Overview
As a Support Technician, you will be a member of the School’s technical community. Ideally, you should have foundation and early career experience across a range of engineering disciplines as the role is multidisciplinary. The aptitude to learn and be adaptable is key for this position. This role will see you assist in the planning, design, manufacture and maintenance of a range of specialist equipment to support internationally recognised research activities. We expect staff to adopt high working standards to ensure the Schools technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.
Main duties and responsibilities
Assist in the training, set-up, calibration, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
Assist Senior Technical staff in the daily running of the Laboratories to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
Assist in the manufacture and construction of experimental test apparatus/equipment, using a wide range of laboratory and engineering skills in both workshops and laboratories.
Assist researchers and students to carry out experimental testing across a range of civil and structural engineering materials and collect test data when required. Store and handle data in line with legislation complying with ethical codes of conduct.
Provide a high standard of customer service.
Make suggestions for service improvement.
Maintain and monitor test specimens and conditioning environments.
Ensure risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures for equipment are in place and current.
Thoroughly carry out any additional H&S responsibilities delegated to you by your line manager, understanding and completing technical documentation to ensure compliance.
Assist with providing technical support for fieldwork projects. This may include installing field/site monitoring equipment, instrumentation and data logging systems. Note – this work will be under the supervision of a senior technician or researcher and involve travel to field sites, the work may occasionally require working outside normal hours and stays in overnight accommodation.
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.
Experience equivalent to minimum qualifying GCSE grade in English and Maths, or equivalent Level 2 qualification.
Demonstrable vocational skills and experience inline with the job description.
Use IT applications and other relevant technology and systems.
Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines.
Ability to communicate technical information, both written and verbal.
Foundation knowledge of safe working practices and Health and Safety in laboratory/workshop environments.
Foundation Mechanical engineering workshop skills - machining, fitting, use of standard workshop equipment, techniques and precision measuring instruments.
Some experience of working within a technical support environment.
Working towards professional registration (e.g RSciTech, EngTech orICTTech).
Be solution focused, with a ‘positive’ and ‘can do’ attitude.
Further Information
https://sheffield.ac.uk/mac
For informal enquiries about this job contact Phillip Pickstock, School Technical Manager: on
[email protected].
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 15th June 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 8th June 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 (
[email protected]).
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
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
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.
