Support Technician: Geotechnical

Overview

As a Support Technician, you will be part of the School’s technical community, assisting in the planning, design, manufacture and maintenance of specialist equipment that supports internationally recognised research activities. You should have foundation and early‑career experience across a range of engineering disciplines. Adaptability and a willingness to learn are key.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the training, set‑up, calibration, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Assist senior technical staff in the daily running of the laboratories to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
• Assist in the manufacture and construction of experimental test apparatus or equipment using a wide range of laboratory and engineering skills in workshops and laboratories.
• Assist researchers and students to carry out experimental testing across civil and structural engineering materials and collect test data when required, storing and handling data in line with legislation and ethical codes of conduct.
• Provide a high standard of customer service.
• Make suggestions for service improvement.
• Maintain and monitor test specimens and conditioning environments.
• Ensure risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures for equipment are in place and current.
• Thoroughly carry out any additional health‑and‑safety responsibilities delegated by your line manager, completing technical documentation to ensure compliance.
• Assist with technical support for fieldwork projects, including installing field or site monitoring equipment, instrumentation and data logging systems; this work will be supervised, involve travel to field sites, occasional work outside normal hours and may require overnight accommodation.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

We value diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs. Even if your past experience does not perfectly match the role’s criteria, we encourage you to apply. Please reference the application criteria in your application statement.

Criteria

• Experience equivalent to minimum GCSE grade in English and Maths, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification.
• Demonstrable vocational skills and experience aligned with the job description.
• Ability to use IT applications and other relevant technology and systems.
• Ability to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations and environmental compliance procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical information, both written and verbal.
• Foundation knowledge of safe working practices and health and safety in laboratory/workshop environments.
• Foundation mechanical engineering workshop skills—machining, fitting, use of standard workshop equipment, techniques and precision measuring instruments.
• Some experience of working within a technical support environment.
• Working toward professional registration (e.g. RSciTech, EngTech or ICTTech).
• Solution-focused, with a positive and can‑do attitude.

Benefits

• Minimum 38 days annual leave including bank holidays and closure days (pro‑rated) with the option to purchase additional days.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks for social interaction, peer support and personal development (Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond their role.
• A commitment to development with access to learning and mentoring schemes; technical career route.
• Generous family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for those going through menopause and paid time off and support for fertility treatment.

Contact

For informal enquiries about this job contact Phillip Pickstock, School Technical Manager: p.pickstock@sheffield.ac.uk.

Closing date: 15 June 2026.

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