Job description

The Department of Geography (School of Global Affairs) is looking to appoint a technician to provide technical engineering expertise to the departmental electronics workshop. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for running departmental workshop facilities, leading on innovation, development and support of research equipment utilising microcontrollers (Arduino, RPi, Particle). The role holder will also be responsible for continued prototyping, support and maintenance of electronic sensors (meteorological, chemical, gaseous etc) intended for worldwide field deployment.

The role will include involvement with broader technical activities, such as teaching, student support and management of the departmental geospatial and UAV facilities.

The post holder will be expected to undertake the following administrative duties:

• Regularly updating workshop risk assessments and procedures,
• Holding workshop inductions or new users and procedures
• Continued statutory compliance within the workspace.

This post reports to the Laboratory and School Resource Manager and will work directly with researchers, academic staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and suppliers, as required. Together with the Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Technician, the candidate will oversee a safe, efficient and professional working environment in laboratory and workshop spaces and will be expected to be an active member of the local user group and safety committee. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential. 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract 

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

•         Running the departmental electronics workshop, developing, maintaining and manufacturing research equipment utilising microcontrollers for active deployment.

•         Research and development of new sensors and sensor technologies, including rapid prototyping, PCB design, IoT communication protocols, data collection methods and testing.

•         Undertake calibration of new and existing environmental sensors, and undertake detailed analysis to present research data to end users.

•         Working with researchers and students within the department to design equipment for specific research application.

•         Organise, manage and maintain all workshop tools and machinery, including hand tools, power tools, 3D printer, soldering equipment, LEV.

•         To provide practical support with operating machinery for working with wood, metal and plastic, and undertaking wiring /cabling/ soldering work as necessary.

•         Ensure safe operations are maintained within the workshop, including running safety inductions, workplace inspections, reviewing risk assessments / standard operating procedures and continued statutory compliance.

•         Maintaining an organised workshop, ensuring components are kept in order and in stock and preserving completed electronic sensors and equipment.

•         Management of departmental geospatial / UAV / drone equipment (DJI Mavic Pro and Mavic Minis).

•         Involvement with undergraduate and postgraduate teaching involving environmental sensors, UAV applications.

•         Assist in the preparation of field equipment for student fieldtrips and fieldwork.

•         Liaise with the Laboratory Manager to advise on cost effective and efficient ways of meeting the departmental demands of the workshop.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.       Higher degree or equivalent relevant experience in an electronics workshop

2.       Extensive experience of programming microcontroller technologies (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Particle)

3.       Thorough knowledge of IoT technologies, data parsing, collection, analysis and interpretation.

4.       Prior involvement with HE sector teaching.

5.       Knowledge and experience of practical workshop skills, use of hand and power tools, working with various materials, PCB design, 3D printing and prototyping.

6.       Experience of providing technical support with the safe use of workshop machinery.

7.       Experience of maintaining compliance with relevant safety regulations.

8.       Ability to work autonomously on tasks once relevant training and directions are provided

9.       Proactive work ethic and creative approaches to problem solving

10.   Excellent communication skills and an ability to work with a wide range of people and groups

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience of running / managing an electronics workshop

2.       Knowledge of environmental sensors, including measurement of meteorological, chemical, gaseous and physical parameters.

3.       Ability to program and troubleshoot data loggers.

4.       Experience using geospatial equipment/UAV’s/drones and knowledge of CAA regulations.

5.       Formal safety qualification (e.g. IOSH managing safely).

  This post is subject to an Occupational Health clearance