Senior Workshop Technician

Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Cardiff is seeking a Senior Workshop Technician to support the School of Chemistry. The role involves manufacturing bespoke equipment, troubleshooting, and providing technical support in a collaborative environment. Candidates should have substantial mechanical engineering experience and NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent. The position offers a salary range of £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

Qualifications

• Experience in a mechanical engineering environment.
• Ability to train staff in technical procedures.
• Experience maintaining various equipment and machinery.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for the workshops.
• Manufacture and maintain bespoke equipment.
• Train users on the safe use of equipment.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Communication skills

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Education

NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent

Tools

Lathes

Milling machines

Job description

Overview

Senior Workshop Technician
The School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff.

The School of Chemistry is seeking to appoint a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual as a Senior Workshop Technician. The post holder will work in the School’s Workshop Facility and laboratories to provide professional technical support to the School in terms of the repair and maintenance of equipment and the fabrication of bespoke scientific apparatus whilst also delivering high quality, precision engineering solutions. The successful candidate will be an effective team player and be able to adapt to a broad range of duties and challenges.

Informal enquiries about the post may be directed to Dr R Jenkins, Deputy School Manager ([e-mail]; 029 2087 6750) or Dr M Akhtar, School Manager ([e-mail]; 029 2087 0680).

For further details about working in Cardiff University please contact: Ms Caroline Pasmore ([e-mail]; [phone])

Please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemistry for further information about the School of Chemistry.

This position is full-time (35 hours per week), open-ended and is available immediately.

Salary: £28,031 - £31,236 per annum (Grade 4)

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 20789BR.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 9 October 2025

Closing date: Thursday, 6 November 2025

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose

• To provide technical support for the good functioning of the school’s workshops services and facilities.
• To manufacture, install and maintain bespoke equipment for use in research and teaching laboratories.
• To be a proactive and collegial member of the school’s administrative and technical support services.

Duties And Responsibilities

Key Duties

• Participate in the development, modification, design and construction of specialist/bespoke equipment and apparatus using various mechanical workshop machinery and techniques.
• Operate, maintain, service and adjust workshop machinery such as lathes and milling machines.
• Set up experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting students and staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus and with tests and experiments.
• Take responsibility for maintaining consumable stock levels, maintenance of machinery and apparatus within the mechanical workshop.
• To install, commission, maintain, modify and test specialist research apparatus and equipment.
• To carry out basic electrical fault finding on malfunctioning equipment.
• Following established guidelines train staff and research students in technical procedures, including the correct selection and safe use of equipment e.g. installation and leak testing of compressed gas regulators.
• Undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with co-workers and advise on options for improvement.
• Support the School of Chemistry in the implementation of new procedures and systems. To participate in the implementation of the School’s support services strategy as it applies to the Technical Services Team and to the good functioning of the School more generally, contributing actively to the delivery of high quality services and to a culture of continuous improvement.

General duties

• To work flexibly and co-operatively with other members of the School’s Administrative and Technical Services to ensure that the support provided continuously meet the needs of the School’s students, staff, visitors and partners.
• To support the implementation of the School’s Safety code of practice and the maintenance of a positive and proactive Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) culture across the School, including by completing COSHH risk assessments as necessary, undertaking all duties with due regard to HSE considerations, setting an example to others and reporting swiftly any concerns or issues to the School Health, Safety and Environment Officer or other appropriate members of staff.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
• To undertake any other duties not included above which are commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be determined by the Deputy School Manager, School Manager or Head of School from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications And Education

• NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Substantial experience of working in a mechanical engineering environment.
• Specialist knowledge and experience of maintaining various equipment, apparatus and machinery.
• Ability to set up and review standard technical processes and procedures and recommend improvements to the service provision as appropriate.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

• Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understating.
• Experience of supervising the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
• Ability to train junior technical staff and students in laboratory procedures and in the use of equipment and instruments.
• Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

• Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available.
• Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working as a technician in a Higher Education environment.
• Experience of high pressure tubing and compression fittings e.g. Swagelok'.
• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

About Cardiff School Of Chemistry

The Cardiff School of Chemistry sits within Cardiff University’s College of Physical Sciences and Engineering and provides a stimulating environment for research, teaching and learning, working at the cutting edge of modern chemistry.

Each year, we admit approximately 150 students to undergraduate MChem and BSc programmes and around 70 students to postgraduate taught and research programmes. Research and teaching is led by 42 academic members of staff with support from more than 80 postdoctoral and other technical staff.

The School has an annual turnover of approximately £7million per year and prides itself on its strong and growing industrial partnerships, as well as on its outreach activities to encourage young people to pursue scientific careers.

About The School’s Administrative And Technical Support Services

The School's administrative and technical support services provide the general, technical and specialist professional infrastructure required to enable the School to fulfill its strategic priorities and contribute fully to the University’s mission to create and share knowledge and to educate for the benefit of all.

The services are led by the School Manager, who oversees approximately 38 FTE managerial, administrative and technical staff, organised around four core teams: Education and Students, Research and Innovation, Technical Services and the Head of School’s Office.

For further information about the School, please visit our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemistry

Salary Range Min. 28,031

Salary Range Max. 31,236

Job Category Technical

Grade Grade 4