Northumbria University

Applications are now open for a Daphne Jackson Research Technical Professional Fellowship within the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics at Northumbria University. This fellowship offers a personalised retraining and reskilling programme for individuals returning to a technical role in research after a career break of at least two years for family, health, or caring reasons. The fellowship can be structured as one-year full-time, 18-month part-time at 0.75 FTE, two-year part-time at 0.5 FTE, or another combination to suit the applicant.

About Northumbria University

Northumbria University is a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education’s University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. The university holds a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Technical staff support teaching and research across Physics and Engineering in research laboratories, workshops, and specialist learning spaces. The School’s activities cover astrophysics, space science, smart materials, photonics, renewable energy technologies, materials, manufacturing, automotive engineering, battery technologies, electrical, and civil engineering. We collaborate with a diverse range of academic and industry partners and align our research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on areas such as climate change, resilient infrastructure, sustainable energy systems, materials, and space science.

About the Role

We are seeking a research technical professional who has taken a career break of two or more years for caring, health, or family reasons and is looking to return to their career. You will contribute to departmental objectives by planning and prioritising your work, supporting colleagues, and improving processes and practices. The role involves maintaining professional knowledge, staying updated with emerging technologies, and providing technical support to staff and students.

• Provide guidance on technical concepts, deliver training, and promote safe working practices.
• Enhance existing skills and develop expertise in specialist areas while building a broad technical skillset.
• Work with advanced equipment in Engineering, including materials testing, rapid prototyping, PCB manufacturing, high-voltage systems, battery testing, nanocomposites, wind tunnels, and civil engineering materials.
• In Physics, work with thin-film deposition systems, microscopy and analytical techniques (SEM, FIB, XRD, profilometry), high-intensity lasers, optical communication technologies, solar simulations, and environmental testing equipment for space applications (thermal vacuum chambers, radiation, and vibration testing systems).
• Gain experience with advanced materials fabrication processes, including photolithography and chemical processing techniques.
• Contribute to teaching, research, and enterprise activities through preparation, setup, and support of practical work, laboratory operations, and collaborative research projects.
• Apply specialist techniques, generate high-quality research data, and support the development of experimental and analytical methods.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, calibrate, install, commission, and troubleshoot equipment while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.

Requirements

• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent practical/professional experience.
• Experience working in a laboratory, workshop, technical, or similar practical environment prior to your career break.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements, relevant scientific or engineering principles, and the use of technical equipment or systems.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, manage competing priorities, and demonstrate good organisational, IT, and numeracy skills.
• Willingness to learn, develop new technical expertise, and contribute positively within a collaborative environment.
• Strong problem-solving, communication skills, and attention to detail.
• Flexibility and understanding of safe working practices in a technical or research setting.

Work Environment

The successful candidate will be based in the Ellison Building on City Campus, supporting facilities across A, C, and E Blocks as part of a multidisciplinary technical team. The team includes three Scientific Officers, sixteen Senior Technicians, five Technicians, and one Apprentice, led by two Technical Managers. The role typically operates Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, with flexibility in working arrangements depending on the agreed FTE pattern and the candidate’s preferences.

For further information about the role or eligibility criteria, contact djmft@surrey.ac.uk. To learn more about the Daphne Jackson Trust and other fellowship opportunities, visit www.daphnejackson.org. Note that a PhD is not required for this fellowship, though postgraduate study may be necessary for certain Scientific Officer roles in Physics.

Closing date for applications: Monday, 14th September 2026.