Rocks Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician

Durham University; Houghall; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham University invites applications for a Rock Mechanics Laboratory Advanced Technician within the Department of Earth Science. The role supports day-to-day technical operations in teaching and research laboratories, focusing on mechanical and electronic equipment, rock sample machining, and basic design and fitting of components.

The post holder will ensure health and safety practices, coordinate with workshops and IT teams for maintenance, and manage consumables and stock levels to sustain

Qualifications

• Experience in operating mechanical and electronic equipment in a laboratory setting.
• Experience machining rock samples and handling rock materials.
• Maintenance and breakdown repairs of laboratory facilities and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist day-to-day technical functions and operations in the Earth Science Department.
• Provide flexible technical support for teaching and research laboratories.
• Monitor health and safety practices in the main laboratory and sample preparation room.
• Liaise with Faculty of Science workshops and CIS/departmental IT team for maintenance and development of laboratory IT facilities.
• Manage consumables and equipment stocks and maintain laboratory databases (data records, storage, backups).

Skills

Machining rock samples

Mechanical component fitting

Lab safety awareness

Lab equipment maintenance

Tools

Conventional machine tools

Laboratory IT systems

Job description

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 practise 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.