Please note: Transitional pay points within Grades B, C, F and G will be removed from 01 August 2026. Appointments made on or after this date will be to the relevant substantive pay point within the grade. Where an appointment is made to a transitional pay point before 01 August 2026, salary will automatically move to the relevant substantive pay point within the grade from 01 August 2026.
About Birmingham City University
At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.
Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.
Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.
By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.
Role Summary
We are seeking a Technician – Product Innovation & STEAM to join the Maker Lab team at STEAMhouse. Working at the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), you will support students, academics, entrepreneurs, SMEs, creative practitioners and industry partners to transform ideas into prototypes, products and impactful innovations. Working alongside colleagues across Product Innovation and the Maker Lab, you will deliver technical expertise, demonstrations, practical support and collaborative innovation activity across our workshops and technical facilities, directly feeding into our newly launched STEAM at BCU Strategy.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide technical expertise, demonstrations and practical support across the Maker Lab and wider STEAMhouse facilities.
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Support product development, prototyping and multidisciplinary making activities.
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Deliver technical inductions, demonstrations and practical workshops.
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Support students, academics, researchers, members and external partners in the safe use of specialist equipment.
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Advise on manufacturing processes, materials and production techniques.
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Prepare equipment, materials and technical spaces for enterprise, skills, teaching, research and commercial activity.
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Maintain workshop equipment, tools and technical resources.
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Promote excellent health and safety practices and contribute to a collaborative technical environment.
Essential Requirements
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HND, Foundation Degree, Degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant technical or creative discipline.
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Practical experience gained within industry, higher education or another technical environment.
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Experience providing technical support, demonstrations or practical training.
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Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable Requirements
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IOSH Working Safely, IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH or equivalent (training will be provided if required).
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Experience supporting learning and teaching within higher education.
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Experience in one or, preferably, several areas including product design, engineering, fabrication, digital manufacturing, 3D printing, CAD/CAM, CNC, woodworking, metalworking, prototyping, textiles, printmaking, creative technologies or innovation support.
Further Information
STEAMhouse is Birmingham City University's centre for collaborative innovation. Through collaboration, experimentation and interdisciplinary working, we provide an environment where people from different backgrounds can explore ideas, challenge conventional thinking and create new products, services and experiences.
If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Product Innovation and the Maker Lab, we would love to hear from you.
This is an onsite role 5 days per week.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Head of Product Innovation & Technical Services at [email protected].
Interviews for this role are envisioned to take place in the week commencing 3 August 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University
Why work for us
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Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
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Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
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Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
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Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.
Visa Sponsorship
This role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. We are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.
Disability Confident Employer
Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.
