Technician: Infrastructure in Sheffield

As a Senior Technician you will work with the Nanoscience Building, reporting to the Technical Specialist, ensuring adherence to organisational policies, procedures and health and safety regulations while fostering a culture of efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive and proactive technical service to all Nanoscience users, involving the design, development, installation, commissioning, maintenance, service and repair of experimental components, assemblies and rigs.
• Use, monitor, repair, maintain and demonstrate to a high standard a range of general and highly specialised technical equipment across the School's laboratories.
• Plan, design, develop, construct and experiment systems, apparatus or equipment to meet the needs of teaching, research and related purposes.
• Provide detailed comprehensive drawings, simulations and documentation of equipment to aid teaching and research.
• Ensure all building infrastructure such as chillers, gas scrubbers, Uninterrupted Power Supplies, hydrogen purifiers and external gas supplies are maintained and operational, carrying out needed repairs and preventative maintenance or liaising with external companies.
• Ensure excellent service delivery for research projects, commercial partners and other stakeholders, keeping equipment downtime to a minimum and communicating repair timescales.
• Monitor stocks of acids, solvents and laboratory consumables, ordering and receiving them via the University's SAP system.
• Liaise with equipment suppliers, engineers, contractors and internal service providers to arrange complex repairs and infrastructure maintenance, typically one day per week, and communicate repair timescales to stakeholders.
• Contribute as a member of the School's Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus team and First Aider, including mental health first aid.
• Provide high‑quality administrative support, such as ordering consumables and maintaining up‑to‑date records of laboratory user access logs.
• Provide training to technical colleagues, other staff and students in the operation and maintenance of all equipment, including safe usage of acids, solvents, cryogenic safety and liquid nitrogen dispensing.
• Ensure compliance with all legislation and University/School policies and procedures.
• Act as the School's LEV competent person, provide expert advice to the School Health and Safety committee and be the initial point of contact for School staff and students.
• Undertake continued professional development.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification and Criteria

Essential:

• Level 6 (Degree) qualification relevant to the field with proven vocational skills.
• Experience working in a semiconductor cleanroom environment.
• Ability to plan and work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation and regulations, including hazards presented by robotic systems (IOSH Managing Safety).
• Ability to deliver technical training to others in the use of materials, equipment, tools and processes to support the group's teaching and research portfolio.
• Demonstrable aptitude and experience of maintenance and troubleshooting within a scientific, manufacturing and/or engineering based facility (mechanical, electrical, gas, chemicals).
• Practical experience of a wide range of electronics and general lab equipment, its maintenance and repair.
• Knowledge of building systems (ventilation, gases, pressure systems) and their complexity.
• Ability to organise and plan projects and tasks within agreed constraints and quality standards to ensure service uptime.
• Work efficiently and effectively, maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste.
• Ability to lead by example with a strong focus on developing and managing junior members of staff.
• Write clear and succinct technical reports and communicate them to a wide variety of stakeholders verbally, in presentation format or written.

Desirable:

• Technical Professional registration to IEng.

Salary and Benefits

£32,080–£36,636, with potential progression to £39,906 through sustained exceptional contribution.

A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro‑rata), with the ability to purchase additional days.

Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

Generous pension scheme.

A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

Various staff networks providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g., Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitment to your development with access to learning and mentoring schemes integrated with the Technical Career Route.

Family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for menopause, paid time off and support for fertility treatment.