Purpose of Role
The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society is seeking to appoint a Senior Technician (Mechanical) to provide design, construction and fabrication support in the production and maintenance of specialised bespoke laboratory equipment. The role will involve supporting research groups within the Institute of Geoenergy Engineering (IGE), developing equipment to meet the needs of external industry partners. IGE is recognised internationally as a leading centre of excellence in petroleum engineering and petroleum geosciences teaching, training and research with strong links to industry worldwide.
Candidates for the role will be expected to have a high level of skill in the use of a wide range of machining tools and fabrication techniques. Creativity and accuracy are vital for this role, as much of the work involves translating theoretical ideas into practical solutions in facilities that operate at high pressure and temperatures. The post will involve working between a number of research laboratories and a mechanical workshop. The role-holder will report to the Senior Technical Services Manager.
The appointment will be made at G6 or G7 depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The role-holder will be required to undertake the following:
1. Design, produce and install specialised bespoke equipment (GR7) Individuals appointed at GR6 will be expected to support these activities.
2. Investigate novel techniques, materials etc. to enable required research conditions to be established (GR7) Individuals appointed at GR6 will be expected to support these activities.
3. Maintain experimental apparatus and equipment used in research laboratories
4. Identify reasons for apparatus and equipment not functioning as desired and implement corrective action.
5. Liaise with members of research staff to ensure effective support for the research groups’ activities (GR7). Individuals appointed at GR6 will be expected to support these activities.
6. Liaise with external equipment/material manufacturers regarding the specification, suitability and any alterations required to equipment to ensure the equipment meets all relevant standards prior to arrival on-site.
7. Work closely with all members of staff including academic staff, PhD students, Scientific Officers, laboratory technicians and other members of technical services.
8. Report to research team meetings on the status of all ongoing design, construction and maintenance activities.
9. Ensure that health and safety and risk assessment procedures are adhered to in all activities.
10. Assist Senior Technical Services Manager, Technical Services Manager and other colleagues with general building housekeeping including safety, estates and maintenance.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
11. Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) or an Apprenticeship in a relevant subject plus ideally at least 5 years’ post-qualification work experience in a relevant role; or the equivalent comparable relevant work experience (GR7) (3-5 years post-qualification experience expected at GR6).
12. Experience of working with CNC machining and programming.
13. Experience of working with manual milling machines and lathes.
14. Experience of working with pressure vessels, high temperature and high pressure systems (essential for GR7, desirable for GR6)
15. Competent in the use of relevant IT packages e.g. Autodesk Inventor, Microsoft Office.
16. Experience in designing and developing apparatus and equipment, preferably in a research environment (GR7 only)
17. Ability to take a creative approach to coming up with solutions to meet research needs.
18. Experience of maintenance and fault finding of equipment
19. Ability to communicate effectively with academic and technical colleagues, students, external suppliers and industrial sponsors.
20. Good understanding of health and safety regulations and procedures and experience of risk assessment.
21. Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team.
22. Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical effort.
Desirable
23. Experience of welding
24. Experience of 3D modelling