Senior Technician (Helium Liquefier)

Dunhillmedical; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pensions

Flexible working

Discounts

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a skilled technical professional to manage the School’s Helium Liquefier facility on site. You will ensure smooth operation, supply liquid helium to research groups, and provide data for billing and reporting.

The role includes cryogenic equipment repairs, health and safety compliance, and collaboration with Physics labs and external partners. Working under the Technical Manager, you will lead maintenance, plan resources, train colleagues, and support

Qualifications

• Experience equivalent to Level 6 (Degree) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description
• Knowledge of health and safety issues and procedures
• Knowledge of the properties of cryogens and related health and safety issues
• Knowledge of PSSR regulations and their requirements
• Knowledge of workshop activity: vacuum technology, metrology, material finishing, CNC and conventional machining, welding (TIG)
• Experience with compressors and high/low pressure gas systems
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• A good level of IT skills using Microsoft packages and Google apps
• Ability to work with PhD students to senior academic staff
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities
• Technical Professional Registration or willingness to work towards it

Responsibilities

• The day to day running of the Helium recovery and supply service
• Enable the continued use of the helium liquefier and determine liquid helium requirements for research groups
• Provide data to support billing and financial reporting for the Helium Liquefier Facility
• Repair cryogenic equipment and advise customers on safe use of cryogens
• Provide progress updates on construction/repair to customers and propose modifications as needed
• Consult with external organisations to develop solutions and identify suitable materials
• Undertake repairs and maintenance servicing to ensure ongoing operation and stock levels
• Contribute to a team providing manufacturing and repair capability to the department and to national/international projects
• Oversee monitoring of liquid nitrogen levels, prepare weekly orders, maintain stock records
• Plan and work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation and guidelines
• Train technical colleagues in liquefier operation and provide technical support across Physics labs
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Skills

Effective communication

IT skills

Collaborate with researchers

Creative problem solving

Resource planning

Education

Level 6 degree

Technical Professional Registration (or willing)

Tools

Vacuum technology

Metrology

Material finishing

CNC machining

Welding TIG

Compressors & gas systems

Job description

School/Department: Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 04/12/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Working under the direction of the Technical Manager, you will manage the School’s Helium Liquefier facility, providing technical knowledge and skills, to enable the ongoing operations of the Liquefier.

The facility produces approximately 80,000 liquid litres per annum, which supports the low temperature research in the department. The helium liquefier is a complex process which liquefies recovered helium gas from research laboratories, the liquid is subsequently re-used in low temperature research and the resultant gas is recovered, stored and re-liquefied.

The role will also provide some technical support to the Physics research laboratories within the School. This includes but is not limited to maintenance, health and safety support and reactive and planned maintenance of equipment.

Main duties and responsibilities

The day to day running of the Helium recovery and supply service.

Enable the continued use of the helium liquefier. To ascertain liquid helium requirements of research groups and to distribute liquid helium and other cryogens as required.

Provide data to enable the billing and financial reporting of the Helium Liquefier Facility.

To repair cryogenic equipment and advise customers on the safe use of cryogens.

Provide regular updates on progress of construction/repair to customers, recommending and agreeing to any necessary modifications.

Where required, consult with external organisations to develop solutions and identify suitable materials.

Undertake repairs and maintenance servicing of apparatus and equipment to ensure its ongoing operation and viability, planning and scheduling general maintenance to equipment and maintaining appropriate levels of stock.

Contribute to a team that provides manufacturing and repair capability to the department and to National and International research projects.

Oversee the monitoring of liquid nitrogen levels,prepare weekly orders and keep records.

Maintain and record gas cylinder stocks and order as and when required.

Plan and work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines.

Train technical colleagues in the operation of the liquefier.

Provide some technical support across Physics Research laboratories and the wider School.

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

Experience equivalent to Level 6 (Degree) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description

Application

Knowledge of relevant health and safety

issues and procedures.

Application/interview

Knowledge of the properties of cryogens

and related health and safety issues.

Application/interview

Knowledge of PSSR regulations and their

requirements.

Application/interview

Knowledge of workshop activity: for example vacuum technology, metrology, material finishing, CNC and conventional

machining, welding (particularly TIG).

Application/interview

Experience with compressors and high and

low pressure gas systems.

Application/interview

Effective communication skills, both written

and verbal.

Application/interview

A good level of IT skills using Microsoft packages and Google apps.

Application/interview

The ability to work well with a wide range of contacts from PhD students to senior

academic staff.

Application/interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to

problem solving.

Application/interview

Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities.

Application/interview

Technical Professional Registration or the willingness to work towards it.

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

6

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Technical Manager

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website .

For informal enquiries about this job contact Julie Bradley, School Manager: on [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in December 2026. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail] .

A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

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, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route

A range of generous family-friendly policies

paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

access to menopause support in the workplace

paid time off and support for fertility treatment

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
[phone]