AddressAre you passionate about pushing the boundaries of Digital and Immersive Media, and excited about applying your technical skills to drive innovation and collaboration? STEAMhouse is seeking a seasoned professional to fill the role of Senior Knowledge Exchange Technician, Digital and Immersive Media.
STEAMhouse is at the forefront of innovation and is inviting an experienced individual to join our dynamic team in the crucial role of Senior Knowledge Exchange Technician for Digital and Immersive Media. We play a vital role in fostering collaboration and facilitating innovative ideas, contributing to the growth and success of businesses within our vibrant community.
We are seeking an individual with proven expertise in Digital and Immersive Media, a passion for technical support, Knowledge Exchange, and a knack for project planning. If you have a strong background in industry trends and best practices, coupled with excellent communication and collaboration skills, this is the opportunity for you!
As the Senior Knowledge Exchange Technician, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) workshops and Labs. Your expertise will extend to managing usage, providing guidance in a wide range of digital techniques, and collaborating with STEAMhouse users from creative digital disciplines and diverse sectors to prototype innovative ideas.
Our cutting-edge Digital and Immersive technology facility will contribute to a vibrant innovation ecosystem through the provision of technical expertise, labs, workshops, and equipment, allowing digital creatives and businesses to collaborate and prototype using a range of Digital and Immersive equipment and processes.
As a Senior Knowledge Exchange Technician you will be the driving force behind the implementation and prototyping of creative ideas, providing STEAMhouse users with specialised expertise and high-quality technical support. Your primary focus will be to provide technical expertise, facilitate collaborative opportunities, and showcase industry best practices.
By connecting the arts and design thinking into STEM subject areas (science, technology, engineering and maths), STEAMhouse provides unique business support to cross sector SMEs and start-ups, with an emphasis on SMEs based within the Birmingham and Solihull region. Assisted by academics and other experts, users of the facility will ideate, develop and prototype; work in interdisciplinary collaborative teams to respond to challenges; and develop new and innovative products and services, catalysed by creative interventions.
STEAMhouse has created new Digital and Immersive technology facility, providing technical staff, labs, workshops and equipment which will allow digital creatives and other businesses to work alongside, and with, users from other sectors to prototype and test using a range of Digital and Immersive equipment and processes.
Note: The post is funded by the United Kingdom Share Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is advertised as a fixed term role until 31 March 2025.
The post holder will:
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) workshops and Labs; manage usage, provide expertise in a wide range of digital techniques and work with STEAMhouse users from creative digital disciplines, and other sectors, to prototype ideas and develop innovative new products, processes, design objects and artworks. DIH workshop equipment will include a VR, AR, and other mixed reality platforms and hardware tools for prototyping in virtual environments and the creation of prototypes that incorporate virtual hardware, video production and sound production equipment, alongside virtual production capabilities.
- Undertake training and deliver SME support in research and innovation, this will include short course development and delivery.
- Be an agile practical problem solver, able to provide high-level technical advice and purpose innovative solutions to complex creative and design challenges. The postholder will work with users and staff, facilitating production, working with ideas, sketches and preliminary drawings, advising on processes, materials, modifications, alternatives and further developments of ideas or designs to increase ease and quality of production, signposting to specialist production facilities beyond STEAMhouse if necessary.
- Support, and contribute to, research collaborations by facilitating prototyping, iteration and project development.
- Offer advice and direction to STEAMhouse users and fellow staff members in the form of technical advice and practical demonstrations. You will work with the STEAMhouse team to design group workshops, short courses, and events and will deliver training sessions with individuals and groups; ranging from basic instruction and induction, through to in-depth training on specific machines, software packages, materials or techniques.
- Be proficient and competent in running a mixed reality workshop and tools in VR – Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, Audio Booth and associated software, such as: Oculus Developer Pack, Unreal Engine, Unity, Logic. Circuitry – e.g. Arduino, raspberry pi, plug-in technology that enables people to learn how to program, sense and control digital objects. Software – e.g. Fusion 360, Maya, Autodesk Product Design Suite, Adobe Suite, Rhino, DaVinci Resolve.
Able to demonstrate:
- Degree in a relevant subject (or able to demonstrate a combination of qualifications, skills and experience at an equivalent level).
- Experience of, or a qualification relating to teaching or training is desirable.
- Substantial understanding of practice and significant practical experience in a relevant occupation, function, trade or craft. This experience may be from an educational or industry environment.
- Specialised knowledge of equipment, technology, processes and techniques
- Experience of delivering specialist technical support in an education or business support environment.
- Ability to work as part of a team to deliver a full service to users.
- Ability to engage the interest of students and members to support their learning.
- Ability to quickly assimilate what is required and support or signpost from professional networks to achieve a positive outcome.
- Ability to provide clear and accurate information, advice, and guidance in response to a broad range of enquiries and queries from colleagues, visitors, and users.
- IT skills including knowledge of specialist systems and software relevant to specialist technical areas and familiarity with Microsoft Office/Platforms.
- Understanding of relevant health and safety requirements
- An organised approach to work with the ability work on own initiative
- Ability to make best use of technical resources, develop technical support services to meet emerging needs and organise technical resources to meet demands effectively.
- Good written and verbal communication skills
If you can demonstrate a proven track record in education, research, and enterprise – there has never been a better time to join us. Come and be part of the next exciting stage of our journey.
We offer a generous pension and annual leave provision (40 days including statutory holidays), family-friendly policies and state-of-the-art campus facilities. We also operate a hybrid working model that allows staff to combine on-site and remote working where appropriate, dependent on work duties.
ABOUT STEAMhouse
STEAMhouse is an innovation campus to support start up, experimentation, and growth, enabling its participants to grow their innovation capacity.
STEAMhouse is located on the main city centre BCU campus to support teaching, research, innovation, and enterprise. The £80m building is housed within Birmingham’s derelict Belmont Works, originally built in 1899, restored to its former glory as part of a major overhaul. £14million of funding has been provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with £1million Local Growth Funding from GBSLEP. It is anticipated STEAMhouse will help create up to 10,000 jobs across the West Midlands region and help support the growth of the Midlands Engine. Once fully complete STEAMhouse will boast a range of state-of-the-art equipment for businesses, artists and academics to take advantage of and help cement Birmingham’s reputation as one of the country’s leading start-up hotspots.
For more information regarding STEAMhouse, please click on the following link: STEAMhouse - Welcome to our innovation centre in Birmingham!
