About the role
We are seeking to recruit a Computational Art Technician to provide professional technical expertise, guidance, advice, support, and administration as part of the day-to-day operation of the Slade Studio at UCL East. The successful candidate will manage the technical facilities of the Slade Studio, technical equipment for the BA Art and Technology programme, and support students through technical teaching in the area of computational art/creative computing.
The postholder will manage the technical provision of the course, and provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for our students and researchers. They will lead on providing a high standard of support to all Studio users, taking timely action on staff and student feedback and provide technical instruction and materials to ensure students develop skills and confidence. Our strategic planning seeks to improve our technical facilities in line with a developing course offer. This post will be a key voice in the development of the BA Art and Technology course.
The first year of the role will focus on setting up the technical provision within the Slade Studio and working with key staff at UCL East and within the Slade in preparing for the first cohort of students. This role has the potential to extend to a full-time position upon the successful launch of the degree programme, dependent on factors such as budget and skillset, with further responsibilities in supporting teaching modules and technical provision.
Right to Work Eligibility
Please note, this role is not eligible for sponsorship and you must already have right to work in the UK. Any applicants without right to work cannot be considered.
About you
Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:
The successful candidate will have a degree qualification or equivalent, preferably with an art and design or computation specialism and an understanding of relationships between art and technology practice, and an awareness of contemporary and historical art practice. The candidate will have experience of working in a technical role at an art school or similar, and delivering technical workshops/classes and one-to-one tutorials. Experience of managing, maintaining and developing a roster of equipment and workspace, with knowledge of health and safety management and safe working practices are essential.
Skills and Abilities:
The candidate will demonstrate strong programming and problem-solving skills across multiple languages and web server environments, including JavaScript, Python, Bash, PowerShell, Git and various operating systems. They will show competence in physical computing and electronic skills in assembly programming, and testing of Arduino and Raspberry PI embedded systems and circuitry. The candidate will have the ability to work in the areas of machine learning systems, game engines and frameworks, VR and AR systems such as training data models, Unity, Unreal, Three and A-Frame, and relevant programming skills, creation and management of 3D assets and 3D scanning tools.
Personal Attributes:
The candidate will demonstrate a flexible approach and enthusiasm for working with students in an experimental environment and a desire to experiment with emerging technologies and improving existing skillsets. The candidate will also be adaptable to staff and students from different backgrounds and perspectives, showing a willingness to work with all areas of the Slade, UCL East and Bloomsbury campuses.
A full list of the essential and desirable criteria can be found within the job description.
How to Apply and Information Required for Application
Applicants should submit a CV and a covering letter which addresses why you are particularly interested in this post, how you fulfil the criteria listed in the person specification and why you would like to work at the Slade.
The CV can be attached as a separate document in the application form and the covering letter should be completed within the online application boxes themselves. Please start the covering letter in the "Cover Letter" section and continue on in the "Questionnaire" section, where you can add additional boxes to increase the word limit.
*Please note, the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be used alongside the CV for the purposes of shortlisting.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
1. 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
2. Hybrid Final Salary Pension Scheme;
3. Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan;
4. On-Site nursery;
5. On-site gym;
6. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay;
7. Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service;
8. Discounted medical insurance.