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The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values click here.

The Role and Department

The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is one of the major research groups in the Physics Department at Durham with approximately 70 staff and research students. We are distributed across two physical locations, one of which is in the new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics on the University science site in Durham, and the other is at the Northeast Technology Park (NETPark), an internationally recognised location for science and technology companies, based about ten miles away in Sedgefield, Co. Durham.

CfAI has been at the cutting edge of space science and research for many years. We have a strong international reputation, particularly within astronomical research, and apply our in-depth knowledge and strengths in optical engineering, mechanical engineering, software, biophysics and ultra-precision manufacturing to design, manufacture, and commission complex instrumentation across numerus industrial sectors.

The post holders time will Initially be spent at Sunderland College for the first year and then split between the CfAI (NETPark) and the Department of Physics in Durham during the training period. In this time the post holder will be responsible for learning and assisting the day-to-day engineering functions and operations whilst providing technical and engineering related assistance from within the Precision Optics Laboratory.

The post holder will be required to undertake formal training within the group in a variety of disciplines such as Mechanical and Electronic engineering to provide technical assistance to support research activities conducted within the CfAI. In addition, the post holder will be required to follow an approved apprenticeship training framework of a Mechanical Engineering discipline delivered by an external provider.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year (in additional to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year), a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Discounts via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• On site nursery and children’s clubs during the summer holidays.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers)
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications, to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• Generous pension schemes.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role including:

Desirable

10. Experience of working in a customer focussed technical service.

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

Who to contact for more information

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Paul White, Senior Experimental Officer would be happy to speak to you: [email protected]

Specific role requirements:

• To fulfil the terms and conditions of the apprenticeship, the post-holder will be required to complete training on a weekly basis towards the Apprentice Framework in Engineering at Level 3.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Contribute input within a service team to provide a responsive service for stakeholders.
• Contribute input to deliver a stakeholder-focussed service.
• Follow documented service procedures, referring to more experienced colleagues with less straightforward issues.
• Demonstrate some pre-employment familiarity with the techniques, and processes used in the service area.
• Learn about the hazards and risks within own area of work and report incidents in accordance with recognised procedures and protocols.
• Use a range of manual, electronic and specialist tools and equipment to deliver services under supervision.
• Clean and maintain straightforward investigative, analytical and sensing, mechanical and digital equipment under supervision.
• Carry out a range of tasks that require a more than standard level of physical, manual and sensory dexterity, following training, for short periods of time.
• Wear and use protective equipment and clothing to carry out tasks on a day to day basis.
• Gather and/or record data on standard systems in accordance with protocols and procedures.
• Interpret Technical drawings with a mechanical bias for manufacturing purposes.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Teamwork

• Contribute to team effort with more straightforward tasks during peak work flows.
• Assist team members to complete tasks to meet learning, teaching and/or research objectives.
• Assist team members to prepare, set-up, and dismantle specialist equipment, tools and facilities under supervision.
• Assist team members to complete work and report incidents in accordance with risk assessments specific to tasks and environments.
• Assist team members to monitor and replenish stock levels of resources.

Communication/Personal

• Respond to straightforward requests for information from stakeholders.
• Communicate with supervisor, team members, other staff, students and visitors in person or using electronic tools and applications.
• Learn new skills and techniques on the job working alongside more experienced team members.

Role responsibilities:

• Learn to use machine tools, hand tools and CNC machines to produce components to a high degree of accuracy, within the mechanical workshop and department.
• Gain experience in precision engineering using 3 and 5 axis Nanotech's Ultra-Precision Machines and both contact and non-contact metrology equipment.
• Learn the fundamental skills required to produce 3D mechanical designs using Autodesk inventor.
• Learn to maintain complex, specialist teaching and research apparatus, equipment, instruments, systems, software, and appliances relevant to the mechanical workshop, including the identification of problems, troubleshooting and repair under supervision.
• Work towards delivering projects that demonstrate a high standard of accuracy, complexity, originality, and excellence.
• Work in a safe manner, abiding by the University’s Health and safety procedures.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.