Laboratory Technician - Robotic

Role Description

Department

The University of York has established the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology which formally launched on 1 August 2022. We bring physicists and engineers together to push the frontiers of knowledge, foster innovation and meet the grand challenges facing society. Our aim is to develop new technologies that work for the public good, in an environment where everyone can thrive. 

As a School, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to our culture and we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups and offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds. Physics is proud to hold Juno Champion, and Athena Swan silver awards. Engineering is similarly proud of their Athena Swan bronze award. These awards recognise our commitment to creating a fully inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and students can thrive. We aim to inspire young people to engage with science and engineering through our outreach work.

"You will be part of a small team that will run, maintain and develop the laboratory support. Your team will be

part of a larger multi-discipline technical team that spans the whole of Engineering, and you will work closely

with colleagues from this larger team as well as colleagues from the School and other departments." 

Role

The main focus of the role will be in delivery of technical support, as a member of the School technical team, primarily to the engineering robotic teaching laboratory. As a grade 5 Robotics Laboratory Technician, you will be responsible for running the established teaching laboratory on a day to day basis with the support of other technicians within the School. You will take a lead role providing direct hardware and software technical support, including sourcing, configuring, installing and preparing equipment for practical laboratory sessions, support for group projects, developing software and hardware infrastructure and assisting students and consulting with academic staff to meet specific teaching requirements. You will be able to provide support for the manufacture of specialist electronic and mechanical parts, including PCB manufacture, machining and the use of CAM equipment to assist with the design of new practical activities in liaison with other technical and academic staff. You will ensure the taught practicals are run safely and in a tidy and efficient manner. As such, you will be responsible for setting up and taking down the equipment and consumables required for taught practical sessions. During take down you will ensure equipment is tested, cleaned and serviceable and in the correct locations for future sessions. You will also ensure that damaged equipment is submitted for repair or replacement. You will be expected to work with the team in a collegiate manner to ensure the laboratory facility as a whole operates in a smooth manner. You will need to transport equipment between laboratories and other locations and also be expected to demonstrate techniques within the teaching laboratories to not only undergraduate and postgraduate students but also to staff as well as attendees of Open Days and outreach events. 

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed 

You will have:

• HNC, HND, Degree, or equivalent experience
• RSciTech/EngTech, or willingness to work towards, or equivalent professional registration
• Knowledge and ability to implement practical techniques used in the field of mechatronics engineering
• Knowledge of relevant safety regulations & procedures, for example COSHH and risk assessment
• Ability to perform complex technical tasks to a consistent high standard with attention to detail
• Experience of working on own initiative and as part of a team
• UK driving licence 

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Andy White on (andy.white@york.ac.uk) or contact PET HR on (pet-hr@york.ac.uk)

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork