Job Description
Job title:
Departmental Support Technician
Department/School:
Physics
Grade:
6
Location:
3 West
Job purpose
This new post has been generated to support the recent Departmental expansion into
the field of Astrophysics and will have a dual role covering both teaching and
research activities.
It will underpin the research activities of the newly formed Astrophysics research
group. This part of the role will include working with and supporting astronomical
instrument design and construction as well as related software and data
management.
The post holder will also will provide technical support, advice and guidance in the
undergraduate teaching laboratories, including the maintenance of equipment,
organisation of laboratory areas and development of new experiments, as well as
liaison with academics, demonstrators and students.
Reports to:
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.
Staff management responsibility
None, although may be required to cover for the undergraduate laboratory coordinator, undergraduate laboratory technician, workshop technician or Departmental
chemical advisor (as appropriate) during short-term periods of absence.
Special conditions
Although based in the Departmental teaching and astrophysics research laboratories,
the job will also involve working at times in any of the Department’s specialist
laboratories and/or the mechanical workshop.
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Lifting and handling of heavy and/or large objects is sometimes required and training
will be given if necessary. Lifting/handling aids are provided where appropriate.
Contact with chemicals including solvents, adhesives, etc. can be expected as part of
the job and again PPE is provided along with COSHH assessment sheets for the
materials.
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,
CPD, UCAS and 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 and Astrophysics research laboratories, assist in carrying
out yearly PAT testing within the department, assist in the mechanical workshop and
with chemical safety:
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Work under the guidance of academics to establish, support and maintain the
Astrophysics research laboratories.
Support the design, construction, calibration and operation of astronomical
instrumentation (at optical and RF wavelengths).
Support the software for the control of astronomical instrumentation and the
management and analysis of data from it at multiple wavelengths.
Assist with supervising undergraduate student projects in the Astrophysics
research laboratories.
To maintain the Astrophysics research laboratories as a healthy and safe
working environment.
 Keep records of maintenance and safety checks on items of equipment.
 Provide and collate risk assessments forms and ensure records are kept up
to date.
 Liaise with relevant Department and University Safety personnel as and
when necessary.
Work as part of a team of technicians supporting the Department’s teaching
laboratories
Assist with the design and development of new experiments and projects in
preparation for future academic years. In particular take the initiative with the
development of Astrophysics-based experiments and projects.
Assist with the operation and maintenance of the wide variety of equipment
within the teaching laboratories.
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Help maintain the teaching laboratories as a health and safe working area with
very good housekeeping.
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Liaise with academics, demonstrators, students and technicians in associated
laboratories.
Provide assistance with schools liaison, UCAS, Open Day and CPD activities.
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Assist the workshop technician, and provide cover in their absence.
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Assist with carrying out PAT testing within the department offices and research
areas and maintaining the PAT database.
Assist with the management of chemicals and chemical safety in the
Department.
Special conditions
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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Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
Qualifications
Degree or A level in Physics or another
relevant science-related subject
√
√
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Postgraduate level qualification
I/T
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Experience/Knowledge
√
Prior experience of working in a
laboratory environment
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Prior experience of working in an
undergraduate or postgraduate teaching
environment.
Knowledge of astronomical
instrumentation (particularly optical
telescopes and standard spectroscopic
techniques).
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Knowledge of astronomical software and
data management
Knowledge of electronics
√
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Experience of using machines within a
mechanical workshop
Knowledge of PAT testing
√
√
√
√
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Knowledge of chemicals
√
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Knowledge of health and safety practises
in laboratories
√
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Excellent IT skills
√
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Excellent verbal, interpersonal and
written 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.
√
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Skills
Strong technical skills in the design, use
and maintenance of mechanical and
electrical equipment.
Skilled in the use of optical telescopes
and standard spectroscopic techniques.
√
Attributes
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R
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
Ability to work in a team
√
A/F
√
Commitment to facilitate students’
learning within their laboratory classes,
and to provide a high quality learning
experience
√
√
√
class
√
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Able and willing to engage with a wide and
varied range of people
√
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Flexible and adaptable
√
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Able and willing to take initiative and be
proactive
Able and willing to work unsupervised
and to organise and prioritise own
workload, with a knowledge of when to
ask for help
√
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Commitment to enable world
Astrophysics research activities
I/T
√
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R - References
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