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Edinburgh, Midlothian Heriot Watt University
Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Grade: Grade 5 (£25,138-£28,759)
Contract Type: Full Time (1 FTE), Open Ended

Rewards and Benefits: 28 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days per year after 5 years service, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Detailed Description

The post holder will be responsible for achieving and maintaining high standards with regards to laboratory and workshop practices. Although part of a workshop-based team once work has been allocated the role holder will be required to work to a large extent on their own initiative and have a flexible approach to the workload. The role demands that undergraduate, postgraduates and academics needs are met, thereby ensuring the efficient carrying out of teaching and research of the highest quality.

An electronics technician is required to assist in the setting up of teaching laboratories, the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, the training of staff and students as well as the design of custom circuits for teaching and research. The post holder supports work in the area of Electrical and Electronic Engineering teaching as well as research within the broader School. The technician works as part of a team and will be required to provide cover during other team members' absences.

The successful candidate will set up and maintain equipment, prepare materials, organise consumables and diagnose and rectify faults and proactively monitor and maintain safety in teaching laboratories. When not in the teaching labs the post requires that you work as part of a team which provides custom circuit design and production for students and research groups. In addition, the technician will provide technical supervision, guidance and training for undergraduate and masters' students, postgraduate and post-doctoral researchers and other staff.

The Role holder will be expected to be flexible in the hours worked covering a shift pattern during the teaching period of 8 am to 4 pm and 12pm to 8pm Monday to Friday on a rotational cycle working on average 35 hours per week. Occasional work at weekends may be required for Open Days, student events etc. A flexible approach to work is essential and a willingness to learn new techniques and procedures.

The post holder will assist the Technical Services Manager in general safety, estates and maintenance issues across the School.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Setting out and preparing teaching class and research laboratory equipment and materials
Basic testing, fault finding, repair and maintenance of equipment.
Design and assembly of analogue and digital circuits.
Preparing standard operating procedures for techniques and equipment
Technical supervision and assisting of students and staff in undergraduate classes and research laboratories.
Pricing of equipment, materials and consumables and procurement according to University procedures.
Ensuring good lab practices including health & safety, lab housekeeping, staff/student monitoring
Assisting Technical Services Manager in safety, estate and maintenance issues across the School.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

Minimum HNC/HND or equivalent in Electronics or other relevant subject or substantial work experience in a similar role
Experience of laboratory skills working in a teaching/research environment or similar industrial workplace.
Knowledge of analogue and digital electronics
Experience using standard laboratory equipment, oscilloscopes, signal generators, mustimeters etc.
Experience of maintenance and fault finding of equipment
Good understanding of health & safety regulations and procedures.
Good planning, team, communication and organisational skills
A positive, can-do, attitude with a willingness to accept responsibility.
Can provide technical supervision, guidance and training to staff and students.
A flexible approach and the ability to communicate at all levels.
Able to work effectively as an individual and as a member of a team planning, team, communication and organisational skills.
Some manual handling will be involved requiring fitness and physical effort.

Desirable Criteria

Relevant degree.
Experience of working in a practical role.
Experience using microcontrollers, FPGAs and DSPs.
Experience of risk assessment, COSHH, Safe Systems of Work, radiation, lasers
Experience of working within a teaching and learning environment.
Awareness of science outreach activities.
An aptitude for IT
A willingness to learn new skills and processes.

About our Team

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international teaching and research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology. In addition, we deliver teaching across 6 undergraduate and post-graduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has received the Bronze Award from the Athena SWAN Charter recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the fields of science and technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Our research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding. We have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences, the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences, the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Bio Physics & Bio Engineering. REF2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Heriot-Watt ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

GRID is a new ground-breaking facility (opened Summer 2019) to advance our Global Research, Innovation and Discovery. It has been designed to create cohesion between academic disciplines, industry partners and the global community, providing an innovative teaching and learning environment for mathematics, engineering, physical sciences and computer science students and staff. Located at the heart of the Edinburgh Campus, GRID is designed to excite tomorrow's thinkers and challengers. It is a globally networked space where students can learn, tackle, and immerse their curiosity and intellectual passions and create and experiment with ideas that could design solutions to real-world challenges. Featuring the very latest in technological innovation, including Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Gaming studios it has the capability to connect with global industry partners and our other university campuses around the world

Competencies, Tasks and Responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities listed under the following Competency Headings form part of all technical roles in the University at this level and it is expected that the role-holder will perform them to at least an effective standard at all times.

Team Work

Contribute to and provide general support across the team.
Contribute to collective decisions on discipline issues through meetings and direct communication with the Technical Supervisor
Train team/colleagues in operational activities by providing technical instruction and guidance for students and staff on the appropriate use of equipment as required.
Cover for other colleagues within the immediate team

Service Excellence

Create a positive image of the University by being responsive, prompt and courteous when responding to requests or enquiries from customers.
Maintain service standards for the team.
Produce standard and ad hoc reports as requested.
Enter and maintain records and data into the appropriate university system.
Develop and refine designs from limited or incomplete information.
Liaise with internal and external teams, committees, bodies etc. to ensure an effective service.
Carry out general lab duties and maintain lab equipment.
Keep working area clean and tidy in line with appropriate H&S requirements.
Ensure that equipment/apparatus/systems etc in your area are maintained, serviced, backed-up and repaired as required, reporting any issues to your manager.

Clear and Consistent Communications

Explain regulations, operating instructions or other information to colleagues and students.
Reply to simple requests for information, routing enquiries where information is standard/routine.
Write standard communications using templates, understanding what parts of the template to use as appropriate.
Draft non-standard communication for review and use by more senior members of the team.
Collect and analyse data and report results where necessary.

Planning and Organising

Plan, schedule, prioritise and manage own work activities within established procedures and protocols.
Organise and set up teaching labs and demonstrations as required.
Provide appropriate support for technical inspections.
Plan projects and work programmes delegated by the Supervisor.
Organise and prioritise access to equipment and work tools in conjunction with colleagues.
Organise installation and trial of manufactured components in close liaison with customers.

Initiative and Problem Solving
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