Technician - Battery Materials Processing & Controlled Environment

University of Warwick; Coventry; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Warwick is seeking an experienced laboratory technician to support engineering, research, testing and development activities within battery materials processing at the Energy Innovations Centre in Coventry. The role involves hands-on operation of lab and workshop facilities, equipment maintenance and collaboration with researchers and external partners.

You will assist with setup and execution of tests, manage consumables, and ensure health and safety across controlled environment

Qualifications

• Requires time-served/engineering apprenticeship background with practical lab/testing experience.
• Experience operating and supporting engineering test equipment and processes.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation of laboratory and workshop facilities.
• Assist with setup, execution and teardown of engineering tests and experiments.
• Support researchers, engineers, academics, students and external partners with project activities.
• Manage consumables, spares and laboratory supplies.
• Handle gas cylinders and bottles safely and efficiently.
• Participate in inductions, training and facility tours; deliver training where appropriate.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to colleagues, apprentices and students.
• Operate and maintain laboratory and workshop equipment per SOPs; fault-find where needed.
• Assist contractors during equipment installation, servicing and maintenance.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot gas, vacuum, pressure and purification systems.

Skills

Hands-on technical

Lab safety

Communication skills

Team player

Troubleshooting

Education

Level 4 Engineering Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced technician to join our laboratory and workshop environments in Coventry. Based within our global recognised Energy Innovations Centre at the University of Warwick, the post will provide hands-on technical support for engineering, research, testing and development activities within laboratory and workshop environments, related to Battery Materials Processing. The position will support the safe and efficient operation of facilities, equipment and experimental activities, particularly within battery materials processing and controlled environment laboratories, enabling delivery of research, development and testing projects for academic, research and industrial stakeholders.

• Support the day-to-day operation of laboratory and workshop facilities.
• Assist with the setup, execution and teardown of engineering tests and experimental activities.
• Support researchers, engineers, academics, students and external partners with project activities.
• Order, manage and control consumables, spares and laboratory supplies.
• Support the delivery, handling, storage and change-over of gas cylinders and bottles.
• Participate in laboratory inductions, training activities and facility tours, including delivering training where appropriate.
• Provide mentorship, guidance and technical support to colleagues, apprentices and T-Level students.
• Operate, monitor, maintain and fault-find laboratory and workshop equipment in accordance with SOPs.
• Assist contractors during equipment installation, servicing and maintenance.
• Carry out first-line fault diagnosis and troubleshooting on technical systems.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture across laboratory and workshop environments.
• Work safely with mechanical systems, electrical equipment, chemicals, gases and controlled atmosphere systems.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, standards, risk assessments, safe systems of work and local procedures.
• Support equipment installation, relocation, modification and reconfiguration.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as gloveboxes, vacuum systems, furnaces, atomic layer deposition (ALD) systems, thermal chambers, and other inert atmosphere equipment, as well as materials characterization tools.
• Diagnose and resolve issues related to gas, vacuum, pressure, and purification systems to ensure reliable operation of controlled atmosphere environments.
• This role will suit a Time Serviced / Engineering Apprenticeship qualified technician ideally qualified to Level 4 Engineering Qualification, with strong laboratory physical testing and chemical processing machinery and equipment experience.
• Good working experience in a related engineering discipline/environment. (Battery / Automotive / Chemical / Pharmaceutical / Food or other similar material processing industry sectors)
• A high level of practical, hands-on experience operating and supporting technical equipment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to follow technical drawings, procedures, and documentation.
• Conversant in computer software such as Microsoft Office.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to enable professional interaction with academics, interns, external partners and visitors.
• Knowledge of safe handling and preparation of sensitive materials (e.g., battery cells)
• Proven experience working safely with chemicals in an engineering or technical facility environment.
• Desirable FLT Counterbalance License (or willingness to obtain). Experience troubleshooting glovebox and associated gas purification or pressure systems. Experience operating any of the following characterisation equipment: GC-MS, FT-IR, STA, Raman Microscope, Particle Sizer analysers, ICP-OES, BET, XRD, Rheology.

University of Warwick is committed to and invests in the future of its own technical and engineering technician staff. Providing opportunities for career enhancement, gaining industry and academic qualifications and providing a safe and modern working environment with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to support continuous research of tomorrow's technologies