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 Technician you will work as an integral member of the School’s core technical team. Reporting to Senior Technicians and Technical Managers, you will assist in the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to maintaining a range of specialist equipment to support research activities. More specifically, you will provide general and experimental support to our Animal Model and Histology technical hubs. You will provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and to colleagues, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and ordering consumables.

You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognized for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical support to our mammalian model research activities, assisting our researchers and performing husbandry and experimental duties with minimal supervision from senior colleagues.
• Support the daily running of the School’s histology laboratories to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence. Perform research experiments as required with a good level of independence, providing troubleshooting and data analysis support.
• Present data and results to research groups and wider audiences as required.
• Perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work, with a good appreciation for legal and ethical compliance and confidentiality.
• Maintain lab databases, including CoSHH, husbandry records, stocks, etc.
• Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service across the School. Liaise with colleagues regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
• Provide technical advice and training/demonstrations in the use of specialised equipment to staff, students, and visitors, ensuring that Health and Safety is maintained throughout.
• Support the School and assist in the delivery of practical teaching for UG and PGT courses.
• Contribute to short term projects within own work area or contribute as part of larger, School-wide project teams to support the achievement of project objectives.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the School with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
• Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations.  Provide safety information to staff and students and assist with creating relevant safety documentation. Maintain appropriate records for own work area and report breaches of H&S to senior colleagues. Attend all required safety and training courses, and comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations at all times.
• Work collaboratively across the School providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework.
• As a member of staff 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 shortly after the advert closing date. This will consist of a job interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week following the advert 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 the Staffing Team at smph-west-staffing@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.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

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.