Position Details
Collaborative Teaching Laboratory
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883
Grade: 5
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 16th September 2026
Background
The Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham brings together practical teaching activities for over 3000 students each year from a broad range of science and engineering disciplines. This facility consists of multidisciplinary laboratories, designed to provide a sector-leading learning experience for students. In addition, this multidisciplinary approach provides the environment to encourage and facilitate collaborative and interdisciplinary work for both staff and students.
This facility continues to build on an initial investment of over £45 million, utilizing its scale to innovate across disciplines and open new ways to deliver laboratory-based teaching that inspires and prepares our graduates for their future professions.
The shared spaces, practices, management and support make more effective and efficient use of staff time and resources. The CTL provides a visually stimulating and interactive environment in which to showcase STEM subjects to a wider audience, providing flexible spaces for public engagement, widening participation, recruitment, conferences and continuing professional development. These activities are aligned with the University’s 2030 strategy and impact on local, national and international audiences.
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 5 th , 4 th and 5 th 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). For 2026, we came top in the Russell Group in the National Student Survey (NSS). The School has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff.
Role Summary
Reporting to the Team Leader, the post holder’s primary responsibility within the team is to assist with the set-up, servicing and development of apparatus used for teaching experiments and demonstrations in the physics undergraduate teaching laboratories.
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
- If in a supervisory position, you will supervise the day-to-day activities of a number of other technical staff.
- You will provide support and guidance and work closely with your staff in relation to working requirements, working environment, 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.
- You will discuss the daily programme of work with your manager and other technical staff in the area to ensure the daily programme of work, session protocols and outcomes are clear.
- You will plan, based on the available timetabling information, the most efficient/effective means to turnaround the daily classes.
- You will research, design, trial & modifying practical protocols for class teaching.
- Support the teaching laboratories managers where required and to deputise for them in their absence.
- Keeping 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.
- Instruct and provide high level technical support for students in the correct and safe handling of laboratory and equipment including preparation of samples, analysis methods and preparation techniques.
- 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.
- Oversee that the laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals and the setup/takedown of equipment/materials used during sessions.
- Check practical layouts prior to classes and ensure that all requirements are in place.
- Be familiar with the use of a broad spectrum of general laboratory equipment and specialised equipment.
- Demonstrate equipment use, high level techniques and procedures to staff and students.
- Trouble-shoot and respond to problems, which may occur during practical sessions, using your in-depth knowledge and your ability to diagnose/resolve problems and suggest solutions.
- Ensure that the apparatus and laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals and students’ projects, including the setup and takedown of equipment and materials used during sessions. Plan the most efficient means to set up the laboratory and turn around between timetabled sessions. Assist academic staff in the smooth running of laboratory sessions.
- Perform tests on equipment, make quantitative measurements to ensure it is functioning and correctly.
- In collaboration with other members of the team, ensure electronic, mechanical, optical, and vacuum equipment is diagnosed, repaired, replaced or restocked as necessary. Because of timetable constraints, faults and shortages must be put right without delay.
- Assist in the development of new equipment in liaison with the Team Leader and academic staff. This will include operating the apparatus, recording and collating data. Liaise with workshop and IT staff as required.
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 assessments 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.
- 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 laboratory.
- 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.
General Administration and Organisation
- Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
- Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
- Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
- Ensuring that the 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.
Other Duties
- In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
- Treats everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation. Respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures.
- Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Experience in some of the techniques used in a physical science-based laboratory is mandatory. These could include the production of electronics, including design, PCB manufacture and repair; mechanical design, CAD and machine-shop techniques; the use of instruments such as oscilloscopes, signal generators and analysers; the use of microcontrollers and PC-based data acquisition, the use of laser- optical- telescope- or vacuum systems.
- Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. Must possess excellent communication skills (both oral and written) and good interpersonal skills. The ability to interact effectively with students and teaching staff is important.
- Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
- GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
- In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
- Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
- 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.
- Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
- 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.
- Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
- Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.
- Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document .
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 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 company representatives.
Informal enquiries to Xen Sergi, email: [email protected]
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
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 .
