Science Laboratory & Technical Support Specialist

Location: Redbridge, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent (Term-Time Only or Term-Time + 1 Week)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP or January Start

A high-achieving secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Redbridge is seeking a methodical, proactive, and safety-conscious Science Laboratory & Technical Support Specialist to join their dynamic STEM operations team. This is an essential technical support post for an experienced lab technician, scientific graduate, or industrial laboratory professional who thrives on facilitating practical scientific inquiry, managing chemical/biological inventories, and keeping laboratory facilities running efficiently and safely.

About the Role

As a Science Technician, you will serve as the backbone of the school’s practical science curriculum. Working alongside teaching staff across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, you will prepare apparatus, formulate chemical solutions, set up experimental equipment, and ensure strict health and safety compliance for practical lessons across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 (GCSE Combined & Triple Science), and Key Stage 5 (A-Level Sciences).

• Environment: A flagship Outer London secondary school featuring modern, purpose-built science laboratories, dedicated preparation rooms, and advanced diagnostic equipment

• Culture: A collaborative, well-organized Science department where technical expertise, safety protocols, and hands-on experimental learning are deeply valued

Key Responsibilities

• Practical Lesson Preparation: Assemble, calibrate, and distribute practical equipment, specimens, and chemical reagents for daily lab sessions across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.

• Laboratory Safety & CLEAPSS Compliance: Enforce strict health and safety standards across all prep rooms and laboratories, adhering strictly to COSHH, CLEAPSS regulations, and safe chemical storage protocols.

• Stock & Inventory Management: Maintain accurate chemical registers, monitor stock levels of consumables and glassware, and coordinate timely orders with scientific suppliers.

• Equipment Maintenance & Disposal: Inspect, clean, and repair lab apparatus (e.g., microscopes, Bunsen burners, electrical circuits), ensuring hazardous waste and chemical by-products are disposed of in accordance with environmental and safety laws.

• Classroom & Teacher Support: Provide technical guidance to teaching staff during complex practical demonstrations and assist with risk assessments for new experimental procedures.

Requirements

• Scientific qualification (e.g., Degree, HND, or NVQ in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Laboratory Science) or equivalent hands-on experience as a laboratory technician.

• In-depth working knowledge of CLEAPSS guidelines, COSHH risk assessments, chemical handling, and lab safety regulations within an educational or commercial laboratory environment.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple practical setups simultaneously under tight lesson timetables.

• High attention to detail, strong numerical accuracy for chemical preparation, and basic IT skills for stock tracking.

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a supportive and reliable approach to working with teaching staff and young learners.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with technical experience and laboratory qualifications).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), structured continuous professional development (CPD) and CLEAPSS safety training courses, term-time-only working arrangements, and access to staff health and wellbeing schemes.

How to Apply

If you are an organized, technical specialist passionate about enabling high-quality practical science education at an Outstanding secondary school in Redbridge, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.