King's College London

About us

King’s College London is consistently ranked among the UK’s top 10 universities by the QS World University Rankings. The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) is a vibrant faculty based in the heart of London with a long tradition of world-leading research and teaching in physics, mathematics, chemistry, informatics and engineering.

About the role

The Technical Manager (Fabrication Workshop) will be responsible for the faculty’s newly built mechanical workshop facility in the Strand Campus, as well as providing ad hoc support and guidance for the adjacent Wheatstone Innovation Lab and other faculty workshop facilities.

The role-holder will primarily support research through manufacturing, modification, and design of bespoke components, apparatus and parts out of a range of materials, from prototype to high precision. They will have extensive expertise in conventional hand and machine tools such as milling machine and lathe, with significant knowledge and experience of CAD/CAM. Working directly with researchers, they will consult and advise on bespoke designs and solutions, provide advice on materials, timescales and costs. The role holder would be expected to provide the client with information and guidance when it is necessary to use external fabrication facilities.

The role-holder will manage all aspects of the fabrication workshop facilities including the training in workshop practices of staff and apprentices as appropriate. In addition they will play a supporting role in the operation of the student run Wheatstone, working closely with the Technical Manager (Project Spaces and workshops) to deliver training, supervision, advice and support to lab users whilst ensuring compliance with all relevant safety and management standards.

The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic machinist/toolmaker with experience in the research environment and proven expertise in the running of a fabrication workshop.

The successful candidate will be an active member of King’s Technical Network, engaging in Faculty and University initiatives to strengthen and share best practices, with an ongoing commitment to professional development. They will facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos in line with King’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) strategy, proactively liaising with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Management  

1.     Manage the day-to-day operations, output and maintenance of the NMES Fabrication Workshop.  

2.     Organise and manage facility maintenance and security, with oversight of local service charging, stocks, equipment and supplies.

3.     Maintain detailed and accurate records of fabrication service, including job costings, time scales, equipment and resources used; prepare reports as required. 

4.      Provide line management or supervision, as required, to apprentices and staff, managing duties, performance and development. 

Technical, health and safety

5.     Develop and maintain specialist expertise in workshop machining tools, e.g. lathe, milling machine, bandsaw, etc. 

6.     Work with research staff and students on the design of bespoke equipment and components from concept through to manufacture.  

7.     Maintain all workshops assets for safe use, managing the inventory, scheduling, risk assessments and standard operating procedures for all activities.

8.     Develop training materials and provide training and supervision for the faculty, researchers, and students as required. 

9.     Provide, as part of a wider technical team, a basic level of support resilience for the faculty’s workshops and labs at the Strand Campus.

10.   Assume responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of health and safety arrangements in all assigned areas. Prepare and maintain safety documentation (risk assessments, SOPs) and assist with the investigation of accidents/incidents/near-miss events. 

11.   Working with colleagues in Health and Safety Services, maintain a sound working knowledge of all relevant regulations, codes of practice and local guidance/protocols. 

12.   Undertake Evacuation Marshal and First Aid duties for the areas of responsibility. 

Professional

13.  Maintain accurate and organised electronic records in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and cyber security best practice. 

14.  Work both independently and cooperatively as appropriate to achieve the service objectives, taking independent decisions as appropriate. 

15.  Build and maintain strong relationships and networks with lab users, colleagues and contractors.  

16.  Implement environmentally sustainable practices, processes and sharing of best practice. 

17.  Commit to ongoing professional development. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1.      Substantive experience working with manually operated machining tools including a lathe, milling machine and bandsaw, tool grinding facilities.

2.      Ability to use product design packages (Autodesk, Solidworks, etc) confidently to create 3D designs of equipment and components needed for research applications.

3.      Understand the processes of sustaining and progressively developing a research and fabrication facility.

4.      Strong knowledge of up-to-date Workshop Safety best practice, including familiarity with relevant regulations, and the ability to create, follow and implement safety management documentation.

5.      Experience working in and providing technical support in a mechanical workshop and/or makerspace.

6.      Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date workshop service records.

7.      Ability to prioritise tasks whilst working to deadlines and demonstrating attention to detail.

8.      Experience in working individually and as part of a team to achieve specified goals.

9.      Strong interpersonal and behavioral skills with the ability to build professional working relationships with internal contacts, the wider university community and external suppliers.

10.    Strong written, oral, and IT communication skills, with significant experience of scientific report writing.

11.    Ability to organise and manage own workload.

Desirable criteria

1.      Significant knowledge and experience of CNC machining techniques.

2.      Broad knowledge of common ‘makerspace’ equipment and techniques including 3D printing, laser cutting, vacuum forming and 3D scanning.

3.      Formal H&S training such as IOSH Managing Safely, or willingness to gain qualification whilst in post.

4.      Evidence of an active commitment to professional development, such as working towards CEng or CSci.

5.      Experience in training and/or supervising research students.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.