diverse opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable chemical manufacturing with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: HNC in Engineering or equivalent experience; strong practical engineering skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35608 - 47389 £ per year.
We are seeking a skilled precision engineer to join the School of Chemistry Workshops at the University of Nottingham. The school is supported by some of the most comprehensive analytical and technical services in the sector and works closely with industry and academic partners. This post supports a long-established, multidisciplinary research group focused on developing more sustainable methods of chemical manufacture. The group has benefited from dedicated engineering support for over 40 years, and this role will play a key part in designing, developing and maintaining bespoke research equipment.
As a core member of the Precision Engineering Workshop Technical Team, you will:
- Collaborate with academic colleagues, post-doctoral researchers, postgraduates, and the wider technical team across all aspects of the School to design, develop, construct and maintain scientific equipment to precise tolerances.
- Work with a range of materials using conventional and CNC machine tools and techniques, including milling, turning and fitting.
- Undertake projects to design and deliver engineering solutions for research and departmental equipment, including ongoing development and improvement.
- Provide engineering and technical support for ensuring day-to-day research and operational needs are met.
- Maintain Health and Safety standards throughout all aspects of your work.
- Contribute to outreach, public engagement and knowledge exchange activities.
- Support the maintenance and safe operation of workshop equipment.
- Provide expert advice and solutions on technical specifications to support evolving research needs.
About You
- Proven ability to undertake a wide range of practical and technical engineering tasks to solve a variety of queries and issues.
- High levels of accuracy, reliability and attention to detail.
- Willingness and adaptability to learn new skills, techniques and procedures.
- Good IT skills, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams) and AutoCAD/Fusion.
- Excellent interpersonal, organisational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of use and maintenance of typical engineering workshop equipment.
- Minimum of HNC in Engineering or equivalent subject, or equivalent qualifications with considerable relevant experience or substantial practical experience in a relevant precision engineering role.
- Ability to undertake manual handling tasks safely.
What We Offer
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and University closure days.
- Competitive Salary.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- An inclusive, supportive working culture within a highly respected technical and academic environment.
- You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more.
Contract details: Fixed term: 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2028. Hours: Full time (36.25 hours per week Monday to Friday). Part-time applications welcomed (minimum 29 hours per week); please state preferred hours in your application. Job share arrangements may be considered.
Further information is available in the role profile. Please contact Richard Wilson at Richard.wilson@nottingham.ac.uk if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs - indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.
We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award. To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.
Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website. We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details. Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.
Senior Technical Specialist (Fixed Term) in Nottingham employer: University Of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and individual contributions. Employees benefit from flexible working hours, access to health facilities, and a generous holiday allowance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful part-time employment while contributing to a vibrant academic community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Specialist (Fixed Term) in Nottingham
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
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Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at University Of Nottingham that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Specialist (Fixed Term) in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at University Of Nottingham, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like University Of Nottingham want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what University Of Nottingham will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at University Of Nottingham
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at University Of Nottingham. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, University Of Nottingham might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at University Of Nottingham. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at University Of Nottingham, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
