University of Birmingham
Senior Technician (Casting) - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 107636 - Grade 5
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Position Details
School of Metallurgy and Materials
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary: normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883
Grade: 5
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2027
Closing date: 1st September 2026
Background
The role is within the Casting Group in the School of Metallurgy and Materials. This is an opportunity to work on an industrially funded project which is developing new casting technology for a UK based facility. Under the direction of the academic lead, the role will require both experimentation in a laboratory setting and also supporting project work in other groups. The key areas of interest are casting moulds and thermal management technology as well as understanding the reactivity between the molten metal and the foundry moulds. There will be interaction with the customer as we support their overall programme.
Please note: The role holder will be expected to operate induction furnace equipment. The electromagnetic fields from the equipment may induce currents causing heating of metallic implants. Regulations and HSE guidance identify several groups who are likely to have a higher susceptibility to the potential effects of exposure. Accordingly, those people fitted with active medical implants (such as cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators), passive medical implants (such as artificial joints, pins, plates etc) and those wearing body-worn medical devices (such as insulin infusion pumps) will need to state this, if called for interview, and be prepared to discuss the impact of the implant on the ability to undertake the role.
Role Summary
You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. 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 an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.
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
The role holder will be required to learn the operation of casting equipment and the development of analogue systems to support process modelling.
- You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental laboratories.
- You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
- You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
- Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
- You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
- Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
- Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
- You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.
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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.
- Postholders 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.
- 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 research lab databases/records.
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.
- 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
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- Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
- GCSE level 2 (A*- C/9-4) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
- Ability to work with electrical induction equipment
- Prior knowledge of casting is advantageous
- 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 work load 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 policies and procedures
OH 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 Occupational Health clearance prior to appointment.
Informal enquiries to Peter Miles, email: p.miles@bham.ac.uk
View our staff values and behaviours here
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.
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