Nanofabrication Technical Specialist

About the role

The Nanofabrication Facility seeks to appoint a highly skilled, adaptable and self-motivated Technical Specialist to provide technical and experimental support to its services within ISO class 6 suite of cleanroom laboratories. This is a role within the centralised Core Research Facilities structure at Bath University, contributing to the development and continued operation of this exciting facility. The Nanofabrication Facility is one half of the Advanced Fabrication Facility, which also houses expertise and equipment for drawing optical glass fibres.

Working closely with colleagues within the Core Research Facilities, researchers, students and technical teams within the Department of Physics and Engineering departments at Bath, you will be responsible for running and maintaining the Nanofabrication Facility and associated specialist processing equipment including photolithographic patterning, materials deposition and etching tools, and for technical engagement with users both internal and external to the University. You will also ensure that the highest standards of health and safety and ethics are always maintained and be meticulous in keeping records. 

Both Advanced Fabrication facilities operate in cleanroom environments and attract many users, both researchers and students at Bath university, and external companies. The Nanofabrication Facility is the primary facility to which this role relates, supporting research projects such as  EPSRC grant EP/X015033/1 Intrinsic Pinning in Magnetic Iron-Based Superconductors; a Route to High Critical Current Conductors at High Magnetic Fields, US Army Research Office grant W911NF-24-1-0145 In-situ vortex manipulation and trapped flux removal in superconducting electronic devices, EPSRC grant EP/V055224/1 Displacement Talbot Lithography: accelerating a versatile and low-cost patterning technique for precision manufacturing. 

Working experience of running and maintaining nanofabrication equipment, and experience of working in a cleanroom environment and the health and safety considerations therein are essential attributes for this role.  A knowledge of optical fibre drawing would be beneficial but not essential as training will be provided. Applicants should preferably possess a degree or equivalent in a relevant science/engineering discipline. We are looking to recruit an individual who will quickly grasp how to operate equipment and is a methodical problem-solver, willing to think creatively to repair equipment to maximise uptime for service delivery, and has good communication skills in order to manage projects, train users, and uphold health and safety best practices for all users.

More information about the Facility can be found here and the Core Research Facilities Professional Services department can be found here. 

The post is offered on an open-ended contract basis. Internal applicants may be considered on a temporary secondment basis from their current role, subject to current workload.

Informal enquiries about the post may be made to:

Dr Christy Waterfall (Head of Core Research Facility Operations) via email: 
research-facilities@bath.ac.uk, and

Professor Simon Bending: pyssb@bath.ac.uk. 

The closing date for applications is Tues 6^th May and the panel will be scoring applications on Thursday 8^th May 2025.

Interviews will take place in-person at the University of Bath campus on Tues 3^rd June 2025. 

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality & intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. . We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

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