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

The School Of Chemical and Biological Engineering is looking to recruit a Technical Specialist to support research, teaching and industrial collaborations and partnerships in the field of electron microscopy techniques

The Technical Specialist-Electron Microscopy will be at the heart of our research facilities. The post holder will be responsible for supporting technical operation and key research competencies across the School at the University of Sheffield.

You will specialise and develop specialisms in key area(S) of electron microscopy, for example - Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and other advanced SEM analytical and imaging techniques, with the aim of bridging the gap between academic research and applications for high-value manufacturing sectors and the development of new programmes of collaborative and translational research.

The successful candidate will have deep technical knowledge of electron microscopy and ideally will have some industrial experience or working with industry. If you are interested in being part of a new world-leading facility for the discovery of new materials within a world top 100 University, then this is a great opportunity for you.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective plans for the management of resources including, equipment usage, instrument configuration, deadlines, project milestones and client research aims, reporting to your line manager and collaborators on a regular basis. 

• Manage on a day-to-day basis the operation and administration of the facilities' instrumentation, specialising in one or more of the following techniques  with the ability to provide advice, user training and high-quality images or quantitative analytical output: Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM), Electron Probe Microanalysis, (EPMA) and/or general SEM techniques. 

• Support related techniques including routine alignments, calibrations and maintenance. Liaising with instrument service providers as a primary point of contact. 

• Support the preparation of high-quality samples for internal and external researchers, industrial collaboration and students

• Undertake detailed characterisation of a wide range of materials using advanced electron microscopy techniques

• Work to develop service resilience by identifying skills gaps in operational capability Cross-skilling and training to ensure service continuity is achieved.

• Undertake work for internal and external stakeholders and customers within the School, University and Henry Royce Institute framework and broader electron microscopy facility user base, for example; students, researchers and industrial collaborations with a view to generating high-quality research output or income.

• Liaise and collaborate with the Royce@Sheffield team, industrial sponsors, and other stakeholders. Provide regular project updates, detailed reports, and professional presentations to ensure alignment with objectives and deliverables 

• Support the broader electron microscopy activities within the Sorby Centre for Electron Microscopy and Royce, providing advice and guidance on the capabilities to support research and translational work in materials characterisation.

• Create and maintain appropriate standard operating procedures, service reports and training records. Ensure that Health and Safety procedures are implemented and kept up to date; consistent with the School, Faculty and University policies 

• Organise and maintain software or hardware updates for all instrumentation. Support instrumentation with the development of new analysis procedures. 

• Generate regular project update reports and presentations and deliver them to the project sponsors at technical review meetings. 

• Engage with the wider operational activities within the electron microscopy facility such as maintaining the availability of essential consumables and general housekeeping. 

• Promotion of the facilities' resources through the preparation and delivery of case studies, small group workshops and seminars in the area of expertise and provide advice and guidance on the capabilities to support research and translational work in material characterisation. 

• Contribute to the preparation of journal and conference articles to disseminate research findings in high-quality Journals and at conferences as appropriate. 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant literature, instrumentation and best practice (through workshops and relevant online forum discussions) and seek to investigate new avenues for material characterisation using EM techniques. 

• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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.

Essential Criteria

• Have a good honours degree (or equivalent experience). 

• Hold a PhD (or be close to completion) or have equivalent experience in materials science, engineering or physical science or any other relevant discipline.

• Broad-ranging experience in advanced electron microscopy, with particular focus on Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM). Ideally candidates will also have experience of Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) and/or general SEM techniques.

• Experience in, or awareness of a number of EM imaging and quantitative analysis techniques inclusive of EDS/WDS, EBSD, EDX and FIB. Experience in the preparation of high-quality samples for advanced electron microscopy techniques.

• Experience of working and communicating with a team of staff and motivate high performance in others.

• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team, adapting own skills to circumstances and working to deliver either independently or as part of a team.

• Ability to help and be proactive in the management of a collaborative project that has multiple industry and academic partners. 

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations to both academic and industrial partners. 

• The ability to write or contribute to research proposal development.

• The ability to write technical and scientific reports with minimal supervisory help.   

• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem-solving.

• Ability to analyse and solve problems in a timely manner with an appreciation of longer-term implications. 

• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities to meet key project deadlines.  

• Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts throughout own work area. 

• Detailed awareness and full commitment to the relevant Health and Safety regulations including experience carrying out and documenting risk assessments and COSHH assessments.

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will consist of an interview.  We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible following the closing date.  If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact steph.cox@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 41 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 : 26/11/2025 

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.