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

You will be responsible for management of the Archaeology and Heritage Science Facility. You will manage the collections, and oversee the instrumentation in the laboratory, ensuring safe working practices, training staff, and postgraduate students. You will also advise on sample preparation and methodology. You will be responsible for the financial management of the facility, ensuring appropriate cost mechanisms are used to recoup running costs and you will liaise with academic staff to provide accurate estimates of usage for inclusion in grant applications

Reporting to the School of Biosciences Technical Manager, and working closely with the Facilities Governance Team, you will provide specialist input into the business model and future planning for the Facility.

Educated to a minimum of MSc level in Biosciences, you will have experience working with, managing and caring for archaeological and heritage science collections and a proven track record in the application of the technical skills associated with using and demonstrating a variety of instrumentation. As you will be responsible for management of the Archaeology and Heritage Science Facility, managing the collections, and overseeing the instrumentation in the laboratory, ensuring safe working practices, training staff, and postgraduate students, IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent safety qualification) would be an advantage.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Advise on and manage the archaeological, biological and heritage science collections including the ethical management of acquisitions, disposals and loans, and sharing best practices.
• Manage the collections’ storage facilities, meeting sector-standard conservation levels. Advise colleagues on storage requirements, presentation, secure movement and access arrangements
• Manage the collections’ associated data collection, meeting sector-standards regarding ethical record keeping, data curation, access, and referencing. Advise colleagues on best practices, including data deposition requirements and access arrangements. 
• Train academic staff and students to use the equipment and to design appropriate experimental approaches for their research.
• Manage the facility bookings and finance
• Develop induction and training for all users and ensure records of these are kept.
• Liaise with the Technical Operations  Team for EFM issues relating to the fabric of the building, services, and statutory maintenance.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate costing mechanism for inclusion in grant applications, in liaison with finance colleagues, with the objective of the facility to become financially self-sustaining.
• Financial responsibility for the Facility budget.
• Management of the local safety requirements in the Facility including training records, and competency.
• Membership of the School safety team with respect to regulations pertaining to the specialist equipment and instrumentation. For example, responsibility for XRF instrumentation.
• Excellent communication skills, to present complex data, and convey technical information.
• Proactively research up to date knowledge in the field. Investigate and implement improvements to services and equipment. EG identifies sources of funding and apply for these with appropriate collaborations in the academic community and across the University.
• Ability to write the scientific and specification documents for the tendering and service of Facility equipment.
• Ability to provide scientific data in a format for submission to publishing and to advise others on how to achieve this.
• Understand, write, promote and apply COSHH/Risk Assessment and health and safety protocols for the specialist equipment. Ensure that users of the equipment are given appropriate safety training and advice; including taking on specific safety roles where required. Ensure that legislative and regulatory safety testing of the specialist equipment is carried out and documentation is completed.
• As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Technical and Professional Services Shared Skills framework
• You will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible
• 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 in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview and a practical test (full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you are shortlisted for interview and need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@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; 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 : 14/12/2025 

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.