Senior Painting Technician

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff. 

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities. 

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential. 

By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond. 

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Technician in Painting to join our School of Art, supporting the delivery of high-quality services across the University. 

In this role, you will support specialist teaching and technical services in the School of Art, bringing expertise in contemporary and traditional painting, materials, and processes.

This position focuses on supporting contemporary fine art painting practice, including:

• Traditional and contemporary paint-making techniques
• Surface preparation across a range of substrates
• Application of oil, acrylic, and water-based media
• Sustainable material practices and eco-conscious processes
• Awareness and integration of current developments in painting technologies

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technical instruction and demonstrations to students through 1:1 support and group sessions.
• Support student learning and project development to enable high-quality creative outcomes.
• Maintain and manage painting facilities, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective operation.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, material stock control, and ordering processes.
• Manage bookings for workshops, appointments, and demonstrations.
• Develop, implement, and review health and safety documentation, ensuring compliance at all times.
• Promote and embed sustainable working practices within the painting area.
• Manage equipment loans and ensure accurate tracking of resources.
• Carry out general workshop upkeep and maintain high standards of housekeeping.
• Work collaboratively with academic staff to align technical delivery with curriculum goals.
• Support and collaborate with technical colleagues, contributing to team development and knowledge sharing.
• Provide technical support for assessments, exhibitions, and project delivery.
• Maintain clear documentation of processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to advance specialist knowledge.

Essential Requirements

• A degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of qualifications, skills, and experience.
• Practice-based knowledge of the technical application of both water-based and oil-based paints on a variety of supports.
• Specialised skills in making and applying a range of mediums for oil, acrylic and other water-based paints.
• Strong understanding of surface preparation techniques, including:
  • Traditional gesso preparation
  • Polymer sizing
  • Oil-based primers
  • Acrylic grounds. 
• Thorough understanding of Health and Safety concerns specific to painting, including proper handling and disposal of solvents, mediums, pigments, and paint bodies.
• Experience managing and organising production facilities and equipment, ensuring operational efficiency and safety.
• The ability to transform conceptual designs and prototypes into high-quality, tangible outcomes.
• Comprehensive knowledge spanning various materials and manufacturing processes, facilitating innovative and interdisciplinary project development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of sustainable practices and eco-conscious materials.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in supporting exhibitions or gallery setup.
• Knowledge of a variety of painting techniques and approaches.
• Proficient in making a range of paints, including water-based paints (watercolour, gouache, casein, egg tempera, etc.), oil, and acrylic paints.
• Comprehensive knowledge spanning the histories of pigment paints and colour mixing, including a proficient understanding of different colour palettes used throughout the continuum of art history to today.
• Practical experience with paint application on a variety of 2D and 3D surfaces.
• First Aid training.
• COSHH qualification.
• IOSH/NEBOSH qualification.
• Knowledge of Current Contemporary Art and Industry Trends.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of School of Art, we would love to hear from you. 

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Christopher Hay at Christopher.hay@bcu.ac.uk. 

Interviews for this role are envisioned to take place in the week commencing 1 June 2026.

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company, BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re-enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University. 

Why work for us

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent). 
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career. 
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits. 
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs. 

Visa Sponsorship 

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential. 

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

Further Details: Job Description

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Friday 15 May 2026