Job description

The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences seeks to appoint an experienced technician to support cutting-edge research and training activities across the School. The post holder will be a member of the School’s professional services team, providing high quality technical support and specific support to education/ research activities.

The School is an innovative and dynamic academic environment that recently opened new facilities pivotal in the delivery of cutting-edge medical technology to clinical practice. These include manufacturing, robotics integration and optics workshops, a mock operating theatre, clean room, workshops and laboratories supporting a large range of cutting-edge research.  

This post will support all activities to ensure the smooth running of all Engineering workshop & Laboratories within School of Biomedical Engineering. Additionally, the post will support lab event set-up, execution; inventory, equipment, and facility maintenance; and lab H&S policy and protocol development and implementation. These include but are not limited to: 

• Providing practical assistance as needed throughout the execution of laboratory/workshop events, teaching, and training. 
• Equipment upkeep and maintenance, and general laboratory housekeeping duties such as regular cleaning. 
• Monitoring laboratory/Workshop equipment for calibration and engineer visits. 
• Contributing to the engineering manufacturing output of the workshops by supporting processes, to mention a few: CNC machining, 3d printing, material testing, silicone and resin moulding, use of general workshop equipment, etc 
• Ordering necessary tool sets, stock materials, spare parts for the functioning of the workshops and facilities.  
• Maintaining a safe, productive, and clean facility, following all safety regulations and local policies, including the collection and processing of hazardous waste. 
• Following written processes and procedures that outline compliance with all relevant standards and regulations. Contribution to writing such policies (ie. Standard operating procedures, risk assessments, local rules, etc) 
• Ensuring that users follow relevant safety policies, guidelines, and regulations  
• Student workshop supervision, user training, monitoring, and reporting on internal compliance with such policies and procedures 
• Ordering, receiving, handling, storing, and disposing of substances and parts in compliance with regulations and local policies 
• Managing consumables and stock inventory in line with upcoming events and course requirements, including personal protective equipment  
• Monitoring engineering lab coat inventory and arranging for regular laundering, resupply. 
• Identifying and communicating needs for additional instruments, equipment, and staff based on event requirements and user feedback. 
• Support to the departmental surgical simulation facilities.  

The post holder will report to the Workshop Manager and the School Technical Manager. 

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 2 years in the first instance.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

Provide a range of services where there are established service standards.   

• Be responsible for the delivery and day-to-day management of a range of technical services, ensuring an efficient use of resources 
• Use a broad range of technical or practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical or scientific practices and procedures, applying knowledge in the context of new areas. 
• Implement and monitor compliance with regulations governing the service, to ensure a safe and environmentally sustainable workplace. 
• Report accidents/ incidents to line manager(s)/supervisor. 
• Oversee service facilities ensuring efficient use of resources, installing, maintaining, and securing technical equipment systems and software and controlling local budgets, stocks/store, equipment, and supplies, while adhering to King’s principles of ethics and sustainability. 
• Oversee and allocate work to team members when deputising for line manager, supporting colleagues in meeting their objectives, providing advice and feedback as appropriate. 
• Manage own workload within the parameters of an agreed work plan, responding to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided and resolving problems as they arise, using standard procedures and initiative. 
• Use well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills to identify trends and patterns, using appropriate techniques and procedures to inform decisions with an impact on the local service, with a potential impact for 6 months to a year. 
• Resolve routine and complex problems that arise in the local service. 
• Work with colleagues and network as agreed by the line manager(s). 
• Actively engage in King’s Technical Network, building a network across the Faculty to provide peer support and opportunities to share best practice. 
• Forge relationships with colleagues in the School, Faculty, university and external to the university, to build relationships, disseminate and get information, coordinate, and deliver the service. 
• Provide advice and guidance and, where appropriate, training. 
• Communicate information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing. 
• Contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures. 
• Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year. 
• Implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following the King’s sustainability audit process, where appropriate. 
• Collaborate with colleagues to share good practice and support wider sustainable initiatives and suggest new ideas where you see that improvements could be made. 
• Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working with academic, research and other professional services staff and colleagues external to King’s. 
• Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1. Minimum level 3 qualification, e.g. A levels, AS levels, International Baccalaureate diploma or other Level 3 qualification, plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts OR Considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts. 
2. Evidence of an active commitment to career development including professional registration, such as RSciTech or RSci and clear progression in increasingly demanding jobs. 
3. Knowledge and practical use of a range of technical skills and their environmental impact. 
4. Ability to apply learnt techniques to the work context. 
5. Clear spoken and written communication skills, with proficient computer use and strong interpersonal and influencing/behavioural skills. 
6. Proactive and responsive to contacts in immediate area, across the wider organisation and externally (e.g., suppliers) to build relationships and network. 
7. Solutions-focused self-starter, with strong planning and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities and work with minimal supervision. 
8. Working knowledge of regulations and best practice governing area of work, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability. 

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in supervising/advising less experienced colleagues, monitoring, and providing feedback on performance. 
2. Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required. 

Further information

Selection process to include a Panel Interview.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.