Senior Teaching Technician

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883

Reporting to the Team Leader, the post holder’s primary responsibility within the team is to assist with the set-up, servicing and development of apparatus used for teaching experiments and demonstrations in the physics undergraduate teaching laboratories.

You will provide technical expertise and support to academic teaching staff. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need a significant understanding of the technical aspects of apparatus in undergraduate physics classes, the ability to respond quickly and positively by troubleshooting problems, and adapting to changes in protocols, to ensure a positive experience for practical laboratory teaching staff and their students. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate classes. In order to flexibly use resource, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

• Ensure that the apparatus and laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals and students’ projects, including the setup and takedown of equipment and materials used during sessions. Plan the most efficient means to set up the laboratory and turn around between timetabled sessions. Assist academic staff in the smooth running of laboratory sessions.
• Perform tests on equipment, make quantitative measurements to ensure it is functioning and correctly calibrated, and record evidence of this.
• In collaboration with other members of the team, ensure electronic, mechanical, optical, and vacuum equipment is diagnosed, repaired, replaced or restocked as necessary. Because of timetable constraints, faults and shortages must be put right without delay.
• Assist in the development of new equipment in liaison with the Team Leader and academic staff. This will include operating the apparatus, recording and collating data. Liaise with workshop and IT staff as required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Experience in some of the techniques used in a physical sciences based laboratory is mandatory. These could include the production of electronics, including design, PCB manufacture and repair; mechanical design, CAD and machine-shop techniques; the use of instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators and analysers; the use of microcontrollers and PC-based data acquisition, including programming in e.g. Python, C++ or Matlab; the use of laser- optical- telescope- or vacuum systems.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. Must possess excellent communication skills (both oral and written) and good interpersonal skills. The ability to interact effectively with students and teaching staff is important. 

Informal enquires can be made to Xen Sergi, x.serghi@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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