Job Description

Salary

UH5 28,778pa to 32,080pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full Time

Job category/type

Professional/Technical

Job reference

REQ000098

Post Title:

Senior Technical Officer (Materials)

SBU/Department:

School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science

FTE:

1.0fte

(

working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract:

Permanent

Salary:

UH5 28,778pa to 32,080pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave:

25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location:

College Lane Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

The School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science (SPECS) is seeking to appoint a Senior Technical Officer (STO) to support core teaching and research activities in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering laboratories. This role is part of our established technical team based in the SPECTRA building, a purpose-built, modern facility equipped with advanced teaching and research laboratories.

Main duties & responsibilities

As a Senior Technical Officer in the Materials area, you will be responsible for the preparation of materials and equipment for practical, commercial and short course classes as required in one or more areas of the school. This will mainly involve support for specialist techniques in materials area for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and occasional support in other areas within the school. You will help and assist undergraduates, MSc and PhD students with their individual projects and research, contributing to their learning experience by providing practical guidance on the use of resources and promoting an excellent understanding of structural analysis and testing activities and techniques. You will ensure the laboratories and the facilities within them are maintained in good order in accordance with health and safety legislation.

Furthermore, you will be involved in demonstrating the safe use of testing kit, technical equipment and specialist skills to all groups of staff and students and providing specialist and general assistance to students to enable them to carry out their work.

Skills and experience needed

Applicants must have proven working experience in a university or research-based laboratory with materials and mechanical testing equipment, with a strong understanding of materials science, engineering principles, and industry-standard testing procedures. Experience in health and safety management within a technical or laboratory setting, including the preparation of Risk Assessments (RAs), COSHH documentation, and safe operating procedures is essential for this role. Specialist skills are required in some or all the following: mechanical testing (e.g. tensile, hardness, fatigue), structural testing and analysis, thermal systems (e.g. refrigeration cycle, heat pump experiments), thermal and heat treatment processes, microscopy techniques, or materials characterisation workflows.

You must be able to maintain accurate records, documentation, and logs related to laboratory activities, experiments, inventory, and safety procedures, and hold up to date knowledge of current legislation and health and safety regulations relevant to this area. You will be able to demonstrate various techniques to students, staff and visitors. You will demonstrate attention to detail - the ability to follow detailed instructions comprehensively and be able to write Risk and COSHH Assessments and SOPs. You must be able to highlight material and equipment for specialist purposes, whilst being able to acquire new skills and learn new techniques.

You will demonstrate your own initiative and resourcefulness in your work, while also being able to work as part of a team. You will be flexible to team and workload requirements with good organisation and time management skills, the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines, with a can-do attitude to problem solving and a client focused approach. Good communication and interpersonal skills in dealing with researchers, staff and students are essential for this role.

Qualifications required

You will hold a minimum of A-levels, or equivalent qualifications, or have relevant proven experience. A recognised qualification in an appropriate subject at degree or HNC/HND level or equivalent is desirable.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work, or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work, before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries:

Dr. Muhammad Aamer Hayat, Principal Technical Officer, m.hayat2@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date:

24 August 2025

Interview date:

TBC

Reference Number:

REQ000098

Date Advert Placed:

05 August 2025

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts