Assistant Technical Officer; Biogeomorphology

Assistant Technical Officer

A large and diverse team of technicians supports Manchester Metropolitan University's research and innovation activities. Working in specialist laboratories, workshops, studios and IT facilities, our technical professionals play a key role across the university from sciences, art, design and technology, through to sports, ceramics, nursing and physiotherapy.

This is a fixed‑term (21 months) opportunity to support a funded research project in the Bio Geomorphology Laboratory within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The Assistant Technical Officer will join a diverse team of technical staff who look after and support research in the Core Facilities and assist a small group of academic staff working on the specific NERC‑funded ‘Cohesion' project.

The role holder will support the fundamental tasks underpinning a set of experiments conducted in a 10 m flume. The position also requires occasional fieldwork involving sediment and macroinvertebrate sampling in UK streams and rivers. Ideal candidates will have an interest in working in a research laboratory and in environmental science, with experience in geomorphology, freshwater ecology or hydraulics.

• Learn to operate and maintain the experimental flume facility and its instrumentation.
• Prepare the flume for experiments (e.g., processing sand‑gravel sediment mixtures, cleaning and disinfecting).
• Assist experiments in the Bio Geomorphology lab (e.g., preparing equipment, constructing hardware, collecting, recording and collating data).
• Work in UK streams and rivers, often in challenging terrain, to collect field data and samples of water, sediment and macroinvertebrate fauna.
• Procure goods and services.
• Ensure health and safety compliance.

To provide the highest level of technical service, the successful candidate must be flexible, self‑initiated, proactive and a problem‑solver who can identify, discuss and enact solutions. Participation in training, professional development events and sharing information with team members is expected. Strong communication skills and teamwork are essential.

Interviews will take place on Friday the 26th June 2026.

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We therefore encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this, as well as any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application process.