Job Description

Job Title:

Senior Technician: Blast and Impact Group

Posting Start Date:

25/04/2025

Job Id:

1015

School/Department:

Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

31,637 - 36,130

Closing Date:

08/05/2025
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.

Overview

We are seeking to recruit an individual with a technical specialism in blast engineering. The Blast and Impact Engineering research group spans across the various disciplines in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. The laboratory, and your place of work, is located at Harpur Hill, Buxton. The laboratory is a leading research capability in the UK and has a stellar reputation and many years of experience of research on academic, industry, and government research projects.




As a Senior Technician in Blast & Impact Engineering you will play a key role within a team of researchers and technicians supporting the Blast and Impact Engineering research group project work. You will use your skills to take responsibility for planning, designing, developing, conducting and executing experiments to support research activities. With minimal supervision you will work safely, efficiently and effectively at all times in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.



This role will suit an excellent team player, who is able to work independently, apply strong organisational skills and manage multiple work streams to meet competitive deadlines to a variety of stakeholders.



Ability to work effectively with both internal colleagues and external industrial partners would be essential. The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and to communicate research findings to a wide range of academic and industrial audiences are also essential for this role.

Main duties and responsibilities

Support the research group as required in the execution of research experiments. Design of components for research projects, including assisting students and colleagues with drawing packs for offsite manufacture and/or purchase of parts. Be involved in the development, testing and construction/installation of new experimental techniques, instrumentation and/or equipment. Lead on the development of systems to maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work, engineering drawings etc. Attend all required safety and training courses, and comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations at all times. Take into consideration issues such as deadlines, availability of materials, cost, time and access to specialist equipment during the research planning process. Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Contribute to high quality reports alongside other researchers, for funders, the research group and towards external academic publications. Contribute to development of journal papers for high profile and respected conferences and journals at national/international level to disseminate research findings. Carry out administrative roles as required (e.g. coordinating meetings across various sites). Participate in the general collaborative working of a team for example, to present to the group, participate in its research seminar programme, engage in its training events, and to demonstrate research to visitors etc. As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role,

embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever


possible.


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 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.




Essential criteria




Minimum level 6 (degree) qualification or equivalent experience in a field relevant to blast engineering. [Application] Willingness and potential to complete IOSH Managing Safely qualification. [Application/Interview] Hands-on practical experience in the successfully conducting blast trials, including technical aspects and instrumentation [Application/Interview] Experience in the safe use and detonation of explosives (range conducting officer or equivalent). Experienced and proficient in development of techniques to measure the pressure from blast tests and in setting up data acquisition for blast testing Experience of working on an applied research project with an industrial end use Team-focussed to meet work goals including support for equality, diversity and inclusion. Ability to assess and organise resources and plan and progress work activities to meet key project deadlines Be able to write clear and succinct technical reports, and be able to communicate these to a wide variety of stakeholders, in a variety of methods, for example verbally, in presentation format, or written. Flexibility: Be willing to be on a call-out rota to be a first responder for alarm call outs, should the laboratory alarm go off outside of working hours. Having the tenacity to solve challenging research problems, leveraging existing knowledge, learning new skills and developing innovative and practical solutions





Desirable criteria



An early career record of publishing high quality peer-reviewed articles. A higher degree, at Masters or Doctoral level, in a field relevant to blast engineering, and/or professional registration of a relevant organisation (e.g. IEng, ICE)

Further Information

Grade:

6

Duration:

Fixed-term until 31 May 2026

Line manager:

Technical Manager; Blast Group (currently Dr T. Lodge)

Our website:

For informal enquiries about this job contact

Dr Tommy Lodge, Lab Manager: on t.j.lodge@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 14 May 2025. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 21 May 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mac-recruiters@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

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. Generous pension scheme. 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; A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more




We are a Disability Confident Employer. 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.