Job Description

The Role

Stonyhurst is seeking to appoint an outstanding and dedicated Biology Laboratory Technician to join a thriving and highly successful Science department. Working alongside a passionate team of teachers and technicians, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of inspiring science lessons, ensuring that all practical activities are prepared to the highest standard. You will help maintain our well-equipped laboratories and preparation rooms, working closely with teaching staff to bring the curriculum to life through hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

Role Purpose

To undertake duties in support of the work of the teaching staff in the Science department at Stonyhurst College. You would be allocated to one science discipline in the main, but you would require a flexible approach in order to support any of the Science disciplines, as and when necessary.

In this role you will provide technical support to the teachers in charge of Science classes by: assisting with the preparation of materials and apparatus for practical work; helping to maintain the science laboratories and preparation rooms in your department; maintaining their equipment and services in good order. You will also perform general duties in support of the teachers and the pupils in the Science department.

Applicants would benefit from relevant previous experience and familiarity with the handling of scientific equipment and materials. A willingness to develop an understanding of laboratory safety is essential and a science background or qualifications would be desirable. The Laboratory Technician will be responsible to the Head of Biology. The Laboratory Technician will actively promote the College's mission and identity as set out in the Stonyhurst mission statement.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

The preparation of materials and equipment for science lessons; Helping to maintain the science laboratories and preparation rooms and their equipment and services in good order (including assisting with keeping display material up to date and relevant; General duties in support of teachers and the science related curriculum; To work on a daily basis with the KS3, KS4 and KS5 teaching teams regarding technical requirements and curriculum support materials for Science related concepts.
Preparation of science materials and equipment would include, for example:

Being aware of Health & Safety requirements and promoting awareness of Health & Safety in the department; Keeping up to date with new CLEAPSS guidance; Carrying out Risk Assessments for own activities and assisting with other Risk Assessments in the department; Organising chemicals, preparation and storage under COSHH regulations; Checking the condition of equipment and repairing/replacing as appropriate; Trialling practical activities; Treating wastes - in accordance with Health & Safety and recycling requirements; Preparing experiments, setting up apparatus, equipment and other resources for demonstrations and practical lessons as requested by teaching staff; Liaising with staff over use of equipment and stock; Maximising the effectiveness of Budget expenditure; Checking and ordering stock and maintaining good stock records; Requesting prompt authorisation by Academic Director for the ordering of materials via Amazon/local supplier Keeping a petty cash account for purchase of sundry fresh items with authorisation from Academic Director Assisting with collection and cataloguing of sundry books, audio-visual aids and materials; Cleaning and returning apparatus etc. to storage as soon as practicable; Repairing damage or arranging for this to be done; Liaising with maintenance staff (electrics/plumbing); Supporting Higher line students when they miss practicals so they stay up to date; Supporting IB pupils with IA and EE practical requirements;

Elements specific to Biology would include, for example:

Caring for plants Ordering, receiving and maintaining algal, bacterial and fungal cultures Preparing a safe environment before and after microbiology practicals Preparing sterile materials for microbiology work Cleaning and servicing microscopes Assisting in field courses Checking condition of chemical and biological reagents/specimens Shop for perishable consumables, including potatoes, onions, brine shrimp, pond weed etc.) within working hours to meet needs of practicals.

Elements specific to Chemistry would include, for example:

Collecting apparatus and chemicals from storage: Preparation of chemicals and solutions; Returning chemicals to storage as soon as practicable; Co ordinating equipment servicing e.g. fume cupboards Maintaining chemical stocks and ensuring safe storage of chemicals Liaising with SMH science technician to support the chemistry provision at SMH (e.g. preparing stock solutions) Working to make the department more economically and environmentally sustainable by developing microscale experiments

Elements specific to Physics would include, for example:

Acting as the designated Radiation Protection Supervisor Returning Radiation Sources to safe as soon as practicable Coordinating the science departments' outreach work with Prep/primary schools Arranging for servicing of Steam Engine. Servicing or arranging servicing of electrical equipment such as Power Packs, Electron Diffraction Tube, EHT supplies.

Hours of Work

Term Time only plus Inset days as required, this is a salaried role based on approximately 42 hours per week but may be flexible according to the needs of the department.

Application Process

The closing date is 15th May 2025.

Interviews will take place on 22nd May 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please apply by submitting an application form via tes.

It is the Stonyhurst's (Stonyhurst College, Saint Mary's Hall) policy to employ the best qualified personnel and to provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and not to discriminate against any person because of their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or religious belief, disability or age. All new posts within Stonyhurst are subject to a probationary period.

If you are selected for an interview, please be aware that, in accordance with our Safer Recruitment practices, online searches will be conducted beforehand.

Stonyhurst is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers will be conditional, subject to an enhanced DBS check.

If your application is successful, Stonyhurst will retain the information provided in your application form (together with any attachments) on your personnel file. If your application is unsuccessful, all documentation relating to your application will normally be confidentially destroyed after 6 months. However, please indicate if you would like Stonyhurst to retain your details on file so that you can be notified of future vacancies which may be of interest to you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Gym membership Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site gym On-site parking Sick pay
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Lab Tech Biology