Rocks Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician Teaching and Research

The Role and Department

Applications are invited for a Rock Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician in the Rock Mechanics Laboratory. The Rock Mechanics Laboratory is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to the analysis and testing of rock materials and their mechanical properties. This laboratory is designed to support a wide range of research and practical applications in geology and Earth sciences.

The post holder will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day technical functions and operations in The Department of Earth Science, providing technical and engineering related assistance throughout a busy suite of teaching laboratories plus a large and diverse selection of research laboratories, thereby ensuring smooth and efficient operation throughout both areas.  

The post holder will be required to provide flexible technical support as part of a technical team supporting all teaching and research activities conducted within The Department of Earth Science. Primarily supporting the operation of mechanical and electronic equipment; machining of rock samples; basic designing and fitting of mechanical components using conventional machine tools and techniques; monitoring of standard tests. They will also be required to monitor health and safety practice in the main laboratory and in the sample preparation room, and to carry out routine maintenance and undertake breakdown repairs of the experimental and sample preparation facilities as required.

The post holder will also be required to liaising with the Faculty of Science workshops during the commissioning and assembling of mechanical parts and with CIS/departmental IT team, for maintenance and development of the laboratory IT facilities (PCs, printers, digital cameras, etc.).

They will also be responsible for consumables and equipment used and to ensure stocks are maintained at an acceptable level, contribute to the implementation and maintain of good laboratory practice and perform basic management of laboratory databases (e.g. data record and storage, and back-up of laboratory PC’s).

Responsible to – The post-holder should report to the Rock Mechanics Laboratory managers Prof. Nicola De Paola and Prof. Stefan Nielsen.

Closing Date: 03-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

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