Education Innovation Coordinator

The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) wants to change the culture in UK education so that authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s experience.

Are you passionate about transforming STEM education, breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators? Our Education Innovation Team is looking for a proactive and creative Education Innovation Coordinator with at least three years of experience in education, ideally within STEM.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• A solid understanding of the national STEM landscape and the role of the third sector in supporting schools.
• Experience in STEM curriculum development, creating innovative teaching resources, and understanding school improvement strategies.
• An awareness of using data analysis and evaluation to improve outcomes for schools and students.

If you’re adaptable, collaborative, and driven to make a meaningful impact on young people’s experience of STEM, we’d love to hear from you!

In this role, you’ll work closely with colleagues and external partners to develop resources and tools that bring authentic STEM research into classrooms across the UK. As Education Innovation Coordinator, you will:

• Create resources and tools that enable students to carry out real STEM research in schools.
• Collaborate with teachers to embed research activities into lessons and inspire greater student engagement in STEM.
• Work with the evaluation team to measure the impact of resources and identify ways to improve them.
• Support the Head of Education Innovation in advancing IRIS’ Research & Innovation Framework programme.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping STEM education and empowering young people to explore, innovate, and thrive in STEM fields.

You can find more details about what we are looking for in the right candidate in the recruitment pack, but some of the key things for us will be:

• At least three years’ experience in an educational role.
• Solid understanding of the national STEM education landscape and awareness of the STEM third sector and its role in supporting schools and students.
• Experience in STEM education curriculum development, school or subject improvement
• Track record of supporting school improvement initiatives and strategies
• Demonstrable success in supporting the development of resources and innovative strategies for STEM education.
• Understanding and experience of data analysis, evaluation methodologies and their application in school improvement processes.
• Passionate about transforming STEM education and making a lasting impact on the experience of young people in STEM fields.
• Proactive and adaptable, committed to continuous improvement and collaboration.

About IRIS

The Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS) was founded on the belief that young people have the capacity to change the world. If their education empowers them with the right tools, school-aged students can contribute to the community of scientific research right now.

Despite the evolution of IRIS over the last few years, this founding belief continues to be central to what we do. Our mission is to change the culture in UK education so that authentic research and innovation is part of every young person’s experience in school. We do this by:

• Creating opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge STEM research and collaborate with leading universities and institutions while still at school.
• Evidencing the impact of students carrying out research while still at school.
• Facilitating a research culture by influencing and demonstrating best practice of STEM research and innovation in schools.

As a charity, everything we do is driven by our moral purpose; to capture talent and break down barriers that impact underrepresented young people in STEM.

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website via the button below

All applications should be accompanied by a completed Diversity Monitoring form . Please note that if you send a CV or an application in a different format this will not be considered.

Applications should address:

• why they wish to take on this role
• what they can bring to the post.
• how they meet the criteria as stated in the job description and person specification.

If you wish to have an informal conversation about the role prior to applying, please contact Georgie Lott, Head of Education Innovation , by email ensuring that the subject of your email is ‘Education Information Coordinator Recruitment .’

The key dates to note for the recruitment process:

• 9th February 2025: Deadline for applications, which should be emailed to with the subject heading IRIS – Education Innovation Coordinator Application.
• 13th February 2025: Candidates will be notified of their invitation to shortlisting interview. If you have not received an invitation to interview by this date you should assume that you have not been shortlisted.
• 17th February 2025: Shortlisting interviews (online).
• 19th February 2025: Candidates successful at shortlisting will be notified of their invitation to face-to-face interview.
• 25th February 2025: Formal face-to-face interviews for all shortlisted candidates will take place. Candidates will also be expected to give a short presentation and complete a written exercise as part of the formal interview stage.

Please note that all candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK. The successful candidate will be employed under UK law. Appointment will be contingent on a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.