Laboratory Technician (Practical Work Lead)

Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 per annum pro-rata.

Location: York

This is a term-time role, working full-time (37 hours a week) across Monday to Friday during term time plus 10 days.

The Role

Are you passionate about STEM education and eager to make a difference? Join our dynamic team at the National STEM Learning Centre as a Laboratory Technician: practical work lead. This is your chance to play a crucial role in maintaining and developing our state-of-the-art practical areas of the Centre, including laboratories, greenhouses, lecture theatres, and teaching rooms. You will take a leading role in the technician team on providing a quality practical work experience on our both courses and student science events at the National STEM Learning Centre.

What you’ll do:

• Technical Services: Identify, procure, and install equipment and materials for our laboratories and greenhouse.
• Course Support: Assist in the day-to-day running of the practical components of primary, secondary and technician courses, including preparation, maintenance, and organisation. Work with the Professional Learning Leader for the course to ensure the smooth running of activities.
• Health & Safety: Ensure safe and secure practical activities, manage waste disposal, and provide technical and health and safety advice where needed.
• Maintenance: Regularly check laboratory services and equipment, including fume cupboards, electrical safety, first aid equipment, and more.
• Stock Management: Support in taking stock, storage, procurement, maintenance, calibration, and repair of chemicals and equipment.
• Cleaning & Care: Contribute to the cleaning of laboratories and care for plants and animals in the greenhouse and garden areas.
• Technical Trials: Conduct trials of practical activities and prepare model risk assessments.
• AV & IT Support: Assist set up of basic audio-visual and IT equipment as needed, or help with requesting the additional technical support from the IT team.

There will be the opportunity to support senior team members with aspects of technician course development and delivery following appropriate training.

Our Ideal Candidate

Candidates will demonstrate our values: Sustainable – Innovative – Proactive. We’re looking for a well-rounded individual:

• Experience as a technician in a secondary school or an FE college with excellent practical curriculum knowledge.
• Experience with Health and Safety procedures.
• Experience in equipment development.
• Contributions to innovation within an educational context or similar.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Able to remain professional and flexible with the changing needs of the organisation.
• An appreciation and understanding of STEM education and a commitment to the vision and mission of STEM Learning.

About Us

At STEM Learning, we work to improve lives through STEM education. We are a purpose-driven organisation, supporting teachers through high-impact professional development, inspiring young people to build confidence and curiosity in STEM, and connecting schools with employers to grow the UK’s future talent. Guided by our values, we focus our effort where it can make the greatest difference - helping all young people, whatever their background, to see themselves in STEM.

Our Benefits

• 30 days holidays plus bank holidays.
• Access to an attractive pension scheme.
• Our full-time hours are 37 hours per week.
• Up to 3 paid volunteering leave days per year.
• A comprehensive employee assistance programme.
• Access to a voluntary staff benefits scheme including cycle to work loan scheme; health cash back plans; free eye tests; discounted vouchers and much more.

Next Steps

Closing date for applications: 09:00 on Monday 2 February 2026; applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis so early applications are recommended.

To Apply

Please provide us with:

• Your up-to-date CV including the contact details of two referees (please note, references will not be approached without your permission and will not be taken up until the offer stage).
• A covering letter (no more than the equivalent of 2 sides of A4) explaining your interest in the role and why you think you would be the ideal candidate.

STEM Learning strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to employing teams with diverse abilities, skills, and experiences. We foster a culture where every employee’s voice is respected and valued.