Description Position Details School of Physics and Astronomy Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149 Grade: 7 Full Time, Permanent Closing date: 30th March 2025 Are you considering a career at the University of Birmingham? Our Recruitment Team is hosting one-to-one conversations to help you understand the application process, provide updates on existing applications, and answer general questions about working at the University. Our next appointments are available on Friday 28th March; click here to book. Further dates and opportunities to connect with us in person will be advertised on future job listings. Our offer to you People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham Role Summary The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham invites applications for the role of School Technical Manager. In this key role, the post holder will provide direction and professional support within assigned areas of responsibility, covering effective management of technical activities within the School. This is an exciting opportunity to make a leading contribution to the School delivering on its mission as a world-leading centre for research and education. We are looking for someone with drive who is prepared to take initiative, and will enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across the School. The role includes the management and deployment of an effective team of technicians to support the strategic aims of the School’s research and education. The post holder will oversee building projects, maintenance, services, space allocation and security related matters for the School, liaising closely with the Estates Office and delegating duties as appropriate to the School’s Buildings Manager. They will provide oversight, advice and guidance on managing and monitoring issues relating to Health and Safety, including radiation protection and laser safety. They will work with staff to increase their understanding of and compliance with Health and Safety legislation, School, College and University policy and procedures, and national regulations. The post holder will work closely with, and be supported by, the Head of School and Head of School Operations; the post holder’s team, which includes the School’s Buildings Manager; and colleagues across the School. They will get to know colleagues extremely well, working collaboratively to support research and education needs. The School is part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and there will also be close interactions with the College’s Head of Infrastructure & Facilities and other Technical Managers across the College, providing a supportive network. There is an opportunity to contribute to the wider recognition of career and skills development for technical staff, in the framework of the University’s Technical Academy. The School of Physics and Astronomy is one of the UK’s leading Physics departments, with a wide-ranging programme of research, and portfolio of physics degrees in education. The School is ranked 4 th and 5 th for Physics, respectively, in the Complete University Guide and Times Good University Guide league tables. Our research was ranked top in the UK for “4-star” (i.e., internationally leading) research by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Since 2012, our researchers have been associated with three Nobel prizes (through membership of collaborations, and two former colleagues winning the prize for work conducted in Birmingham). The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to encourage collegiality and good working practice for all members of its community, working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications from traditionally under-represented groups, such as women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, are particularly encouraged. Main Duties Management of Technical Staff The post holder will: Have line management and oversight responsibility for technical staff within the School, noting that for those embedded in research groups their day-to-day/task management work will come from the group lead or project Principal Investigator. This will require close interaction with staff across the School. Contribute as needed to staff recruitment when vacancies arise. Contribute to the plans, implementation and recognition of technical staff career and skill development across the College, liaising with the School Head of Operations, the Technical Academy and wider interested parties to facilitate this, including networking among similar groups of staff. Undertaking performance reviews (PDRs), monitoring sickness absence and authorising annual leave and leading on performance management issues. School Estate The post holder will work closely with University Estates and the School’s Buildings Manager to maintain the School estate in good order, liaising with the Head of School and School Head of Operations, and the College Head of Infrastructure and Facilities. Duties are carried out by: Being the direct liaison with Estates Office personnel on all issues concerning project works throughout the School; being the School’s representative on major/minor project design team meetings and on all new and refurbishment projects. Liaising with the College Head of Infrastructure and Facilities to ensure that all projects and works map onto the College strategic plan. Facilitating regular service and maintenance of all safety monitoring, ventilation, and pressure systems; and annual insurance inspections for pressure systems vessels, LEV systems, and lifting equipment. Reviewing and advising the Head of School and Head of Operations on the best utilisation of space, equipment and services throughout the School, ensuring that future requirements can be fully integrated within existing facilities and space. In conjunction with the School’s Building Manager and other colleagues, the post holder will: Oversee School security arrangements and ensure compliance with School/College/University policies. Day to day activities include appropriate management of any swipe card access, CCTV, issuing of keys, etc. Monitor compliance of staff/students with the School lone working/out-of-hours policy. To be a nominated person for out of hours call outs, interacting with Campus Security staff, University Estates staff and the emergency services; ensure details provided to Security for emergency out of hours contact are up to date and internally the School can contact key staff members when required. Under equipment maintenance and procurement: Ensure Principal Investigators receive good advice on choosing and procuring new equipment: this may include arranging for the demonstration of equipment, participating in tender specifications, obtaining quotations and assisting academic members of staff with the procurement process for major items. Help the School achieve the best deal/value for money on all purchases, including consumables; and in consultation with suppliers, provide advice on installation issues and liaise with University Estates for installation and commissioning where necessary. Manage the electronic asset register and disposal record system, ensuring that both are accurate and up to date. To complete new register entries for the school from information provided by the individual purchasers or from Core. Provide advice on and arranging for service/maintenance contracts for equipment where appropriate. Arranging contracts for the necessary testing of equipment and facilities, encouraging academics to cost equipment maintenance and usage costs into research grant applications. Work with relevant area leads, ensure that equipment within the School is fit for purpose and is maintained to a satisfactory standard, facilitating the disposal of any redundant equipment quickly and effectively, following statutory requirements. Where appropriate, ensure training is provided to staff and students for the operation of equipment and that expertise is retained over time. Manage a system for recording training and review training needs within the School. Under finance: Monitor equipment purchases within the School to highlight any potential H&S problems not picked up in relevant risk assessments (or where assessments have not been completed). Maintain School asset register, adding new equipment and removing items on disposal. Manage/oversee budgets relevant to School H&S expenditure (e.g., building works, as assigned by the Head of School; and other accounts assigned by Head of School), including delivery of items, invoicing, receipting and payments (in conjunction with the Finance Office where relevant). Health and Safety As School Health and Safety (H&S) Coordinator, the post holder is required to be familiar with the operations and activities carried out in all the areas under the control of the School of Physics and Astronomy and to be fully conversant and up to date with health and safety legislation, regulations and university/school policies relating to these activities and the associated equipment. The School Health and Safety Coordinator is the key/main contact for interactions between the School and University Safety Services. Radiation protection and laser safety is an important area for the school. Some of the following will be delegated to other technical staff in the school, but the post holder should set up reporting systems to retain management oversight: In close collaboration with the School and College H&S Committees and the University’s Safety Services, ensure compliance with all statutory, School/College/University policies, ensuring timely and up-to-date advice and guidance relating to H&S is provided to the Head of School, School H&S Committee, Heads of Research Groups, and all relevant statutory and other guidance notices/signage are appropriately displayed. Convene and chair the School H&S Committee, with responsibility for the annual School H&S action plan, being proactive in monitoring progress and ensuring that all recommendations are actioned; and represent the School on the College H&S Committee as School Safety Coordinator. Ensure that training requirements for all staff and students are assessed, actioned, recorded and reviewed on a regular basis to keep individuals and their work environment safe, monitoring compliance and taking remedial action where necessary; and that new or reminder information is disseminated to relevant staff and students, and reference material is kept up to date. Work closely with colleagues to manage all aspects of H&S within the School; liaise with relevant leads of specialist areas/facilities ensuring they are managing risk and following good practice, that statutory testing of equipment and regular risk assessments are recorded, adhered to and reviewed appropriately, and that safety inspections are carried out in accordance with University Safety Services guidance and any necessary remedial actions are taken. Review and monitor School policies and guidance, including investigation of all accidents/incidents and near misses, taking appropriate supportive action if staff are injured and reporting accidents/incidents to University Safety Services, the Head of School and College H&S coordinator. In collaboration with University Estates, work closely with external contractors (or assign a competent member of staff to do so) to make them aware of School/University policies/procedures and providing such assistance as they might reasonably need and expect. Manage effective and efficient systems for handling waste (hazardous and otherwise) generated by the business activities of the School, in compliance with legislation and University policies. Ensure there are appropriate numbers of individuals regularly trained in First Aid and as Fire Wardens, to provide adequate cover for all geographical areas within the School. Under radiation protection, delegating as appropriate, to: Ensure all quality assurance aspects of radiation protection are maintained, advising the Head of School and the University Safety Services Radiation Protection Officer/Radiation Protection Adviser if issues arise. Ensure that all contamination monitors are kept in good operational order and that regular calibration testing is carried out, and consumables required for radiation protection are available (re-ordering as required); that staff are monitored in accordance with local regulations by ensuring the monthly issue and collection of film badges and holders, and that relevant records are kept up to date; and that all classified radiation personnel are registered with Occupational Health for the purposes of annual medical examinations. Ensure advice is given on radiation safety to all personnel in the School, and to external users of the School’s nuclear facilities. Ensure local rules for areas of radioactive usage and operations are followed, ensuring full compliance with university guidance. This includes the the School’s nuclear accelerator facilities (where irradiated targets must be handled safely), research and teaching labs, and radioactive storage areas. Advise, and arrange training where necessary, on the safe handling and storage of radioactive items; to supervise the storage and disposal of radioactive waste as required by local rules thus ensuring compliance with University rules/guidance and all statutory rules and regulations. Maintain databases and oversee security of all open and closed radioactive sources used in teaching; to carry out, and keep records of, weekly source inventory checks and periodic inspections of designated radioactive areas and radioactive sources. Carry out regular monitoring and keep records of the Decay Store and of the radiation decay levels of stored radioactive items from the previous decommissioned cyclotrons in line with regulations set in place by the Environmental Agency. Under laser safety, delegating as appropriate, to: Ensure users of lasers receive the relevant laser safety awareness training before they are allowed to operate any laser. This should include hands-on training, ensuring compliance with Laser Safety Policy and Local Rules. Ensure that all lasers used within the School for teaching and research are catalogued as to their type, usage, condition etc. and the inventory is updated as and when required. Ensure that all Lasers and associated equipment are operated according to Laser Safety Policy and Local Rules. Ensure advice is given as needed across the School on all aspects of Laser safety, liaising with the H&S Unit on changes in Laser Safety Policies and Guidance. College Wide Duties The post holder will: Work with other senior technical staff across the College to take collective responsibility for developing College-wide proposals on issues such as H&S, training of technical staff, and asset and information management, to ensure that the College functions safely and efficiently in all technical areas, and that good work practice is promoted throughout. Help implement College strategy, working closely with College leads for H&S and with other technical managers as needed. Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience Qualified to degree level or equivalent, in a related subject; or have acquired substantial equivalent experience. Possess and demonstrate strong understanding and relevant knowledge of technical requirements relevant to the role. Experience of managing H&S together with knowledge of relevant H&S policies and legislation. Radiation and laser protection experience highly desirable. Preference for being NEBOSH General Certificate qualified (or equivalent) or willing and able to attain this certification. Experience overseeing and representing client interests in building projects and procurement desirable. Demonstrable experience of leading and managing a team of people. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and gain buy-in from colleagues. Able to act assertively and decisively when required. Good negotiation skills and the ability to work well with different groups of people including working with and influencing senior management. Be able to analyse, plan and co-ordinate resolution to problems, service implementation and technical support issues; and to develop policy/procedures/plans and ensure implementation / compliance. Be committed to monitoring effectiveness and achieving improvements, being adaptable/flexible in periods of changing priorities and circumstances. Good IT skills including word processing, email and establishing and manipulating spreadsheets/databases. Problem Solving and decision making Review, develop and propose solutions for problems with (for example) staff, budgets, services and/or systems. Deal effectively with unexpected issues, such as changing priorities. Deal with sensitive people matters/issues. Provide specialist advice and recommendations to support decision–making of others. Internal and External relationships Understand their own and closely related working areas and how they contribute to the success of the University. Has an understanding of how the University operates; actively seeks to share this knowledge with others. Developing empathy with the academic endeavour. Influence decision makers and win support for proposals. Develop excellent working relationships within and outside of own area and potentially with external stakeholders. Co-ordinate activities across a number of areas. Informal enquiries to Professor Bill Chaplin, email: W.J.Chaplinbham.ac.uk, and Anna Jenkin, email: A.C.Jenkinbham.ac.uk View our staff values and behaviours here We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .