Senior Technical Officer (Materials)

FTE:  1.0fte (37 hours per week)

Annual Leave: 25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Main duties & responsibilities

As a Senior Technical Officer, you will be responsible for the preparation of materials and equipment for practical, commercial and short course classes as required in one or more areas of the school. This will involve support for specialist techniques in materials for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and occasional support in other areas within the school. You will help and assist undergraduates, MSc and PhD students with their individual projects and research by providing practical guidance on the use of resources and promoting an excellent understanding of structural analysis and testing activities and techniques.You will ensure the laboratories and facilities within them are maintained in good order in accordance with health and safety legislation.

Skills and experience needed

Applicants must have proven working experience in a university or research-based laboratory with materials and mechanical testing equipment, with a strong understanding of materials science, engineering principles, and industry-standard testing procedures. Experience in health and safety management within a technical or laboratory setting, including the preparation of Risk Assessments (RAs), COSHH documentation, and safe operating procedures is essential for this role. Specialist skills are required in some or all the following: mechanical testing (e.g. tensile, hardness, fatigue), structural testing and analysis, thermal systems (e.g. refrigeration cycle, heat pump experiments), thermal and heat treatment processes, microscopy techniques, or materials characterisation workflows.

You must be able to maintain accurate records, documentation, and logs related to laboratory activities, experiments, inventory, and safety procedures, and hold up to date knowledge of current legislation and health and safety regulations relevant to this area. You will be able to demonstrate various techniques to students, staff and visitors. You will demonstrate attention to detail - the ability to follow detailed instructions comprehensively and be able to write Risk and COSHH Assessments and SOPs. You must be able to highlight material and equipment for specialist purposes, whilst being able to acquire new skills and learn new techniques.

You will demonstrate your own initiative and resourcefulness, while also being able to work as part of a team. You will be flexible to team and workload requirements, with good organisation and time management skills, the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines, with a can-do attitude to problem solving and a client focused approach.

Qualifications required

You will hold a minimum of A-levels, or equivalent qualifications, or have relevant proven experience.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work, or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work, before an offer is made. 

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr. Muhammad Aamer Hayat, m.hayat2@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 24 August

Interview date: TBC

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