The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

As a Support Technician, you will be an integral member of our existing technical support team. Reporting to the Technical Manager Experimentation and Characterisation and Technical Specialist(Advanced Characterisation), you will support the School’s teaching and research activities by providing an effective and efficient technical service in the field of general laboratory management and laboratory analytical and characterisation techniques. 

This will include supporting undergraduate and postgraduate student projects as well as a range of academic research projects. You will adopt high working standards and have the ambition to grow and develop your laboratory-based technical skills to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Reporting to the Technical Manager - Experimentation and Characterisation and Technical Specialist - Advanced Characterisation, provide general laboratory operational support in the field of basic characterisation.
• Support operational, maintenance and training capability for analytical instrumentation, inclusive of thermal analysis, particle sizing, UV/IR spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction 
• Support delivery, installation and training on new instrumentation
• To work with your line manager, technical colleagues and researchers to support infrastructure, ordering, storage maintenance and general laboratory techniques and instrumentation 
• Assist in lab inductions and access control for laboratory users.
• Contribute to the writing of safety documentation for own work and in support of equipment and/or methods being undertaken in laboratories
• Assist in the training of staff and students in the use of general equipment.
• Plan ahead to ensure that adequate levels of communal stocks and consumables are maintained. Liaise with suppliers, laboratory users and procurement team as necessary.
• Carry out general lab duties to maintain equipment and keep laboratories safe and tidy. 
• Provide cover for core duties in the absence of other members of the technical team
• Report urgent repairs to Estates and Facilities Management in the absence of the team leader and with the support of more senior members of staff as required. 
• Responsible for PAT testing all new electrical equipment and adding to the asset database 
• Operate specialist equipment in support of research activities
• Provide a point of contact for arranging courier services. 
• Have fire marshal responsibilities.
• As a Technical professional, demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place 2 weeks after the closing date. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact cmbe-staffing-contracts@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can-be-found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 05/05/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.