Faraday Institution Technician - School of Metallurgy and Materials

The Faraday technician will support research activities of the Faraday Project (Recycling of Lithium Ion Batteries (ReLiB)) within the School of Metallurgy and Materials. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining recycling equipment in the Faraday laboratory and assist the robotics activity associated with battery recycling. The technician will also be responsible for infrastructure such as gas lines, chiller systems and extract.This will involve taking the initiative to diagnose and resolve problems, particularly those of an electrical or mechanical nature, as well as suggesting and implementing upgrades and improvements for any equipment for which they are responsible.

The post holder will assist Faraday staff and students in setting up experiments and provide training in the use of equipment and safety procedures.A key part of the role involves taking responsibility for ensuring safe operation of relevant equipment and services by ensuring that safety paperwork is up to date and is being followed by users, and any statutory inspections are carried out on time. The School of Metallurgy and Materials has over 450 students (280 undergraduate students, 170 postgraduate students) with 40 academics involved in teaching or research. As well as the main building we extend to the Net Shape Laboratory, Plasma Building and act as a key stepping stone to MTC and HTRC. The research fellows or students need to report to the role holder for training, H&S issues, failures, and breakdowns. The group leader and technical manager will discuss changes to kit, asset removal or purchase of new items, where he/she will be supposed to carry out any necessary product search for the group. Part of the role holder's activities is to be proactive in making sure all consumables and routine maintenance are managed smoothly and without daily instruction.

The role holder will also be kept aware of the projects deadlines and delivery dates, so that the role holder can plan the work schedule to match these deadlines.The role holder may also be expected to attend some of the project meetings to advise on the technical issues related to the operation of the machines.

Duties

The research laboratories comprise a wide range of activities and associated risks with significant industrial collaboration that needs to be maintained with a high level of technical skill. Our Industrial collaborators not only invest in the research themes here but will also fund or send staff to access kit. The post-holder may at different times be required to support work which is being carried out off campus at our industrial partners. The post holder will also be expected to support or engage in processes such as welding, crane operation and slinging, or fork-lift driving.

A key part of the role involves taking proactive responsibility for ensuring safe operation of relevant equipment and services by ensuring that safety paperwork is up to date and is being followed by users, and any statutory inspections are carried out on time.The role-holder will be pro-active in liaising with all school users and will provide advice, guidance and offering a high level of technical support on all activities in the building.

The role-holder will be expected to manage and review on a daily basis all general building systems, providing quotes and advice on best value for major spend on alarm systems, pneumatic systems, fixed gas systems, LEV, statutory tested items, chillers and other essential building infrastructure.

The School has also started to appoint apprentices: the post-holder will be expected to take responsibility for providing guidance, support and training for any apprentices working with them.

The post holder will also, from time to time, perform duties associated with keeping the building safe and operational as advised by the Technical Manager.

Person Specification

• BTEC / HNC in electrical engineering or equivalent experience
• Extensive knowledge of working within an Engineering research area.
• Extensive experience in mechanical workshop techniques, including the use of machine tools, industrial gases, and welding
• Trained (or willingness to be trained) to drive pedestrian fork-lift truck
• Trained (or willingness to be trained) to operate overhead cranes
• Trained (or willingness to be trained) in robotic control
• Extensive knowledge of Pneumatic and Vacuum systems.
• Proven experience in ability to respond to changing priorities.
• Proven experience and ability to implement and test new systems.
• Knowledge of all relevant safety issues and the relevant University Policies, including handling of pyrophoric materials.
• Trained to carry out portable appliance testing (PAT) Sufficiently experienced in the experimental processes to write COSHH, risk assessments and SOPs in line with University Policy
• Knowledgeable about the processes to write experimental procedures for equipment and techniques

Desirable attributes

• Significant experience and knowledge of managing a building and its services
• Significant experience of working with Estates/ Maintenance or equivalent
• Significant experience of working within a compliance based organisation and relevant safety good practice i.e. the‘5S' methodology
• Qualified Electrician

Additional Information

For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Allan Walton, a.walton@bham.ac.uk, 0121 414 5195