Technical Team Leader

Salary: £35,608 to £37,694 with progression to £46,049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 14 November 2025

The Role

The Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to the role of Technical Team Leader.

This is an exciting opportunity to join and lead a team of technical staff supporting teaching and research activities across the faculty, in particular Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences and Analytical Services.

Our highly skilled and professional technical colleagues are essential in supporting and delivering successful teaching and research activities to an international standard.  As a faculty we have approximately 120 technical colleagues working on both our campus and off-site facilities across the North East of England, providing expertise that make a fundamental contribution towards Newcastle University’s impact on the world.

You will be responsible for the provision of technical management of environmental, biological, chemical, geoscience and analytical laboratories, and the line management of a team of technicians within the area of responsibility.

You will also support the Technical Operations Manager in the management of the wider technical services provision which will include aspects of school and faculty infrastructure, estate and health and safety.

You will need to demonstrate:

• a proven track record of working in laboratory environments and independent working
• excellent team-working, communication and organisational skills
• evidence of providing effective supervision to colleagues or students
• a proactive mindset with evidence of continuous improvement
• evidence of technical problem solving, and a solution focused approach
• health and safety management experience
• providing specialist technical expertise in a relevant subject area

For informal enquiries, please contact Donna Swan, Technical Operations Manager, by email: donna.swan@newcastle.ac.uk. The position is full-time and offered on an open-ended basis.

At Newcastle University we are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. For further details about Newcastle University please visit our information page at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about

Key Accountabilities

• To lead, manage and develop a technical team, ensuring effective performance. This will include responsibility for staff induction, training, performance management and performance development review, the allocation and prioritisation of duties, recruitment and authorisation of annual leave. Planning and implementing work schedules for the technical team ensuring an effective and flexible use of available resources
• Support the Technical Operations Manager with the planning, organisation and administration of space, infrastructure, the estate and wider technical services within their teams area of responsibility. To ensure the effective maintenance, security and facility management of the SAgE Faculty/School in their area of expertise, including third party arrangements. To lead on discrete estates related projects, including university wide initiatives
• In conjunction with the SAgE Faculty/School, manage the satisfactory maintenance, repair and calibration of all equipment and instrumentation within their area. To assist in the forward planning to upgrade and replace equipment. In collaboration with the SAgE Faculty/School Operations teams, to assist in the maintenance of the School’s asset register for planning and insurance purposes
• Monitor and maintain a safe working environment to health and safety guidelines, as well as managing and organising regular team meetings, health and safety meetings and laboratory inspections. Write, review and implement local guidelines and procedures. Lead on team safety issues and ensure safe working practices throughout their area of responsibility
• To manage and organise teaching and research laboratories to ensure the safe, secure and effective operation of these facilities. Liaising with academic stakeholders to ensure uniform and consistent delivery of teaching and research. Providing training, through their team, to staff and students in laboratory techniques relevant to their area of responsibility
• Ensure sound financial accounting whilst maintaining best value principles by maintaining records relating to the recharging of technical time where appropriate; and managing allocated budgets and expenditure
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of managing or supporting a team of technical staff in a laboratory environment
• Experience of managing or supporting multiple laboratories and their associated infrastructure, inventories, instrumentation, equipment and sustainable practises simultaneously, whilst prioritising capabilities
• Up to date and detailed knowledge of health and safety policy and procedures in a laboratory setting. Including extensive experience of writing risk assessments and standard operating procedures. Leading on safety inspections and managing H&S systems
• Ability to implement and manage change with demonstrable recent experience and skills in staff management, and the ability to motivate and develop members of a team
• Can demonstrate excellent planning, organising and technical problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach, utilising excellent prioritisation skills, and the ability to delegate tasks
• Evidence of lab systems project management and contribution to improving processes, engaging with relevant stakeholders to continually enhance the service delivered
• Experience of managing an array of scientific instrumentation and equipment for research and teaching activities
• Evidence of budget management
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Good numerical skills and the ability to manipulate, analyse and present useful information

Attributes and Behaviour

• Displays a flexible attitude to team tasks and priorities, with a willingness to help others and share workloads with clear communications
• Works collaboratively with others and is a positive role model to their team and will support their development

• Establishes strong stakeholder relationships and respects the expertise and contribution of others
• Works in a planned and structured way with good attention to detail
• Ensures that all activities are completed on time and can prioritise tasks accordingly, optimising resource use, and maintaining high standards or service
• Strives to deliver high quality results by embracing change and developing and implementing new ideas to improve technical services and systems

• A proactive and innovative approach to problem solving

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level 6 qualification in a STEM subject area; or significant technical experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles

Desirable

• Full UK Driver’s Licence

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28701