The full-time starting salary is normally £35,331 per annum, with progression available in post to £39,002 per annum.

Grade: E

Contract: 4 x Full-time, permanent positions available.

For almost two centuries, Birmingham City University has shaped thousands of lives. We have helped redefine a city, influenced the region, and impacted further afield. From our roots as the Birmingham Government School of Design, we have forged a formidable history.

As a teaching-intensive University, our courses are rooted in practice-based learning, and we provide wider support that sets our students up to succeed after graduation. While this is our core focus, we recognise the enduring importance of research and enterprise activity, which is acknowledged within our newly launched strategy, setting us on our path to 2030 and beyond.

As a Senior Technician in our growing team, you will work closely with our academic colleagues to shape the delivery of practical hands-on learning experiences for students on our specialist programmes.

We have four positions available, each role focused on supporting students in the production of high-quality outcomes and maintaining safe and efficient working environments in workshops, labs, and studio spaces. There is a strong emphasis on demonstrations, skill delivery and technical training and we are looking for candidates with significant knowledge in one of four focus areas:

Jewellery Making - excellence in craft, material experimentation, silversmithing, traditional bench skills, stone setting, laser welding and polishing
Jewellery Machining – machining expertise on equipment such as Lathes, Milling machines with a jewellery or horology focus. Experience and competence in maintaining a range of traditional workshop machinery.
Jewellery CAD/CAM – strong knowledge and experience in digital design and digital making processes for jewellery and related object manufacturer, experience of software such as SolidWorks, MatrixGold, Rhino, experience with 3D printing and or CNC processes.
Jewellery Processes – strong knowledge and experience in jewellery and object related hazardous processes such as plating, casting, enamelling. Knowledge and understanding of COSHH and related safety processes.

The successful candidates will be expected to use excellent communication and organisation skills to manage their time and workload and work closely with teaching staff to continuously deliver a high-quality experience to students. A co-operative and flexible approach is essential and will require the occasional weekend working at promotional events, open days, exhibitions and training events.

As a Senior Technician, the successful candidate will be comfortable working within a team as well as on their own initiative. You will be expected to carry out all tasks associated with the running of a facility of this kind, this will involve.

Training students, through 1:1 instruction and group demonstrations.
Maintaining equipment, and scheduling machine servicing.
Ordering materials and recording material use and stock levels.
Championing sustainable working methods and use of resources.
Managing appointment and demonstration bookings
Creating and reviewing health and safety documentation.
Manage equipment loans and distribution.
Inspire workshop use for all students across our faculty.
Use a range of common and specialized software.

The candidates should be qualified to degree level in a relevant subject (or equivalent level combination of qualifications, skills and experience) and be able to demonstrate significant practical experience of jewellery production. Have strong communication skills with an ability to impart technical knowledge to individuals, groups of students, colleagues and external organisations. Have good IT skills including Microsoft Office programs, , familiar with Asset Management software and online communication tools.

Essential experience in the following areas:

Senior Technician Jewellery Machining - Proven experience operating and maintaining manual engineering machinery, including lathes, milling machines, drills, and associated workshop equipment.

Senior Technician Jewellery CAD/CAM - Advanced knowledge of 2D and 3D design software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, and MatrixGold to prepare accurate technical drawings and 3D models for manufacture.

Senior Technician Jewellery Making - Proven experience producing high-quality jewellery pieces using traditional bench skills and techniques.

Senior Technician Jewellery Processes - Strong practical knowledge of traditional and modern casting techniques, including wax preparation, mould making, metal melting, and pouring to produce high-quality cast pieces

Desirable:

Knowledge of CAD software packages, including Rhino and Matrix Gold.
COSHH qualification
IOSH/NEBOSH qualification

Interviews will consist of a practical skills task and a formal question and answer interview. Candidates are encouraged to attend interviews with portfolios or physical samples of work relating to the role they are applying for. For further information about the role, please contact: Courtney.Cornelius@bcu.ac.uk

Please click the below link to download the Job Description:

Job Description

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so, and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

At the heart of our Strategy for 2030 and Beyond, it is our mission to enable our students to transform their lives and to achieve their potential. Through our education and research, and the roles our graduates go on to play in the world, we not only support individuals to transform their lives, but we also play a part in transforming society.

Located in the centre of the UK’s second city, we are a university with a long heritage of innovation and of making, dating back to our origins in 1843 when we were founded as the Birmingham Government School of Design.

Our heritage of making through innovation and its application through knowledge exchange, and of creative research and practice, today finds it expression in our STEAM agenda, in our research and enterprise, and in our commitment to challenge-based learning. Working across disciplines, and delivering impactful research and enterprise, interdisciplinarity is at the heart of the continuing transformation of our academic portfolio.