Chief Technician

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge seeks a skilled technician to join the Mechanics, Materials, and Design Division. This role involves supporting laboratory activities, providing advice on materials engineering, and assisting with undergraduate teaching. Ideal candidates will demonstrate relevant practical experience, possess an engineering qualification, and exhibit strong communication and IT skills. The position offers competitive pay, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive pay with progression

Generous annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Generous parental leave schemes

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Travel benefits and discounts

Support with relocation

Qualifications

• Relevant practical experience in materials engineering or mechanics.
• Good knowledge of relevant regulations and good practice.
• Ability to work with precision and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory activities within the Mechanics, Materials and Design Division.
• Provide technical support and guidance on materials engineering equipment.
• Assist with undergraduate teaching and training.

Skills

Practical aptitude

Communication skills

IT skills

Education

Formal engineering qualification

Job description

We are looking to appoint a skilled technician who will be based in the Mechanics, Materials and Design Division at the Department of Engineering's site in Central Cambridge. Reporting to the Materials Laboratory Manager, you will support laboratory activities around the Division, principally in the area of materials engineering, but including other areas such as mechanics and bioengineering. Specialist skills are required in understanding materials engineering experimentation techniques and instrumentation.

You will work closely with the other technicians within the Division to provide technical support across a broad range of teaching and research areas. As part of this service, you will be required to give guidance, specialist advice and support on designing, upgrading and using materials engineering equipment and protocols to students and staff who use the materials labs to conduct research and teaching. The role also involves assisting with undergraduate teaching.

The successful applicant will have a practical aptitude and be able to demonstrate relevant practical experience, a formal engineering qualification would be an advantage. You should also possess good communication and IT skills with a working knowledge of relevant regulations and good practice. The ability to work to a high degree of precision and accuracy in the testing of materials is desirable. Experience of providing training to groups and individuals would also be desirable.

If you think you are the right candidate for the role, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits Of Working At Cambridge Include

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost of living increases;
• Generous annual leave allowance;
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities;
• Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries and salary exchange schemes for childcare);
• An auto-enrolment pension scheme , with a generous employer contribution;
• Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores;
• Schemes to support with relocation / the provision of accommodation
  
  

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The closing date for applications is Sunday 10 August 2025. If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office on 01223 332615 or by email on [e-mail].

Please quote reference NM46678 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information

• Further Particulars
  
  

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