Overview

As a Technician you will work as an integral member of the Schools existing Structural Integrity group. Reporting to Technical Manager and or Technical specialist, the post holder will be responsible for providing a comprehensive and enthusiastic technical service for staff, students and external customers across the School’s Materials/Structures and ICAIR Laboratories. This will involve providing support for a number of research, teaching and commercial activities. You will provide advice and guidance on a broad range of technical issues to support experimental work as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student projects. The post will involve calibrating, operating and maintaining a variety of general and specialist equipment/ instrumentation as well as designing and building experimental rigs. You will also provide training and demonstrations on the operation of technical equipment and safe working practices, ensuring appropriate records are maintained. In addition, you will undertake administrative support tasks, for example, order materials and invoicing. The postholder will be responsible for laboratory-based research support, equipment maintenance, and health and safety compliance.

It is expected that approximately 80% of the role will be laboratory-based, with potentially the remaining 20% involving workshop-related activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Providing a comprehensive, enthusiastic and high-quality technical service to staff, students and external customers across the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering’s Materials, Structures and ICAIR Laboratories. Provide advice and guidance on a range of technical issues.

• Carry out maintenance, servicing, modification and repair on a variety of instrumentation and equipment. Work to ensure failures and breakdowns have limited impact upon day-to-day laboratory activity. 

• Liaise with equipment suppliers and engineers to arrange more complex repairs as required.

• Provide in-depth mechanical workshop and electrical engineering expertise, knowledge and skills to design, develop and build complex experimental test rigs and test instrumentation/control systems. Working to high engineering standards and tolerances.

• Use of CAD and advanced manufacturing techniques to design parts and assemblies for use in the lab.

• Prepare and set up complex experiments, instrumentation and data acquisition/control systems. Assist with experimental testing and the collection of test data i.e. non-destructive and destructive testing of concrete and steel specimens applying forces up to 1000kN.

• Set up, operate, maintain and repair servo-hydraulic power systems and load actuators for experimental tests.

• Provide cost estimates and timescales for work to support research and teaching.

• Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant health and safety rules and regulations. Create complex Health and Safety documentation, records and databases and generate reports as necessary.

• Experience of applying workplace Health and Safety in a Laboratory environment. (Including the ability to conduct risk and COSHH assessments to a high standard).

• 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 on 19/01/2026. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 12/01/2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Katie Bell (kathrine.bell@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.