About the role

The University of Leicester's School of Physics and Astronomy are seeking an Optical Precision Technician to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for fabricating bespoke optical components and associated tools using our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Your duties will include designing components with specialised software, generating toolpaths, and programming CNC machinery to manufacture one-off and small batch components.

You will conduct polishing work using machines and robots, ensuring precise part alignment, probing, and meticulous recording of experimental conditions. Monitoring variations in polishing conditions, analysing processing results, and providing feedback will be essential aspects of your role. Additionally, you will offer expert advice on grinding and polishing optical components to support our researchers, maintain equipment and machinery, and oversee the technical operations of the Zeeko lab, including planning schedules and resource allocation. Ensuring compliance with health and safety assessments related to general laboratory activities is also a key responsibility.

About you

The ideal candidate will hold a City & Guilds, BTEC, or NVQ level 4 qualification in engineering or a related technical subject, or possess substantial equivalent experience. You should have experience in fabricating optical components and associated tools, as well as proficiency in using polishing machines and robots, including tasks such as part alignment, probing, and machine checking. Technical laboratory and/or cleanroom experience is essential, along with a preparedness to attend appropriate safety training, which may include the use of cranes and lifting equipment for working at heights. Experience in mechanical and/or electrical assembly activities, maintaining laboratory or cleanroom equipment, and a willingness to learn new skills are crucial. You should be able to work on your own initiative, possess effective interpersonal and communication skills, and have the ability to follow procedures and protocols, especially when working with specialist test facilities.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Adrian Martindale on [email protected] or Dr Guoyu Yu on [email protected]

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

Applications for job share will be considered.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.