Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Undergraduate laboratory and departmental
support technician
Department of Physics
Technical Grade 5
3 West Teaching Laboratories
Job purpose
To provide technical support, advice and guidance in the undergraduate teaching
laboratory, and to set up and dismantle experiments and projects before and after
laboratory sessions. To be responsible for annual Portable Appliance Testing
(PAT) testing in research areas and offices, and to act as understudy for the
workshop technician, with a view to provide full cover if he is away. To assist with
the management of chemicals and chemical safety in the Department, including
the Nanofabrication facility and a number of other laboratories where chemicals
are frequently used.
Source and nature of management provided
The post holder will be line managed by the Departmental Technical Manager but
will work closely with academics, students, research staff and technicians across
the department. Day-to-day supervision in the teaching laboratory would be by the
Laboratory Co-ordinator.
Staff management responsibility
They may be asked to cover for the Undergraduate laboratory co-ordinator,
workshop technician and Department Chemical Advisor due to short-term absence
Career and Professional Development Activities
Special conditions
Although based in the departmental teaching laboratories, the job will also involve
working at times in any of the Department’s specialist laboratories and the
Mechanical Workshop.
Lifting and handling of heavy and/or large objects is sometimes required and if
necessary training will be given. Lifting/handling aids are provided where
appropriate. Contact with chemicals including solvents, adhesives, etc. can be
expected as part of the job and personal protective equipment will be provided
along with COSHH assessment sheets for the materials.
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To be flexible and to assist with technical duties in other areas of the department, if
requested by the Head of Department or Technical Manager due to variations in
workload, staff shortages or re-organisation.
From time to time you may be asked to assist in the facilitation of schools
liaison, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Universities & Colleges
Admissions Service (UCAS) and University Open Day activities. This will form
part of your substantive role and you will not receive additional payment for
these activities.
Main duties and responsibilities
Using a high degree of technical expertise, provide technical support in the
undergraduate teaching laboratories, carry out yearly PAT testing within the
department, assist in the mechanical workshop and help with chemical safety:
1
Work as part of a team of technicians supporting the department’s teaching
laboratories.
2
Assist with the operation and maintenance of the wide variety of equipment
within the teaching laboratories.
3
Help maintain the teaching laboratories as a safe working area with a high
level of housekeeping.
4
Liaise with academics, demonstrators, students and technicians in associated
laboratories and coordinate activities.
5
Provide assistance with schools liaison, UCAS, Open Day and CPD
activities.
6
Assist with the purchase and development of new experiments and projects in
preparation for future academic years.
7
Assist the workshop technician, and provide cover in his absence.
8
Carry out PAT testing within the department offices and research areas and
maintain the PAT database.
9
Assist with the management of chemicals and chemical safety in the
department.
10
11
12
13
14
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature
as reasonably required by your line manager.
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Appendix B
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
Qualifications
Degree or A level in Physics or other
science related subject.
X
X
X
X
X
Experience/Knowledge
Prior experience of working in a
laboratory environment.
Prior experience of working in a teaching
environment.
X
X
X
Knowledge of Chemicals.
X
X
X
Knowledge of Electronics.
X
X
X
Experience of using machines within a
mechanical workshop.
X
X
X
Knowledge of PAT testing.
X
X
X
Skills
Strong technical skills in the
maintenance and use of mechanical and
electrical equipment.
X
X
X
General computer skills such as word
processing, spreadsheets, email and the
web.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Good communication skills, including the
ability to communicate effectively with
academics, students and other technical
staff
Understanding of the safe use of
chemicals and pressurised gases
Human Resources
X
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R
Appendix B
Attributes
Ability to work in a team
X
IT literate
X
Good interpersonal skills
X
X
X
Good communicator
X
X
X
Commitment to facilitate students’
learning within their laboratory classes, X
and to provide a high quality learning
experience for students
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Able and willing to take initiative and be X
proactive
X
X
X
X
Able and willing to engage with a wide and X
varied range of people
Flexible and adaptable
Able and willing to work unsupervised
and to organise and prioritise own
workload, with a knowledge of when to
ask for help
X
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
Human Resources
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08/02/2016