Job Description
School of Metallurgy and Materials
Location: High Temperature Research Centre, Coventry, UK
Full time starting salary: £36,636 to £46,049 (max Grade 7 £38,784). Grade: 7. Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2028. Closing date: 10th May 2026.
Our offer to you
We offer a generous benefits package including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme and three high‑quality subsidised day nurseries. Our campus provides state‑of‑the‑art facilities such as a sports centre, pool, shops, cafés, an art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.
Background
The School of Metallurgy and Materials has a strong history of expertise in the study of materials in challenging environments, including oxidation and degradation of superalloys.
Role Summary
Technical Specialist providing high‑level support for research staff working on the degradation and characterisation of high‑temperature materials, particularly nickel‑based superalloys. Responsibilities include oxidation testing at high temperatures, microscopic characterisation, data generation and interpretation, instrument design, and technical support for research groups.
Main Duties
* Carry out experimental work within the area of specialism including characterisation, degradation, mechanical testing, and sample preparation.
* Analyse and interpret experimental data.
* Support the research group’s day‑to‑day technical needs and contribute to the development of new services or techniques.
* Assist in managing laboratory areas, maintaining high standards of health & safety.
* Use in‑depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise and lead on experimental techniques used by researchers and students.
* Contribute to effective knowledge transfer through user training and presenting at technical and scientific meetings.
* Diagnose and resolve technical problems; liaise with service engineers to minimise equipment downtime.
* Work autonomously, keeping principal investigators and stakeholders updated on progress.
* Maintain and calibrate equipment as required.
* Organise correct disposal of waste materials.
* Develop cutting‑edge services and systems to anticipate customer needs and improve facilities.
* Maintain accurate records of techniques and experimental procedures.
* Contribute to internal and external audit procedures and regulatory inspections.
* Promote safe operating procedures for hazardous substances and equipment.
* Advise and train staff, students, apprentices and visitors on safe equipment operation.
* Manage IT systems administration, including file transfer, scheduled backups and long‑term data archiving.
Health and Safety Management
* Knowledge of regulations and safety implications related to the work undertaken.
* Ensure regular maintenance processes are carried out and records maintained.
* Ensure all users comply with university, college and school health & safety policies, including hazardous substances and processes.
* Write and maintain risk assessments, COSHH assessments and SOPs in line with relevant policies.
* Report any breaches or non‑compliance to the Health & Safety Coordinator and/or College Health & Safety Manager.
* Ensure correct waste disposal protocols for laboratory, recycled and general waste.
* Assist with implementation of carbon reduction and energy‑saving measures.
* May undergo training as a Fire Warden and First Aider.
Facilities Management
* Manage consumable orders and generate purchase requisitions via the web‑based ordering system.
* Support equipment purchases, assess needs for new equipment and arrange necessary alterations.
* Manage large equipment deliveries and coordinate with suppliers for offloading and transport.
* Receive and store consumables and chemical reagents correctly.
* Report facility maintenance issues through appropriate channels.
* Assist the Technical Manager in tracking items on the university asset register.
Finance, Procurement and Purchasing
* Identify issues with orders, invoices and suppliers and take corrective action independently.
* Ensure all financial rules and procedures are followed; guide others through these systems.
* Assist with arranging and following up contract work for external customers using university facilities and equipment.
People Management
* Work with the PI to ensure staff goals support a quality, customer‑focused service.
* Prioritise and allocate work for day‑to‑day needs and future project planning.
* Check quality of work and customer feedback.
* Provide supportive interventions for staff not meeting objectives.
* Line‑manage technical staff, conduct annual performance reviews and one‑to‑one meetings.
Other Duties
* Represent the team when liaising with other university departments.
* Support emergency call‑outs.
* Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues, contractors and suppliers.
* Promote equality and diversity, fostering a fair workplace for all staff.
* Support the university’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.
* Perform other duties commensurate with the grade.
General Administration and Organisation
* Ensure all records are accurate and up to date.
* Maintain consumable stocks and generate purchase requisitions when needed.
* Store consumables, equipment and reagents correctly.
* Report facility maintenance issues through appropriate channels.
* Maintain PAT testing, calibration and equipment inventories.
* Assist with carbon reduction and energy‑saving measures.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
* Recognised technical expertise in physical metallurgy, advanced materials characterisation, mechanical testing or materials degradation.
* Typically requires a degree (or equivalent) and several years of relevant experience.
* Proven high level of instrumentation, experimentation and analytical capability.
* Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
* Fluency in relevant techniques and ability to develop new ones.
* Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
* Understanding of broader management and administration processes.
* Ability to coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication.
* Significant experience in a compliance‑based environment.
* Knowledge of working within a research & scientific environment and demonstrable technical skills.
* Ability to work independently while functioning as part of a team.
* Experience of collaborative teamwork to deliver operational or strategic goals.
* Practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
* Ability to organise and manage workload with flexibility in working practices.
* Creative problem‑solving skills.
* Knowledge of Equality Act 2010 duties and commitment to the university’s Public Sector Equality Duty.
Contact
Informal enquiries to Tom Hutchinson, email: t.hutchinson@bham.ac.uk
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of the University of Birmingham staff; diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate. We are committed to proactively addressing barriers experienced by some groups in our community and hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre that continuously improves the university as a fair and inclusive workplace. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
Applications
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.
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