Rocks Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician Teaching and Research

Job Description – Rocks Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician Teaching and Research (26001368)

Job Number: 26001368
Department of Earth Sciences
Grade 5: £27,865 - £30,986 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 24 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Closing Date

03-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and Department

Applications are invited for a Rock Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician in the Rock Mechanics Laboratory. The Rock Mechanics Laboratory is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to the analysis and testing of rock materials and their mechanical properties. This laboratory is designed to support a wide range of research and practical applications in geology and Earth sciences.

The post holder will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day technical functions and operations in The Department of Earth Science, providing technical and engineering related assistance throughout a busy suite of teaching laboratories plus a large and diverse selection of research laboratories, thereby ensuring smooth and efficient operation throughout both areas.

The post holder will be required to provide flexible technical support as part of a technical team supporting all teaching and research activities conducted within The Department of Earth Science. Primarily supporting the operation of mechanical and electronic equipment; machining of rock samples; basic designing and fitting of mechanical components using conventional machine tools and techniques; monitoring of standard tests. They will also be required to monitor health and safety practice in the main laboratory and in the sample preparation room, and to carry out routine maintenance and undertake breakdown repairs of the experimental and sample preparation facilities as required.

The post holder will also be required to liaising with the Faculty of Science workshops during the commissioning and assembling of mechanical parts and with CIS/departmental IT team, for maintenance and development of the laboratory IT facilities (PCs, printers, digital cameras, etc.).

They will also be responsible for consumables and equipment used and to ensure stocks are maintained at an acceptable level, contribute to the implementation and maintain of good laboratory practice and perform basic management of laboratory databases (e.g. data record and storage, and back-up of laboratory PC’s).

Responsible to – The post-holder should report to the Rock Mechanics Laboratory managers Prof. Nicola De Paola and Prof. Stefan Nielsen.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

Essential Criteria

1. Good oral and written communication skills,
2. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning.
3. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
4. Qualified to Ordinary National Certificate level (or equivalent qualification / experience) in either a science subject, mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering or have A Levels in Science and Mathematics
5. Experience of working in a team and able to w ork flexibly, enthusiastically, efficiently and co-operatively with colleagues to support the teaching and research activities in the RML
6. Knowledge and expertise with the application of skills to create, build and construct resources, tools and equipment to meet teaching and research outputs. Record data and information accurately and provide reports as required
7. Experience of working within a laboratory environment with an understanding of the operation of general laboratory equipment, able to assist and train staff, students and visiting researchers as required, on experimental techniques for the preparation of rock samples. Full training of the post-holder in these aspects will be provided .
8. IOSH – Working safely qualification or alternative

Desirable Criteria

• Qualified to Higher National Certificate level (or equivalent qualification / experience) in either a science subject, mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
• Experience of working with engineering drawing packages (e.g. CAD, Solidworks) and laboratory research computing software (e.g. Labview, Matlab).
• Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
• Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.
• Experience of monitoring activities of self and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
• Keep up to date with Health and Safety policy and procedure/legislation changes by attending relevant University training.
• Assist team members to write and carry out risk assessments, respond to potential harmful situations according to procedures, and escalate issues where required.
• Carry out first-line visual inspection and safety checks regularly and on an annual basis.
• Basic geological knowledge motivated with a willingness to expand their knowledge.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• Optional - A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Prof. Nicola De Paola (nicola.de-paola@durham.ac.uk – 0191 3341592) and Prof. Stefan Nielsen (stefan.nielsen@durham.ac.uk – 0191 3344308) would be happy to speak to you.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Plan and organise your workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice.
• Escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members.
• Organise and schedule resources, activities and events.
• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
• Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.
• Provide more in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis activities within the role.
• Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources.
• Advise others and make recommendations on work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services.
• Liaise with others to identify resource requirements, store and deliver resources and keep accurate records of stock levels.
• Control of laboratory spending, monitoring expenditure to the appropriate budget code and cost centre.
• Prepare safety documents and risk assessments for teaching, research and learning activities, e.g. COSHH.
• Support and assist with the provision of health and safety whilst adhering to set guidelines.
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Teaching and Learning Support

• Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of research activities.
• Develop, construct and/or repair mechanical, electrical, electronic and digital equipment and tools, under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Deliver professional technical and experimental services to postgraduates, research assistants and academic staff to support teaching, research and learning activities to meet sector and professional body standards.
• Provide demonstrations and instruction on various laboratory techniques and practices and the operation of particular equipment to others outside the team.
• Provide supervision for research activities, including students and staff.
• Ensure the smooth running of a teaching or research facility and/or a range of laboratories, workshops, studios and/or experimental facilities, maintaining facilities to a safe standard for student use.
• Apply knowledge and skills to build, adapt, construct and repair test set-ups, experimental scenarios and laboratory equipment for demonstration lectures.
• Utilise new and existing resources to deliver research objectives.
• Prepare and set-up equipment and facilities for the delivery of research activities.

Teamwork

• Act as a more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members.
• Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Collaborate with team members and academic staff to implement service alterations and plan the future development of laboratories.

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders

• Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service.
• Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users.
• Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally, contributing to effective collaborative working.
• Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, industries, visitors, academic staff, students and colleagues across the University to ensure a smooth and efficient service.
• Assist and advise students working in research laboratories on technical aspects of their research projects.

Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

SECONDMENT

The post is fixed term for a 2 years and 7 months period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Grant code: RF050504