Senior Technician (Optometry Teaching)

University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

Flexible and Hybrid working

Job summary

University of Manchester is seeking a Senior Technician (Optometry) to join the Optometry facility. You will deliver high-quality practical teaching and clinical simulation, ensure safety and compliance, and support students, academic staff and external users.

The role involves supervising junior technicians, planning and maintaining teaching spaces, and deputising for the Technical Specialist when needed to ensure a safe, well-equipped learning environment.

Qualifications

• Qualification in a science-related subject area (degree/HND/HNC) or equivalent extensive relevant experience.
• Understanding of Optometry teaching spaces and requirements.
• Knowledge of practical teaching, clinical simulation or lab facility operations.
• Experience in a similar laboratory/teaching environment.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Providing senior technical support across the Optometry facility, including specialist advice and assistance for students, staff and external users.
• Supporting the Technical Specialist in planning, maintenance and safe operation of teaching spaces, equipment and materials.
• Supervising and supporting junior technicians, including induction, training and task coordination.
• Deputising for the Technical Specialist (Clinical Teaching) as required and coordinating teaching technical support.
• Maintaining clean, safe facility areas in line with health and safety and procedures.

Skills

Science degree

Optometry teaching awareness

Teaching lab operations

Organisational skills

Education

Science-related degree or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Senior Technician (Optometry). This role offers an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of high-quality practical teaching and clinical simulation activity within the Optometry facility, providing high-level technical and operational support, and hands‑on assistance to students, academic staff, colleagues and external users. The role holder will help ensure the Optometry facility is safe, well maintained, compliant with relevant health and safety and General Optical Council requirements, and able to support an excellent student and patient-facing learning experience.

You will be responsible for:

• Providing senior technical support across the Optometry facility, including specialist advice, preparation, troubleshooting and assistance for students, academic staff, colleagues and external users.
• Supporting the Technical Specialist (Clinical Teaching) in the day-to-day management, planning, maintenance and safe operation of Optometry teaching spaces, equipment and materials.
• Supervising and supporting junior technical team members, including contributing to induction, training, probation support, pastoral support and day-to-day task coordination.
• Deputising for the Technical Specialist (Clinical Teaching) when required and supporting effective coordination of teaching technical support and service provision.
• Maintaining clean, tidy and safe facility areas in line with health and safety requirements, standard operating procedures, risk assessments and local procedures.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• A qualification in a science-related subject area, such as a degree, HND or HNC, or equivalent extensive relevant experience in a technical or scientific role.
• Understanding of Optometry as a taught subject and the requirements of specialist Optometry teaching spaces.
• Knowledge of practical teaching, clinical simulation and/or laboratory facility operations within a science, healthcare or related environment.
• Experience of working in a similar laboratory, clinical simulation, teaching practical or technical environment.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage a varied workload to meet deadlines.

Desirable Criteria:

• Awareness of General Optical Council requirements, Quality in Optometry processes and the importance of compliance within Optometry teaching provision.
• Experience supporting Optometry teaching activity, such as maintaining trial lens sets, disinfecting contact lenses or supporting specialist optometry equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting specialist laboratory, clinical simulation or analytical equipment, methods and practical delivery issues.
• Experience supervising, supporting or training staff, trainees, apprentices or students.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, students, external users and colleagues across the University.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
• Purple Place employee discount platform

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working arrangements.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Anthony Steel
Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

Jobtrain Jobseeker Support Hub

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.