Senior Faculty Technician - Physics

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Senior Technician, you will provide specialist technical expertise to support teaching, research, knowledge exchange and commercial activities across the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics. You will play a key role in managing, maintaining and enhancing the School's laboratories and technical facilities, including the North East Space Skills and Technology (NESST) facilities, working in partnership with academic staff, industry collaborators and sector specialists to advance research, technology development and workforce skills.

As part of a multidisciplinary technical team, you will work alongside fellow technicians and scientific officers to support pioneering research in areas such as optical and satellite communications, climate science, energy materials and systems, materials science and solar and space physics.

You will play a key role in enabling world-class research and in supporting the School's hands-on, industry-informed teaching. This includes delivering specialist technical training to staff and students and contributing to the continued development of the School's facilities, NESST among them.

Further information is available in the job description.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Within the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics at the Faculty of Science and Environment, the Department of Physics focuses on a broad spectrum of research areas, with core groups in Astrophysics (including Solar and Space Physics), Space Technology, Photovoltaics, Renewable Energy Technology and Materials, and Smart Materials & Surface. We take a highly collaborative approach, working with a diverse range of academic and industry partners.

The successful candidate will be based in the Ellison Building on our City Campus, as part of a multidisciplinary technical team comprising three Scientific Officers, two Senior Technicians, two Laboratory Technicians and an apprentice, all led by a Technical Manager.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in the role you will have a degree or HND, preferably in Physics, Material Science, Engineering or a related technical discipline. Experience in operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, particularly fundamental physics, material characterization and or optical communication. 

You will have hands-on experience operating and maintaining specialist laboratory equipment, ideally in fundamental physics, materials characterisation, or optical communications. This might include lasers, vacuum systems, microscopes (optical, SEM), spectroscopy (UV-VIS, Raman), X-Ray analysis, oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, solar simulators, amplifiers, receivers and transmitters, among others. The role also requires a proven ability to independently diagnose complex technical faults in equipment operation and to implement effective solutions.

You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide, train and support a diverse range of users, from students and early-career researchers to experienced academics and external partners. You will be equally comfortable working independently and contributing as part of a collaborative technical team.

Strong organisational and time-management skills are essential, together with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple activities simultaneously and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales. The role requires a proactive approach to responding to changing operational demands while maintaining a high standard of service delivery.

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail is required when maintaining technical records and documentation, ensuring compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and quality standards. This includes the management of equipment maintenance records, data logs, operational documentation, incident reports, and other compliance-related information.

Knowledge and proven experience in the implementation and management of Health and Safety requirements within science and engineering environments are required. You will be confident in developing, reviewing and applying risk assessments, standard operating procedures, COSHH assessments and other compliance documentation, while providing guidance to staff and students to ensure safe and effective working practices.

Further information is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Demelza Menendez ([email protected]) 

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'.  Your application should include a covering letter and a CV. 

ABOUT US

Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power.  Discover more about us.

With over 37,000 students from 140+ countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement and more.

Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.  

Based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation and offer flexible hours and location where the role allows. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding a Silver Athena Swan in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, a bronze Race Equality Charter Award and we are a Disability Confident Leader.  We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.

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