Physics Laboratory Technician - School of Physics and Astronomy - 8196 - Grade 5

Position Details

School of Physics and Astronomy

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £28,397 to £30,210, with potential progression once in post to £33,938

Grade: 5

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 15th July 2024

Background

The School of Physics and Astronomy is a world-leading physics department, excelling in both teaching and research. We run a variety of undergraduate Physics programmes, with an annual intake of around 170 students. We are ranked fourth, sixth and seventh out of all UK Physics departments in the three main national league tables (the Complete university Guide, Times Good University Guide, and the Guardian University Guide, respectively). Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4-star-category research. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Professor Mike Kosterlitz and Professor David Thouless jointly for their work into the discoveries of the properties of matter, work which started when they were at Birmingham together. The 2017 Prize was awarded for the detection of gravitational waves, in which Birmingham staff played a key role. The School has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School's commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications from traditionally under-represented groups in Physics and Astronomy, such as women and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups, are particularly encouraged.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Teaching Laboratory Support Team Leader, the post holder’s primary responsibility within the team is to assist with the development and servicing of the undergraduate and MSc laboratories in the Poynting Physics Building, but assistance in all teaching labs will be required. 

You will provide technical expertise, support, and guidance in support of teaching. 

You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need a significant understanding of the requirements to deliver undergraduate classes, an in-depth understanding of all main subject areas, the ability to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, and troubleshoot problems, and optimise protocols to ensure a positive student experience. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate classes. 

In order to flexibly use resource, you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

• Ensure that the apparatus and laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals and students’ projects and oversee/ensure the setup/takedown of equipment/materials used during sessions.
• Perform tests on equipment, make quantitative measurements to ensure it is functioning and correctly calibrated, and record evidence of this.
• Maintain electronic, mechanical, optical, and vacuum equipment in collaboration with the Team Leader or other members of the team. Understand equipment to a standard whereby faults can be identified, reported, and repaired or otherwise rectified (because of timetable constraints, faults and shortages must be put right without delay)
• Assist in the development of new equipment and enhancements in existing equipment, in liaison with the Team Leader and academic staff. This will encompass general and specialised instrumentation typical of a wide range of activities within the School of Physics and Astronomy.
• Assist academic staff in trials of apparatus and protocols by operating the apparatus, and recording, calculating and critically interpreting the data, for consideration by staff with expertise in the technology.
• Communicate with users of the laboratories to convey correct and safe use of equipment, techniques and procedures.
• Assist with the smooth running of laboratories, by troubleshooting and responding to problems which may occur during practical sessions, using your in-depth knowledge and your ability to diagnose/resolve problems and suggest solutions. 
• Liaise with the Engineering and Physical Sciences workshop on implementation of mechanical projects.
• Plan, based on the available timetabling information, the most efficient/effective means to set up the laboratory and turn around between the daily classes. 
• Discuss the daily programme of work with your manager and other technical staff in your area to ensure the daily programme of work, session protocols and outcomes are clear.
• Support the teaching laboratories manager where required and to deputise for them in their absence.
• Keep the teaching laboratories manager informed as to changes to protocols/sessions, content of any discussions with academic session leads and other matters relating to the teaching laboratories.
• Initiate discussion with the teaching laboratories manager on any issues that may compromise the core function of the laboratories, or for information that is related to the core functions of the teaching laboratories.
• If in a supervisory position, you will supervise the day-to-day activities of a number of other technical staff, providing support and guidance and working closely with your staff in relation to working requirements, working environment and staff wellbeing, identifying any training requirements as appropriate.
• Even if you are not in a supervisory position, you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach staff in the locality. 
• Prepare and support open day, Applicant Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the laboratories or other areas as and when required.
• Manufacture posters and other display materials, to include cutting, laminating, and framing for display, presentations, or publicity materials. Maintenance of financial records appropriate to this service will be required. (Appropriate training will be provided)

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required risk assessments, standard operating procedures and local rules are in place, approved and up to date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained. This will also involve assisting the Team Leader in the production of risk assessments.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and/or Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, laboratory supplies and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the laboratory facilities are maintained in a clean, functional, and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. 
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
• Maintain a technical support based teaching laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant teaching lab databases/records.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the Team Leader the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• A relevant science or engineering degree or substantial experience in a laboratory environment including electronics is preferred. GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• Extensive experience in maintaining and developing instrumentation used in a physical sciences based laboratory is required. This will include significant experience in the production of electronic instrumentation, including design, PCB layout, assembly, and repair; familiarity with mechanical design, including CAD, and machine-shop techniques; the use of instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators and analysers. Experience in an advanced teaching lab or similar is an advantage.
• Experience with use of computers in conjunction with hardware for measurement and control, and procedural programming (e.g., C/C++, Python, MATLAB).
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements. Must be able to take ownership of projects and drive them forward, while also dealing flexibly with immediate demands of staff and students. 
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. Must possess excellent communication skills and good interpersonal skills. The ability to interact effectively with physics teaching staff and their students is important.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly, and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager and academic lab leader, and prepare for teaching experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy. 

Internal and External relationships

This role will be advising and supporting staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as supplier company representatives.

DBS required 

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Tendai Makuwatsine, email: t.e.makuwatsine@bham.ac.uk 

View our staff values and behaviours here 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.