Technical Instructor, Civil Engineering

£31,814 to £35,750 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £41,113 per annum)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Our College of Science and Engineering is made up of the School of Science, School of Computing, School of Sport and Exercise Science, and School of Engineering. We are the University’s STEM College, in a city with a strong STEM heritage that hosts some of the world's leading STEM companies, and in a region with STEM at the centre of its economic growth plan.

Technical Services at the University of Derby underpins the key activities of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and innovation. As an applied University we value the importance of practical work and experimental learning. Our highly skilled Technicians from across all areas of the organisation have a vital part they play in delivering the very best student experience, developing research activity and contributing to innovation.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide specialist support to the built environment discipline, encompassing research, teaching, outreach, and industry activities. While this role supports the entire discipline, including surveying and fluids, your area of expertise will be in geotechnics and highway materials.

You will oversee health and safety in designated areas, maintaining risk management, maintenance logs, and equipment-specific safety systems to ensure compliance with Health and Safety Regulations and policies. This involves collaborating with academic and technical team members to ensure risk assessments and method statements are up to standard and clearly presented.

Our programmes conduct over seven residential field trips annually. Some trips involve just a few students gathering data for independent scholarships, while others are tied to module delivery with 40+. You will be expected to attend most of these trips, providing core technical support, ensuring equipment is used correctly and safely, and being a mentor to the students.

Technicians in the built environment sector are heavily involved in teaching due to the practical nature of the course. You will benefit from high standards of staff development and benefit from the university’s commitment to the Technician Commitment, which pledges to support the career development of technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in managing and organising resources and facilities to ensure effective service delivery.
• Deliver formal technical skills instruction sessions on equipment usage and relevant health and safety procedures.
• Create and update instructional materials, such as guides and videos, to support module delivery.
• Maintain effective communication with technical and academic colleagues to ensure optimal use of technical resources and staff.
• Oversee health and safety in designated areas, maintaining risk management, maintenance logs, and equipment-specific safety systems to ensure compliance with Health and Safety Regulations and policies.
• Develop systems to enhance the student experience and establish practical skills aligned with industry standards.
• Support off-site field trips and surveys, including residential trips.
• Conduct ongoing informal assessments of student competence.
• Support independent scholarships and projects across the entire subject area.
• Manage and plan for discipline developments and deliveries, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Assist and support research and knowledge transfer activities by facilitating research and associated schemes.
• Manage finances within the designated area and collaborate with budget managers to ensure financial efficiency and accountability.
• Work with the student employment agency to recruit students for short-term contracts to support laboratory facilities and events.
• Support open days and events as agreed with line management.
• Attend relevant meetings as agreed with line management.
• Participate in the university staff development review process and engage in continuous professional development to stay current with relevant technology.
• Undertake any other duties as required in agreement with line management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher in Civil Engineering/Related Engineering Discipline, or equivalent experiential learning in a related subject.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of providing technical delivery in a related scientific/environmental discipline in a Higher Education (HE) environment.
• Fieldwork experience related to Civil Engineering.
• Practical experience and good working knowledge of geotechnical testing equipment, concrete testing equipment and highway material testing equipment.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent and proven verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively to students and staff.
• Knowledge of using and maintaining equipment used in Civil Engineering, specifically Geotechnics.
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety including Manual Handling, COSHH and Risk Assessment.
• Knowledge of relevant computer modelling software (e.g. GEO5, FLAC Modeler, Slide).
• Ability to develop standard operating procedures for specialist/field classes.
• Change oriented approach with a commitment to the University values and behaviours.
• Manage own time/prioritises work of others in the team effectively.

Business Requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Attend field trips/residential or otherwise as agreed with line management.

Additional Qualifications

• Professional registration (e.g., Memberships of CICES/ICE/CIHT/IStructE/ Associate fellow of HE).
• First aid training.
• Driving licence.
• UAV Qualifications (A2C0C or GVC).
• Health and Safety Qualification or evidence of training.
• Qualification/training related to maintenance of equipment.

Compensation and Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata).
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers.
• Discounted onsite gym.
• Discounted access to Devonshire Spa.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• A flexible working environment.
• A commitment to personal and professional development.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Richard Bostock, Technical Team Leader via

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via .

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.

Be part of something extraordinary, apply now.

How to Apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

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