Faculty of Medicine and Health
School of Dentistry
Digital Technician
3 Years Fixed Term
This position is for a full time Digital Technician to provide high quality support to the Research,
Educational and Clinical production work of the School of Dentistry. The Leeds digital dentistry
team, led by Andrew Keeling, are looking to recruit talented, free thinking individuals with vision
and experience of digital software applications to maintain our current position at the forefront of
digital developments. This is an expanding field with digital applications in dentistry currently
growing at an exceptional rate. Please be aware that you do not need to have any dental
experience to undertake this role and the focus will be on your IT technical skills and innovation.
Leeds maintains well-equipped digital laboratory facilities which are used for novel concepts and
innovations in teaching, in research and in clinical applications.
In educational applications, Leeds leads the world in the use of digital technology. For example,
the extensive SIMODONT virtual reality laboratory at Leeds is the largest dental virtual reality
facility in the UK and the ability to scan the individual patients’ teeth and perform surgical rehearsal
of dental procedures using SIMODONT technology is currently unique to Leeds; we lead the
world.
Leeds research in dental digital technology has led to commercial partnership in innovation and
technological transfer, providing income generation. We maintain a strong position for research
grant applications.
Our clinical applications of digital technology include the expanding role of CAD/CAM and rapid
prototyping within dentistry. Leeds digital lab is equipped with the latest computer aided design
software and milling machines which together with our rapid prototyping ability provides facilities
which are at the forefront of digital dentistry in the UK.
As an applicant you should have a keen interest in digital design and technology advances within
a scientific environment. With creativity and enthusiasm in managing innovative projects and a
proficiency in using AutoCAD (or equivalent software), you will be well placed to join our team and
contribute to the development of these exciting facilities. You should also have computer skills
related to software programs which handle 3-D data.
This is a unique role in an innovative and future technology and so to fully understand the role and
how your skills fit with our activity, it is recommended that you talk to Andrew Keeling who is our
Digital Dentistry Academic Lead. Contact him and arrange a time to talk or to visit our facilities.
The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. The
University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. We will be
happy to consider job share applications and are committed to flexible working for all our
employees.
University Grade 6 (£25,513 – £30,434 per annum) depending on qualifications and
experience
Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to (Mr Andrew Keeling tel: 0113
343 1762, e-mail a.j.keeling@leeds.ac.uk)
If you have any specific enquiries about your online application please contact Val Almond,
tel: + 44 (0)113 343 8277, email: v.a.almond@leeds.ac.uk
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 27 October 2015
Job Ref:
MHDEN1030
Closing Date: 14 October 2015
Purpose of the post
Background
This is a new post. The successful candidate will be working in the expanding field of Digital
applications for Dentistry. Digital applications for dentistry encompass novel concepts and
innovations in teaching, in research and in clinical applications. The rate of change is exceptional.
Leeds is in a position at the forefront of these developments. This new role is to support and drive
our current expansion.
Image of a SIMODONT
Our website has further information on this exciting new innovation. Please visit:
http://medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/159/futuristic_training_helps_dental_students_brush_up
_on_skills
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The main areas of responsibility will be focussed on the support to the Research, Educational
and Clinical production work of the School of Dentistry. Broad responsibilities are outlined
below and it is envisaged that this role may develop in different directions depending on
candidates skills set and ambitions:
1. Supporting the development of research - this will include (but is not limited to):
a. 3-D printing, 3-D scanning (including ‘digital impressions’), and ‘virtual articulation’
(the dynamic relation of teeth in the upper and lower jaws)
b. Provide technical input into research development and advice on application of
specialist techniques and equipment to other staff and students
c. Prepare CAD and 3D Files, including Surfacing, Texturing, and Layering
d. Develop enhanced 3D skills using relevant 3D software
2. Supporting the student experience – this will include (but is not limited to):
a. Introducing post graduate and undergraduate students to the new CAD CAM
technology and supervising the use of equipment in the virtual reality Simodont lab
for surgical rehearsal.
b. Prepare virtual models for students to practice techniques and procedures
c. Develop material for demonstrations and user guides
d. Demonstrate the operation of technologies and software usage to staff and students
3. Clinical applications
a. Facilitating access for dentists and dental technicians to the latest CAD CAM milling
machines, 3-D printers, current and future equipment of the Digital Dentistry Lab.
b. Ensuring that equipment and materials are used appropriately and safely
4. Maintenance of the lab and facilities available
a. Manage the health and safety requirements of the lab and facilities
b. Ensure materials and equipment is maintained and available at the required levels
c. Develop a system for access to facilities including logs and schedules
d. Be a first point of contact for queries
You will need to be happy taking ownership of projects, exploring totally new concepts as well as
taking direction from the lead academic.
It is essential that you are keen to keep your skills and knowledge up to date and cutting edge to
ensure Leeds can progress their leading position in this field. You will therefore be supported to
attend relevant training and conferences both national and international to enable this e.g. the TCT
Show in Birmingham http://www.tctshow.com.
The job description provides a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive
list of duties and responsibilities, which will develop and change over time through natural
progression.
Relationships
You will be responsible on a day to day basis to the Digital Dentistry Academic Lead and
accountable through the Dean of the School of Dentistry and ultimately to the Dean of the Faculty
of Medicine and Health. Your post will report through the Business Management team for
professional purposes.
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the University’s values and standards, which work as
an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More
information about the University’s strategy and values is available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
Person Specification
Essential
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Experience in using Rhino and/or MeshLab software
Have computer skills related to software programs which handle 3-D data
Able to work independently, take ownership of projects with experience in exploring new
concepts
A keen interest in digital design and an understanding of the latest digital trends and
developments
An understanding of health and safety issues within the laboratory setting
Evidence of an ability to work individually and as part of a research team
Effective interpersonal skills and good ability to communicate, including verbal
communication, written skills and presentations
Ability to show initiative and judgement to resolve problems
Excellent organisational skills
Ambitious and willing to develop skills and techniques as technologies evolve
A creative self-starter with a willingness to contribute ideas
Educated to A-Level standard (or equivalent) with GCSEs in Maths and English (or
equivalent)
Desirable
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A relevant scientific degree
Experience in writing software to manipulate digital data and transform the data for new
applications
Proficiency in using AutoCAD or equivalent software
Experience in using digital data which maps 3 dimensional shapes. Experience of using
optical 3-D scanners, 3-D printers, 3-D milling machines
Experience in demonstrating and training others on software and/or equipment effectively
Previous technical experience in a scientific research environment
Experience in developing and working to standard operating procedures
Further information
Faculty Information
With more than 6,000 students, 1,600 staff and annual research income of £50m, the Faculty of
Medicine and Health at Leeds is bigger than some universities. Leeds has one of the largest
medical and bioscience research bases in the UK, and is an acknowledged world leader in cancer,
cardiovascular, psychiatric, genetic, musculo-skeletal and health services research. Treatments
developed in Leeds are transforming the lives of people around the world living with conditions
such as HIV, TB, diabetes and malaria.
The School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry is newly convened in August 2013 following a separation of the NHS Trust
and University elements of the former Leeds Dental Institute. The School is committed to the
highest standards of academic excellence and works closely with partners in the Leeds Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust to deliver high quality patient care and exceptional clinical training and
education at all levels from undergraduate teaching through to specialist registration. We aim to
underpin high quality clinical research with world class basic and applied science, in order to meet
international priority needs for research in dentistry and to deliver excellent research with impact
for patient and population benefit.
The School appointed a new Dean in 2013, Professor Helen Whelton (President of the
International Association of Dental Research 2013-2014). Professor Whelton’s plans include an
ambitious international clinical research programme, addressing unanswered questions about the
links between oral health and general health.
The School of Dentistry is situated on Level 6 of the Worsley Medical and Dental building, which also
accommodates the Dental Hospital, the Medical School and the University of Leeds Health Sciences
Library. It is situated on the southern side of the University campus half a mile from the city centre.
The School recently expanded its estate and the basic sciences, in the Division of Oral Biology, are
situated in the Wellcome Trust Brenner Building on the St James’ campus, providing high quality and
purpose built laboratory provision and access to a wide range of cutting edge facilities.
The School is organised into five administrative academic Divisions:
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Division of Applied Health and Clinical Translational Research - Head of Division: Professor S.
Pavitt
Division of Oral Biology - Head of Division: Professor J. Kirkham
Division of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology - Head of Division: Dr A. Mighell
Division of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics - Head of Division: Professor M. Duggal
Division of Restorative Dentistry – Head of Division: Professor D.V. Clerehugh
Student Experience and Education Overview
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Professor Michael Manogue - Director of Student Education
The School of Dentistry is currently the most popular dental school in the United Kingdom. We
attract more applicants than any other school for our undergraduate programmes and we are the
second largest school for undergraduate dental education in the UK.
Student education at the University of Leeds’ School of Dentistry is internationally renowned for
being both flagship and innovative, and this is evidenced by the School offering the only
undergraduate masters’ programme in dental surgery in the UK.
In tandem with our
undergraduate masters’ dental surgery programme we also offer a Diploma in Dental Hygiene and
Dental Therapy and in partnership with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, we are also involved
in the provision of Dental Nursing and Dental Technology training. This makes us unique, as we
are the only school that trains all members of the dental team. In tandem with our undergraduate
programmes we also offer an expanding portfolio of postgraduate dental programmes.
The quality of teaching on our undergraduate programmes is very high and all staff are committed
to continually developing our taught programmes. Recently the General Dental Council inspected
all our undergraduate programmes with all programmes being found to be of the highest standard.
Our programmes are completely modular and benefit from having Year and Module Leads with
Programme Leads managed under the direction of the Director of Student Education.
All members of staff within the School participate in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught
provision and this, we believe, maintains the high quality of our teaching, which is consistently
assessed by our students as being very high.
We have a student advice team, which supports all students within the school. This along with our
personal tutoring system, with which all staff engage, provides the highest levels of pastoral
support for our students.
Research Overview
In REF2014 the School of Dentistry (returned in Unit of Assessment 3: Allied Health
Professions, Dentistry, Nursing & Pharmacy) was rated very highly, with 91% of its
research rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The successful candidate will join
a group of high quality, highly active researchers. The School of Dentistry enjoys a lively, multidisciplinary research environment and has a long held reputation for excellence in interdisciplinary
research. We contribute to a number of the Faculty of Medicine and Health research themes.
Our vision is to use interdisciplinary expertise to understand the fundamental mechanisms of
disease, to identify and treat early, improve outcomes, restore function and address the needs for
prevention. We seek to extrapolate the findings and tools developed for dental research across to
biomedicine in general and position our research at the forefront of biomedical and health
sciences research. We have three Research Groups, each with internationally recognised
leadership:
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Basic Dental Sciences Research Group led by Professor J. Kirkham
Clinical Dental Research Group led by Professor D.V. Clerehugh
Dental Education Research & Scholarship Group led by Professor M. Manogue
The Groups collaborate extensively with each other and with colleagues within our Faculty
(Medicine and Health), as well as in other Faculties (e.g. Biology, Engineering, Mathematics and
Physical Sciences).
International Profile and Initiatives
In line with the University of Leeds strategy the School of Dentistry is committed to enhancing our
international profile through the development of key strategic partnerships. Formal collaborative
agreements between Leeds and Dental Schools in the Universities of Michigan, Osaka and
Nanjing have been established to promote excellence in international, multi-centre collaborative
research, particularly in clinical and translational research and regenerative technologies. Building
on shared expertise and knowledge amongst our partners we aim to work together to improve oral
health outcomes in our own communities and across the globe.
In addition to formal Memoranda of Understanding with the Universities of Michigan and Osaka we
have established a Joint Centre for Oral Health Sciences with the University of Nanjing. We are
also founder members of the World Universities Network for Oral Health Sciences, a network of
research intensive universities committed to addressing global challenges in Oral Health. The
impact from the development of our Strategic partnerships has included joint research through
staff/student exchange, resulting in publications, grant income and enhanced opportunities for
dissemination of research advances to a global audience.
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions
Details of the terms and conditions of employment for all staff at the university, including
information on pensions and benefits, are available on the Human Resources web pages
accessible via the links on the right hand side, or at http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/policies.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this position. However,
applicants who have unspent convictions must indicate this in the ‘other personal details’ section
of the application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer.
Disabled Applicants
The post is located on Levels 5 & 6 of the Worsley Building. Disabled applicants wishing to review
access to the building are invited to contact the department direct. Additional information may be
sought from the Recruitment Officer, email disclosure@leeds.ac.uk or tel + 44 (0)113 343 1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be covered
by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health conditions is
available in the applicant guidance.