Overview
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, this role provides a range of support to Heriot-Watt at the Orkney campus including support for buildings and facilities, assisting with lab work and fieldwork, undertaking IT/AV tasks and providing general administrative support. The balance of duties will vary day to day and will require someone who is adaptable and flexible, and accustomed to working in a team.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Orkney Campus Manager but will also work collaboratively with colleagues in Information Services, Technical Services, Health & Safety, Estates and other areas across the University, as well as with the team based at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC) and with external stakeholders as required.
The role is based at our Heriot-Watt campus in Stromness, supporting the International Centre for Island Technology within the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society. The role requires on-campus working and requires an appointee who is able to support fieldwork in locations in Orkney.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities
Working in collaboration with professional services and academic colleagues and with direction from the line manager, the role holder will support in the effective running of identified work areas on a day-to-day basis (facilities and buildings management support; lab, fieldwork and field trip support; IT/AV support; health and safety support; general administrative support).
The role holder will be the first point of contact for a number of IT, lab and safety matters but will be supported remotely by a team of specialists who are based in Edinburgh.Training will be provided to support the role holder.
Technical support – teaching, research and fieldwork
Provide support for teaching and research activities as appropriate. This can include:
Fieldwork support
* Supporting academics and research students with preparation, maintenance and storage of fieldwork equipment
* Providing technical support for teaching and research fieldwork and field trips, including student projects – e.g. assisting in the mobilisation of equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for fieldwork; driving teams to fieldwork locations; assisting researchers on shore where lone working is not appropriate;
* Supporting academics with maintaining and operating the laboratory and equipment
* Maintaining registers of equipment for insurance purposes and ensuring that equipment has been tested and is fit for purpose
* Ensuring regular maintenance of stored equipment and disposal of equipment no longer required in liaison with Orkney Campus Manager and relevant academic staff.
* Diagnosing faults and undertake repairs/ maintenance on equipment and apparatus used for research and teaching in laboratory, where appropriate, including disposal of non-functioning equipment.
Facilities support – Lab, buildings and buildings health & safety
* Co-ordinating buildings and facilities support, working closely with the Orkney Campus Manager and liaising with Orkney Research & Innovation Campus colleagues, HW Estates and external contractors as appropriate.
* Carrying out routine building inspections and compliance checks, reporting any issues and ensuring that they are addressed.
* Delivering building safety tours and inductions for all new staff, students and visitors
Technical Support – IT/AV
* Acting as the first and main point of contact for IT and AV support for staff, students and visitors, including new equipment set-up, troubleshooting and supporting events.
* Assisting Heriot-Watt Information Services with any local IT/AV upgrades/installations, consulting with the Head of the Orkney Campus regarding larger upgrades/installations to ensure plans are in line with the needs of the campus.
* Providing induction information and training to staff and students on IT and AV
* Maintaining equipment inventory and consumable stocks
Other duties
* Providing administrative support and reception support as required, under the direction of the Orkney Campus Manager.
* Undertaking projects to support the campus under the direction of the Director of the Orkney Campus and the Orkney Campus Manager
* Supporting in the mentoring, training and instruction of less experienced staff and students
* Understanding and acknowledging risks associated with all work activities and operating in a safe and compliant manner at all times applying control measures identified through risk assessment.
Education, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* Educated to SCQF Level 7-8 (HNC/HND) or an Apprenticeship in a relevant subject plus ideally 2 years’ post-qualification work experience in a relevant role; or comparable equivalent relevant work experience.
* Ability to use, maintain and advise users on IT/AV/lab equipment. Good technical fault finding and problem-solving skills.
* Demonstrable understanding and experience of relevant health and safety protocols/requirements(risk assessment, COSHH, manual handling, first aid at work, fire safety)
* Able to plan and organise assigned projects/programmes of work.
* Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work quickly, flexibly, and accurately in a dynamic, changing, and pressured environment.
* Ability to work outdoors supporting field courses and research activity.
* High degree of IT literacy
* Registration with/membership of relevant professional body
* Minibus driving license
* Health and safety qualifications (e.g. IOSH)
Organisation Name:
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society
How to Apply
Applications with FULL CV and Cover letter can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)onWednesday, 22nd October 2025.
Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 27th October 2025 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted w/c 3rd November 2025.
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Closing date for applications is Saturday, 22 November 2025.
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