Technician Group
Location: Boldrewood Campus
Salary: £32,348 to £39,745 per annum
Full Time Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 05 March 2023
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: 2144723DA
The University of Southampton hosts the National Infrastructure Laboratory – N|I|L, which is part of the UKCRIC* Network of facilities focussed on research and development for infrastructure and cities. The N|I|L is a new facility encompassing four major individual laboratories that support education, enterprise and research across the School of Engineering. These laboratories facilitate mechanical and materials testing across all materials and disciplines (civil, mechanical, ship science and aerospace engineering).
The Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility (GCF) is located within the N|I|L and enables accelerated scale modelling of geosystems, such as earthworks, foundations and other civil engineering systems that interact with the ground. The centrifuge spins the scale models to accelerations of up to 130 times Earth’s gravity. Experiments use state-of-the-art data acquisition, robotic manipulation and image analysis to address engineering challenges on land, by the coast or at the seafloor. The GCF supports a well-established Geomechanics laboratory and successful research group, and consists of a 6m diameter beam centrifuge, a dedicated control room and an experiment preparation area.
You will join our team to lead and develop this exciting facility which includes the day to day management of the GCF ensuring that the facility is efficient and effective. You will provide specialist technical support to students, researchers and staff within the School of Engineering on the use of equipment and instrumentation within the GCF. This will include equipment training and the provision of expert advice on designing and conducting experiments. You will also manage the health and safety aspects of the laboratory as well as the usage and maintenance of equipment within the GCF.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to manage a new facility in one of the largest and most successful engineering schools in the UK. You will be involved in projects tackling the major challenges across infrastructure, cities, energy and transport. You will work with a diverse community of students, colleagues and industrial partners, and you will be involved in developing and executing advanced experiments in a brand new facility.
You will demonstrate experience of using initiative and being able to work independently, as well as being part of the wider N|I|L team. The Experimental Officer role requires an understanding of research and teaching, but with a strong emphasis on training, support, and management of technical facilities. It is essential you have qualifications in civil or mechanical engineering, or a similar discipline, with experience of geotechnical testing and the use of a geotechnical centrifuge would be highly advantageous. The role may suit applicants from either a research laboratory background or an industrial laboratory-based setting. A detailed job description is available in the application portal [or is linked below].
More information about the N|I|L can be found here:
*More information about UKCRIC can be found here: https://www.ukcric.com/
There are a great range of benefits that includes a contributory pension scheme; holiday entitlement of 30 days plus 8 bank holidays and 6 additional holidays (closure days); subsidised health and fitness facilities on-site; cycle to work scheme and a range of discounts.
The University of Southampton is a signatory of the Technician Commitment and a partner affiliate of the National Technician Development Centre. We offer a wide range of opportunities including networking, mentoring, training, professional registration and career development.
Application Procedure
You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Lauren (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email [email protected]. Please quote reference 2144723DA on all correspondence.
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