Technical Officer/Senior Technical Officer - School of Engineering (Civil)
With over 18,000 students and 2,000 members of staff, the University of Limerick (UL) is an energetic, research led and enterprising institution with a proud record in innovation and excellence in education, research and scholarship. The dynamic, entrepreneurial and pioneering values which drive UL’s mission and strategy ensure that we capitalise on local, national and international engagement and connectivity. We are renowned for providing an outstanding student experience and conducting leading-edge research. Our commitment is to make a difference by shaping the future through educating and empowering our students. With the River Shannon as a unifying focal point, UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 130 hectares. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance the campus’s exceptional learning and research environment.
Applications are invited for the following position:
Faculty of Science & Engineering
School of Engineering
Technical Officer/Senior Technical Officer - Permanent
Salary Scale: Technical Officer: €40,828 - €58,608 p.a.
Senior Technical Officer: €61,866 - €71,224 p.a.
Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:
Mr Nigel Coleman
Chief Technical Officer
School of Engineering
University of Limerick
Email: nigel.coleman@ul.ie
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, 7th April 2025. Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB SYNOPSIS:
The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day support of undergraduate teaching laboratories in the area of civil engineering and related fields. The successful candidate will have particular skills in the civil and construction engineering field, including but not limited to working with and testing construction materials (concrete, wood, metals etc.), design and manufacture of test rigs, land surveying, and soil mechanics. The candidate will support undergraduate Final-Year Project students, Master students, PhD, research and academic staff. They will support undergraduate laboratories, setting up of the laboratories and assisting Teaching Assistants/Academic Staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
* Technical Officer: Primary honors degree, (level 8 NFQ) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or in another related engineering discipline.
* Senior Technical Officer: Masters’ degree, (level 9 NFQ) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or in another related engineering discipline.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:
This role involves supporting undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, and academic staff, in the field of Civil Engineering and Construction Management & Engineering. The position is primarily based within the School of Engineering civil engineering, construction and materials laboratories.
The ideal candidate would have experience in civil engineering, working/assisting in a civil/construction environment.
DESCRIPTION:
Working as part of the technical support team, the successful candidate will be expected to work within a wide range of support areas involving undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory/studio work and to assume responsibilities for the operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities to ensure an efficient service for teaching and research requirements.
The successful candidate will report to the Chief Technical Officer and will be responsible for the day-to-day support of undergraduate teaching laboratories in the area of civil engineering and related fields. They will be responsible for the routine operation of undergraduate and research laboratories, upkeep of teaching and research equipment and other duties as assigned.
Duties would include but are not limited to:
* Enhanced role in the supervision of students on a day-to-day basis in a laboratory environment.
* Provide a support role to teaching duties such as laboratory and equipment demonstrations and general instruction.
* Assist in the design and development of practical classes and projects with the relevant academic staff.
* Assist in the training of laboratory demonstrators/teaching assistants.
* Concrete making and testing for both teaching and research requirements.
* Supporting land surveying requirements.
* Technical support for final-year projects, postgraduate and research activities.
* The testing of construction materials including wood, concrete, soils, metals etc.
* Instrumentation support on laboratory and field research projects.
* Experience in the operation and maintenance of various data logging and data acquisition equipment.
* Design and manufacture of test rigs.
* Operation, maintenance and repair of test equipment.
* Assisting academic staff in relation to undergraduate field trips and site visits.
* Promoting safe working practices and maintaining a safe working environment in a laboratory and fieldwork environment.
* The purchase/maintenance of laboratory equipment and consumables including interfacing with suppliers and service providers and planning schedules of preventative maintenance and repair.
* Supporting research activities. This may involve additional training e.g. with specific equipment and/or techniques.
* The successful candidate must possess good organisational skills, be flexible and capable of working as part of a team and on their own initiative.
* The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, good record keeping skills and IT skills.
* Commitment to continuous professional development, including taking on responsibilities in relation to new and emerging technologies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Provide technical support for undergraduate final-year project and master’s students.
* Provide technical support for academic staff, postgraduates, and research students.
* Undertake other relevant duties the Chief Technical Officer may assign.
Essential Criteria for Technical Officer:
* Primary honors degree, (level 8 NFQ) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or in another related engineering discipline.
* Three years’ recent and relevant experience.
* Experience working with and testing construction materials (concrete, wood, metals etc.)
* Experience in the design and manufacture of test rigs.
* Excellent communication, planning and organisational skills (including IT Skills)
Essential Criteria for Senior Technical Officer:
* Masters’ degree, (level 9 NFQ) or equivalent in Civil Engineering or in another related engineering discipline.
* Three years’ recent and relevant experience.
* Experience working with and testing construction materials (concrete, wood, metals etc.)
* Experience in the design and manufacture of test rigs.
* Excellent communication, planning and organisational skills (including IT Skills)
* The successful candidate must possess excellent project management skills, be highly organised, flexible and capable of working on their own initiative.
Desirable Criteria for Technical Officer/Senior Technical Officer:
* Experience working with students in a laboratory environment.
* Experience in concrete making and testing (concrete cubes/beams etc.)
* Experience in the area of land surveying and associated instrumentation.
* Experience working in a Project-Based-Learning environment.
* Some knowledge of civil engineering areas such as structural engineering, soil mechanics, hydrology, wind energy, reinforced concrete etc.
* Experience working with hand tools e.g. drills, saws etc. and general workshop equipment.
* Experience in ordering equipment/consumables.
* Be familiar with writing safe operating procedures and undertaking risk assessments etc.
* Experience in installing, commissioning and maintaining equipment.
* Proven leadership ability in problem solving.
* The successful candidate must possess good organisational skills, be flexible and capable of working as part of a team and on their own initiative.
* The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, good record keeping skills and IT skills.
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