Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
August 2013
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Experimental Officer for Hydrodynamics
Post number:
Academic Unit/Service:
Engineering & the Environment
Career pathway:
TAE
*ERE category:
N/A
Posts responsible to:
Faculty Technical Manager
Posts responsible for:
0.5 FTE Level 3
Post base:
Non Office-based
Level:
4
Job purpose
Primarily to be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of research, teaching and enterprise activities the
Hydrodynamics Facilities within the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment. To provide technical,
experimental and training support for research and teaching activities, ensuring a safe area of operation
within the Laboratories (Energy, Hydrodynamics and Hydraulics Laboratories). Having a significant input into
the continuous improvement of the facilities, working closely with academic members of staff. Responsible
for the organisation, maintenance and repair of the laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To ensure specialist technical support, contributing to the Faculty’s research/education
activity, by designing developing and building specialist experimental apparatus and rigs.
Developing solutions, techniques and procedures for their use. Working closely and
building relationships with academic members of staff and students to improve the
facilities. Maintain facilities, instrumentation and equipment (e.g. wave tanks and wave
makers, flumes, data loggers, a wide range of transducers and sensors, PCs) both within
the Faculty’s areas and at external installations. Actively contributing to academic output
by formulating and interpreting data for use in academic submissions.
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2.
Day-to-day operation of a range of laboratory apparatus used in experiments on fluid
flows, fluid/structure interaction and microgeneration installations. Maintain records of
test programmes, measurements and data analysis techniques. Manage the use and
bookings for specific equipment/facilities. Advise on appropriate sensors, automated
control and data acquisition facilities.
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3.
Provide a safe working environment for all laboratory users, by ensuring that current safety 10
regulations/policies and good laboratory practices are followed and by organising
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
laboratory cleanliness and tidiness. Prepare Risk Assessments for the laboratories and for
specific activities.
4.
Demonstrate and advise research staff and students on techniques and the use of
specialist experimental apparatus, assisting in the interpretation of test results for
contribution to academic publications. Provide advice and support relating to the use of
any equipment or devices and operate as required.
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5.
Manage the organisation of undergraduate laboratory classes and provide assistance with
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teaching/demonstrations when required. Instruct, monitor and advise students and staff in
the use of laboratory equipment.
6.
Source and order laboratory consumable items, equipment and spares, ensuring that
stocks of commonly used consumable materials are maintained at adequate levels.
Oversee the budget of the work area, maintaining appropriate records.
7.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
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Internal and external relationships (including nature and purpose of relationships)




Close liaison with academic and other technical staff within the Faculty’s laboratories, to ensure that
joint research and teaching activities are performed with maximum efficiency where shared resources
are used.
Active involvement in internal and external meetings to provide technical expertise with a solution
focused approach,
Work with Research Assistants and Fellows with the Faculty’s research groups as appropriate.
Liaison with funding bodies for new and on-going research projects.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
Degree in an engineering or
appropriate scientific discipline or
equivalent.
Knowledge of particular techniques
used in hydrodynamics and energy
technologies.
Knowledge of laboratory
measurement and control
techniques.
Knowledge pertaining to the
operation of open channel hydraulics
and hydrodynamics applicable to
open flumes, tanks and pipeflow.
Understanding of electronic control
interfaces for experimental systems.
Data acquisition techniques and
familiarity with data processing
techniques.
Experience of laboratory and
experimental analysis.
Competence in the use of
information systems, spreadsheets
and databases.
How to be
assessed
Application
Form with
evidence of
achievement.
Data analysis and technical reporting
for scientific publications.
Knowledge of “design” softwares
such as solid works, CAD
Experience of Labview.
Design and construction of
instruments for laboratory and field
measurements.
Configuration of hardware and
software for laboratory and field
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measurements.
Planning &
organising
Ability to manage own workload and
that of others, to prioritise and meet
deadlines and to work under
pressure.
Problem solving
& initiative
Identification and correction of faults Ability to use computer packages for Application
in laboratory instrumentation and
the analysis of qualitative and
Form /
software.
quantitative data.
Interview
Management &
teamwork
Ability to analyse interpret and
resolve issues.
Data processing and extraction of
key results.
Possess a level of resourcefulness to
ensure effective, accurate task
completion.
Able to exercise initiative and work
independently.
Management of technical staff.
Promotion and development of new
techniques.
Advise research and undergraduate
students.
Communicating
& influencing
Project time management and facility Interview /
prioritisation.
References
Report writing; preparation of Risk
Assessments and publicity material
and web page construction.
Be socially equipped to work as part
of a multi-disciplinary team.
Interview
Management of student lab classes
and projects.
Oral presentations to engineering or
scientific groups.
Interview
Contribute to the preparation of
research proposals.
Adopt a flexible approach to both
the subject being investigated and
the work of the team.
Other skills &
behaviours
Ability to work both independently
and as part of a team.
Application
Form /
Interview
Willingness to attend further training
as appropriate.
Special
requirements
Possess an understanding of the key
issues associated with the study of
experimental investigations, related
to hydrodynamics, and sustainable
energy.
Prepared to travel both in the UK and Interview
abroad.
Required to work at, and between, all
University sites (including Highfield,
Boldrewood and Chilworth Campus’)
Required to transport tools and/or
equipment between these University
sites - Must Hold a full, clean Driving
Licence valid in the UK or be able to
demonstrate the ability to fulfil this
requirement by other appropriate
means.
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
OFFICE-BASED POST
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU) no further information needs to
be supplied.
NON-OFFICE BASED POST
If this post has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the
analysis below.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Y
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
N
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
N
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
Y
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
Y

Solvents/liquids/chemicals
Frequent hand washing
N
Ionising radiation
N
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
N
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
Y
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
N
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
Y
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Y
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Y
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Y
Repetitive lifting
Y
Standing for prolonged periods
Y
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
N
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
N
Gross motor grips
Y
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
N
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
N
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
N
Lone working
Y
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
N
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