UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Job Description
Job Title:
Senior Electronics Technician
Department:
Chemistry
Reports to:
Technical Support Group Manager
Grade:
8
The Post
The Electronics Workshop for the Department of Chemistry is based at 20 Gordon Street, London and in
conjunction with an Instruments Workshop constitutes the Technical Support Group.
The Technical Support Group provides a broad range of expertise in the areas of vacuum technology, pressure
systems, mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering and glassblowing, to support and facilitate the work of
the Chemistry Department.
The Group consists of four technical staff, of which this post is one, located in an integrated workshop suite. They
operate in an open, helpful and professional manner. They maintain, repair, design and build a very wide range of
equipment used in research and teaching, provide advice and instruction, and supply parts and materials to
academic, research, technical and administrative staff, and postgraduate students.
This is a pivotal role in a department whose work relies critically on electronic instrumentation and systems, whether
for research activity or undergraduate teaching. The post holder must be able to work autonomously and on their
own initiative as well as a team member of the Technical Support Group.
Main Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will have a range of duties and responsibilities, associated with the provision of electronic
support. The postholder will work with members of staff involved in academic teaching and research,
administration, finance, electronic and information services, mechanical workshops and stores.

Maintenance (preventative and breakdown), fault diagnosis and repair of electronic equipment and
instrumentation used in chemistry research and teaching, including the undergraduate teaching laboratories.

Design and construction of custom electronic scientific instrumentation.

Management and ordering of consumables and spares for equipment maintenance; also maintaining a
comprehensive stock of commonly used electronic components.

Provision of technical information, advice and materials to academic, research and technical staff and
postgraduate students.

Contribution to the writing and updating of standard operation procedures for analytical equipment.

Supervision of a small electronics student/staff workshop area and ensuring a reasonable level of
competence by occasional users.

Maintaining an inventory of major instrumentation within the Department for which the postholder has
responsibility. (Total value is in excess of £1M). Ensuring each item of equipment has a maintenance record
card.

Liaison with members of the College engineering and maintenance staff regarding electrical installation work
and maintenance of ancillary equipment such as air-conditioning and chilled water systems.

Work with academic staff to identify and prepare cases for new equipment, services and skills.

To assist with the Department’s programme of portable appliance testing (PAT).

To provide the Department with identification photographs of staff and students as required.

Contribution to training and instruction of academic, research and technical staff.

There is a requirement to lift and/or move large and heavy items on an occasional basis, training in manual
handling and lifting will be provided.

Any other general duties that may be assigned from time to time to aid the smooth running of the
Department that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Technical Support
Group Manager or the Head of Department.

The post holder will, at all times, follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities, Race Equality, Fire and
Health Safety.

As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and may be amended in
consultation with the post holder.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department of Chemistry
Person Specification for the Post of Senior Electronics Technician
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The post holder will be an experienced practical electronics engineer who has experience of working both on their own and as
part of a team.
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential

HNC/HND Electronics

GCSE or equivalent in Maths & English.
Skills and Experience
Essential

Experience of fault diagnosis and repair of electronic equipment and instrumentation, including analogue
electronics down to component level.

Ability to work from manufacturer’s schematic circuit diagrams and schematics as well as customer
sketches and verbal instructions.
Application of a systematic approach in fault diagnosis with use of appropriate techniques and test
equipment.
Prompt sourcing and procurement of replacement parts, and ordering from outside suppliers and dealing
with problems that may arise.
Proficiency in using technical manuals and circuit diagrams.

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
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Ability to design novel circuitry as required.

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Excellent soldering and repair skills
Manual skills for dismantling equipment, removal and replacement of faulty parts.
Construction of the equipment in an appropriate housing with clearly marked controls and connectors.
Commitment to appropriate preventative maintenance regimes.
Confidence in approaching manufacturers for technical advice.
A willingness to understand and interpret customer’s requirements.
Good documentation and record keeping.
Computer literate
Please note- There is a requirement to lift and move large and heavy equipment on an occasional basis, training in
manual handling and lifting will be provided.
Desirable


Experience of working in a research environment and contributing effectively to the work of a support team
in an educational environment.
Experience of instrumentation used specifically in Chemistry teaching and research e.g. pH meters,
GC/GLC equipment, spectrometers of all types – NMR, IR, UV/VIS, Mass Spec, X-ray diffraction, XPS,
SEM, TEM, HPLC.
Personal Qualities

Self-motivated and willing to learn new skills.

Good communication skills, verbal and written.

Good problem solving skills and a positive ‘can do’ attitude.

Practical 'hands-on' approach and have excellent attention to detail.

Able to work alone on own initiative and as part of a team.

Effective personal organisation and time management skills.

Ability to organise and prioritise work to meet specific deadlines.

Commitment to equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all
cultures and backgrounds.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY
The post is graded as Grade 8, the salary for which ranges from £37,382 to £44,607 per annum (excluding
London Allowance of £2,834 pa). Starting salary is usually £37,382. Progression through the salary scale is
incremental. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1st August
each year.
PROBATION
Appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a probationary period of 9 months.
HOURS OF WORK
Full time hours average 36.5 hours per week and times of work are as determined by the Head of Department
.
General terms and conditions for Support Staff
Please go to the link at:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/salary_scales/ss710tc.php
Apply online at:
https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5041178&ownertype=fair&jcode=1307086
You will need to register to use the system if you have not used it before and are able to do this after
you have clicked on the 'Apply now' button at the bottom of the page.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 20th March 2013.
Thank you for your interest in this post and the Department of Chemistry at UCL