Senior Technical Specialist (Fixed Term)
We are seeking a skilled precision engineer to join the School of Chemistry Workshops at the University of Nottingham. The school is supported by some of the most comprehensive analytical and technical services in the sector and works closely with industry and academic partners. This post supports a long‑established, multidisciplinary research group focused on developing more sustainable methods of chemical manufacture. The group has benefited from dedicated engineering support for over 40 years, and this role will play a key part in designing, developing and maintaining bespoke research equipment.
As a core member of the Precision Engineering Workshop Technical Team, you will:
- Collaborate with academic colleagues, post-doctoral researchers, postgraduates, and the wider technical team across all aspects of the School to design, develop, construct and maintain scientific equipment to precise tolerances
- Work with a range of materials using conventional and CNC machine tools and techniques, including milling, turning and fitting
- Undertake projects to design and deliver engineering solutions for research and departmental equipment, including ongoing development and improvement
- Provide engineering and technical support for ensuring day‑to‑day research and operational needs are met
- Maintain Health and Safety standards throughout all aspects of your work.
- Contribute to outreach, public engagement and knowledge exchange activities
- Support the maintenance and safe operation of workshop equipment
- Provide expert advice and solutions on technical specifications to support evolving research needs.
About you
- Proven ability to undertake a wide range of practical and technical engineering tasks to solve a variety of queries and issues.
- High levels of accuracy, reliability and attention to detail
- Willingness and adaptability to learn new skills, techniques and procedures
- Good IT skills, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams) and AutoCAD/Fusion.
- Excellent interpersonal, organisational, written, and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of use and maintenance of typical engineering workshop equipment.
- Minimum of HNC in Engineering or equivalent subject, or Equivalent qualifications with considerable relevant experience or
Substantial practical experience in a relevant precision engineering role - Ability to undertake manual handling tasks safely.
What we offer
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and University closure days
- Competitive Salary
- Ongoing training and professional development
- An inclusive, supportive working culture within a highly respected technical and academic environment.
- You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website
Contract details:
- Fixed term: 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2028
- Hours: Full time (36.25 hours per week Monday to Friday)
- Part-time applications welcomed (minimum 29 hours per week); please state preferred hours in your application
- Job share arrangements may be considered
Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details.
Please contact Richard Wilson Richard.wilson@nottingham.ac.uk if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Further details:
Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.
We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.
To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.
Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.
We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.
Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.
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