Senior Technician

Senior Technician – Grade UW6 We are looking for an experienced, practical and enthusiastic Senior Technician to join our technical team.

This is a varied and very much hands-on role . We are looking for someone who is attentive, can think on their feet and enjoys solving problems. You will need to be comfortable taking responsibility, using your own initiative and getting stuck in when something needs doing.

This isn't a role for someone who wants to spend all day behind a desk. One minute you could be preparing equipment for a teaching session, the next helping a student or member of academic staff, investigating an equipment fault, dealing with a safety issue or working out how we can do something better.

The role provides high-quality technical support for teaching, research and external or commercial activities and requires someone capable of working independently when needed while remaining part of the wider technical and academic team.

What will you be doing? You will help with the safe and effective day-to-day running of our teaching and research facilities. This includes planning and preparing practical activities, setting up and clearing away equipment and materials, supporting the use of specialist facilities and helping manage the booking and availability of spaces and equipment.

A key part of the role is working directly with students, academics and researchers . You will provide practical technical advice, demonstrate equipment and techniques, deliver inductions and training and help ensure that people can undertake their work safely and effectively.

You will also help keep our facilities and equipment working properly. That includes setting up, cleaning and calibrating equipment, carrying out maintenance and minor repairs, identifying faults, working with contractors and suppliers when necessary and helping identify replacement equipment or improved ways of working.

There is an organisational side to the job too. You will help maintain inventories and asset registers, manage equipment loans, monitor stock and consumables and support purchasing and procurement activities.

Depending on the work taking place, you may also support research and commercial projects, experiments, data collection and analysis, specialist software and first-line technical IT support.

The person we're looking for Above all, we are looking for a doer and a problem solver .

You should be attentive enough to notice when something isn't right, confident enough to investigate it and practical enough to find a sensible solution.

Things don't always go according to plan in a busy teaching or research environment. Equipment fails, priorities change and unexpected problems appear. We need someone who can stay calm, think quickly, prioritise and adapt , while knowing when something needs to be escalated or when specialist advice is required.

You will have relevant technical experience within a laboratory, workshop, studio or similar specialist environment and a good working knowledge of the equipment, regulations and safe working practices appropriate to your area.

You should also be comfortable working independently. The role specifically requires someone who is self-motivated, able to use their own initiative, prioritise workloads and work effectively without close supervision.

At the same time, this is very much a people-facing role . You will work with students, academics, researchers, technicians, professional services colleagues, contractors and external organisations, so being approachable and able to communicate clearly is just as important as having technical knowledge.

Safety matters We want someone who takes safety seriously and understands that good technical support isn't simply about getting something working – it's about getting it working properly and safely .

You will contribute to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment, including safe operating procedures, risk assessments, COSHH assessments and other relevant health and safety processes. You may also support accident reporting, waste and hazardous-material management, Portable Appliance Testing and first-aid provision where appropriate to the role.

Qualifications And Experience You will normally have an HND in a relevant subject or equivalent relevant experience , together with the appropriate general education and practical experience for the role.

A degree or degree apprenticeship, relevant health and safety qualifications such as IOSH or NEBOSH, professional technical accreditation, teaching/tutoring experience or certification in relevant specialist software would be advantageous.

We are interested not only in qualifications, but in what you can actually do : your practical experience, technical judgement, ability to solve problems and willingness to continue developing your knowledge and skills.

How We Work How you approach the job matters just as much as the tasks you carry out.

Our work reflects the University of Wolverhampton's ARIA values – Accountable, Resilient, Inclusive and Ambitious .

Accountable means taking ownership of what you do, looking after our equipment and facilities and taking pride in doing a job properly.

Resilient means being adaptable when plans change, keeping a positive and practical approach when problems arise and finding a way forward.

Inclusive means being approachable, respectful and supportive. Our facilities are used by people with different levels of experience and from a wide range of backgrounds, and everyone should feel comfortable asking for technical help.

Ambitious means looking for better ways of doing things. We want someone who doesn't simply accept "that's how we've always done it" when there is a safer, smarter or more effective solution.

Those behaviours fit particularly well with the University's wider emphasis on operational excellence, student success, research and knowledge exchange, and an inclusive and supportive culture.

Does this sound like you? If you are practical, attentive, organised and approachable , enjoy solving problems and would rather get involved than watch from the sidelines, we'd like to hear from you.

We're looking for someone who notices what needs doing, takes responsibility for it and works with others to get it sorted – safely, professionally and with the needs of our students, staff and researchers at the heart of what they do. University of Wolverhampton Recruitment Statement Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom The University of Wolverhampton recognises and protects the rights to freedom of speech and academic freedom , within the law.

We are committed to ensuring that lawful expression of ideas, beliefs and opinions — including those that may be controversial or unpopular — does not result in disadvantage in recruitment, employment or progression.

An offer of employment at the University of Wolverhampton will never be denied based on an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions .

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion The University of Wolverhampton is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We Are Committed To

• preventing unlawful discrimination and harassment.
• promoting equality of opportunity.
• fostering an inclusive environment where colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.

We strive to create a workplace in which colleagues have the confidence and freedom to be themselves , while working professionally and in accordance with equality legislation and University policies.

Guidance on AI-Assisted Applications We recognise that applicants may use AI tools to support the preparation of their applications. However, submissions must reflect your own experience, achievements and motivations.

We want to understand what you personally bring to the role. Please ensure your application accurately represents your own voice and capabilities.

Flexible Working We recognise the value of flexible working arrangements and are open to discussion wherever possible.

Your Benefits Competitive salaries Standard Life Pension scheme – with employer contribution of up to 12% to the University's defined contribution scheme.

Long Service Recognition – £200 gift voucher, certificate, and afternoon tea with Vice Chancellor for 25 & 40 years of service.

Free Will Writing Service – Complimentary will drafting for employees and their partners.

IT & Mobile Discounts – EE Perk (20% off for family & friends) & software discounts.

Supporting Your Health & Wellbeing Wellbeing and Mental Health Support – 24/7 access to EAP service, free counselling sessions, wellbeing support resources and Occupational Health Service.

Gym memberships discounts – at our Walsall Campus and discounts at WV Active sites in Wolverhampton.

Eyecare Support – Free eVoucher for eye tests and glasses contribution.

Flu Vouchers – Free flu vaccinations for staff.

Paycare Health Benefit Plan – Covers optical, dental, physiotherapy, and personal accident insurance.

Chaplaincy & Prayer Rooms – Access to multi-faith chaplaincy services.

Valuing You Generous Annual Leave (see table below)

Flexible & Agile Working – Flexible and Hybrid working arrangements.

Free On-site Parking – available across campuses.

Cycle Benefits Scheme – Save up to 42% on a bike & accessories via salary sacrifice.

Tusker Electric Vehicle Scheme – Electric cars via salary sacrifice.

Employee Discounts – Savings on groceries, fashion, and entertainment.

Travel Discounts – Up to 10% off holidays through Sodexo Circles.

Training and Development Staff Network and Inclusion – Access to support networks and events with our LGBTQ+, Global Majority, Disability, and Women's networks.

Library Access – Staff have access to books and resources at our onsite libraries.

Staff Scholarship Scheme – Funding for part-time higher education, up to PhD level.

Leadership and Management Development – Access to training opportunities to support you with advancing in your career.