The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is hiring a Senior Teaching Technician: Geotechnical Engineering to join its School of Engineering in the United Kingdom.
This is a full-time, permanent position based at the university’s Frenchay Campus. The university states that it may be able to sponsor eligible candidates under the UK Skilled Worker visa route, making the position potentially suitable for qualified international applicants.
Job Details
| Category | Details |
| Job Title | Senior Teaching Technician: Geotechnical Engineering |
| Employer | University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) |
| Location | Frenchay, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom |
| Job Type | Full-time, permanent |
| Working Hours | 37 hours per week |
| Salary | £34,610–£38,784 per year |
| Visa Sponsorship | Skilled Worker visa may be available |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Experience Level | Senior Level (10+ years) |
| Industry | Education / Engineering |
About the Job
UWE Bristol is looking for an experienced Geotechnical Engineering Technician to join its School of Engineering and support practical teaching, student projects and research activities.
The successful candidate will become part of a team of technical professionals supporting practical engineering education within the university’s test laboratories.
The position provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of engineering education while working closely with academic and programme teams.
The successful applicant will help create an environment where students can develop practical engineering skills and gain hands-on experience with specialist equipment and laboratory techniques.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Teaching Technician will be expected to provide technical and practical support across engineering teaching and research activities.
Responsibilities may include:
- Managing specialist geotechnical engineering laboratories
- Operating and maintaining technical and laboratory equipment
- Supporting practical classes
- Demonstrating engineering techniques and procedures
- Providing hands-on instruction to students
- Supporting student projects
- Supporting research activities
- Working with academic and programme teams
- Helping develop practical teaching activities
- Ensuring laboratory activities are conducted effectively and safely
- Sharing technical knowledge and expertise with students
- Supporting the development of future engineers
The role is particularly suited to someone who enjoys working in a technical environment and has a strong interest in helping students develop practical engineering skills.
Who UWE Bristol Is Looking For
UWE Bristol is seeking an experienced technician with a background in geotechnical engineering or a closely related technical field.
The ideal candidate should have:
- Experience working in a technical environment
- Strong knowledge of geotechnical engineering
- Experience operating technical or laboratory equipment
- Experience providing practical instruction or demonstrations
- The ability to support students in a teaching environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A commitment to continuous professional development
- The ability to work collaboratively with academic and technical teams
The university states that applications may be considered from candidates with a wide range of technical, industrial, practical and process experience.
Education and Professional Development
Applicants are expected to have a degree-level qualification in a relevant subject area.
Candidates should also be able to demonstrate continuing professional development (CPD) and evidence of ongoing professional growth in relevant technical or engineering areas.
Your professional experience can be particularly important, so applicants should clearly demonstrate how their practical and technical background relates to the requirements of the position.
Workplace and Campus
The role is based at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus.
This is a campus-based position, meaning the successful candidate will be expected to work on campus for the full duration of their working time.
UWE Bristol is one of the largest higher education providers in South West England, with approximately 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from around the world.
The university provides modern facilities designed to support teaching, research and professional development.
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a salary of:
£34,610 to £38,784 per year
Salary offers are determined according to the university’s salary assessment guidelines and take into account relevant skills and experience.
UWE Bristol also highlights a range of employee benefits, which may include:
- Generous annual leave
- Career-average pension schemes
- Retail savings
- On-site nursery
- Training opportunities
- Personal development opportunities
- Progressive pay arrangements
Specific benefits and terms should be confirmed with the university during the recruitment process.
Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship
International applicants may be interested in this vacancy because UWE Bristol states that it may be able to sponsor eligible candidates under the UK Skilled Worker visa route.
However, sponsorship is not guaranteed.
The university states that visa sponsorship eligibility is assessed at the offer stage. Being invited to an interview does not mean that sponsorship will be provided.
Applicants should therefore make sure they understand the current UK Skilled Worker requirements and confirm whether the specific position and their circumstances qualify for sponsorship.
UWE Bristol also states that it does not cover visa or immigration health surcharge costs.
If you are applying from outside the UK, you should be prepared to provide the appropriate documentation and meet the relevant immigration and employment requirements.
Right to Work in the UK
Candidates who receive an offer will need to provide valid documentation confirming their right to work in the United Kingdom before employment begins.
For international applicants requiring sponsorship, the university will assess eligibility as part of the recruitment and offer process.
Diversity and Inclusion
UWE Bristol says it is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.
The university welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from groups that are currently underrepresented within its School of Engineering.
The university also states that appointments are made on individual merit and welcomes applications from people with disabilities.
How to Tailor Your CV for This Job
If you are applying for this position, your CV should be specifically tailored toward geotechnical engineering, laboratory work, technical support and engineering education.
1. Start With a Strong Professional Summary
Your opening profile should immediately establish your experience as a geotechnical engineering technician or technical professional.
For example:
Experienced Geotechnical Engineering Technician with [X] years of experience supporting laboratory operations, practical engineering education, technical testing and student projects. Skilled in operating and maintaining specialist equipment, delivering practical demonstrations and providing technical support within engineering environments.
Adjust this to reflect your actual experience.
2. Highlight Geotechnical Engineering Experience
Your professional experience section should clearly show your relevant geotechnical background.
Emphasize experience involving:
- Geotechnical laboratory testing
- Soil mechanics
- Foundation engineering
- Site investigation
- Ground engineering
- Construction materials testing
- Soil classification
- Laboratory equipment
- Engineering testing procedures
- Technical reporting
- Quality control
- Health and safety procedures
Only include areas in which you have genuine experience.
3. Showcase Laboratory and Equipment Skills
Because this position involves managing specialist laboratories, make your laboratory and equipment experience easy to find.
Mention relevant equipment you have worked with and explain what you used it for.
Where possible, include achievements rather than simply listing equipment.
4. Include Teaching or Training Experience
This is a Senior Teaching Technician position, so teaching and student-support experience can strengthen your application.
Include experience such as:
- Demonstrating laboratory procedures
- Training students or junior technicians
- Supervising practical sessions
- Delivering technical demonstrations
- Supporting engineering projects
- Mentoring students
- Preparing laboratory exercises
- Providing technical instruction
If you have never formally taught students, highlight relevant workplace training, mentoring or technical instruction experience.
5. Highlight Your Degree and CPD
Clearly list your degree and any relevant professional development.
Relevant qualifications could include engineering, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering or a closely related discipline.
Also include:
- Professional certifications
- Technical training
- CPD courses
- Health and safety training
- Laboratory training
- Engineering software training
- Professional memberships
6. Demonstrate Senior-Level Experience
The vacancy is classified as a senior-level position, so your CV should demonstrate increasing responsibility throughout your career.
Highlight occasions where you:
- Managed laboratory operations
- Supervised technical staff
- Led practical activities
- Managed equipment
- Improved laboratory processes
- Supported research
- Trained colleagues
- Coordinated projects
- Worked with academic or engineering teams
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements.
7. Use Relevant Keywords
Your CV should naturally include keywords that match the vacancy.
Potential keywords include:
Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Laboratory Management, Engineering Technician, Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, Technical Support, Practical Teaching, Student Projects, Engineering Education, Equipment Maintenance, Research Support, CPD, Health and Safety, Technical Demonstrations and Laboratory Operations.
Application Tips for International Candidates
If you are applying from outside the UK, make sure your CV clearly communicates your qualifications in a way that a UK employer can easily understand.
You should:
- Clearly list your degree and institution.
- Provide dates for your education and employment.
- Explain relevant technical responsibilities.
- Highlight laboratory and geotechnical experience.
- Include professional certifications and CPD.
- Mention relevant teaching, training or mentoring experience.
- Clearly state any professional memberships.
- Avoid unnecessary personal information.
- Check your eligibility for the Skilled Worker route.
- Confirm the latest sponsorship requirements before accepting an offer.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the university’s application process and provide clear examples demonstrating how their skills and experience meet the requirements listed in the person specification.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was originally published through Careerjet and is presented here to help job seekers discover international employment opportunities.
OpportunityShape does not guarantee employment, visa sponsorship or visa approval. Skilled Worker sponsorship is subject to the employer’s eligibility assessment and applicable UK immigration rules. Always verify important employment and immigration information with the employer and official UK government sources before making decisions.