Lab Technician (Science Dept.)

About Nord Anglia Education

Nord Anglia Education is the world’s leading premium schools organisation, with more than 81 schools located across 32 countries in the Americas, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East. Together, our schools educate over 74,000 students from kindergarten through to the end of secondary school.

Our philosophy for education rests on our four pillars of creativity, well-being, excellent academic outcomes, and global connectedness. These are delivered through the innovative use of educational technology to create a personalised 21st-century learning experience for all students.

Every parent wants the best for their child — so do we. Nord Anglia schools deliver high-quality, transformational education and ensure excellent academic outcomes by going beyond traditional learning. Our global scale enables us to recruit and retain world-leading teachers and to offer unforgettable experiences through global and regional events, while our engaging learning environments ensure all of our students love coming to school.

https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/careers/working-for-us

The College 

Oxford International College Brighton is an international day and boarding school opening in Ovingdean, Brighton in August 2023. For the right candidate, this is an exciting and highly rewarding opportunity to work in world-class teaching facilities with an exciting team of well-qualified science professionals. We anticipate that the sciences will be popular and important subjects for many of our students. The Science Department will be housed in brand new, well-resourced teaching spaces and laboratories.  

The Role 

The Lab Technician will undertake duties in support of the work of the teaching staff in the Science Department and deliver efficient technical support to the Science Department, overseeing all preparation, maintenance, storage, set up and clearing away of all materials and equipment used in science lessons. The successful candidate will work cooperatively and professionally with other technicians, staff and students under the line management of the Head of Science. 

General Responsibilities  

• Prepare materials and equipment for Science lessons.  
• Maintain Science laboratories and preparation rooms and their equipment, and services in good order and in line with health and safety expectations.  
• Play an active role in developing innovative and inspiring practical Science lessons and show a willingness to expand/participate in activities for open days or events with other schools and universities.  
• General administrative and practical duties in support of the teachers in the Science Department.  
• Be pro-active with all health and safety issues by keeping up to date with CLEAPSS guidelines specific to your role.  
• Follow scheduled health and safety audit expectations.  

Specific Responsibilities – Teaching and Learning  

• Continually improve the effectiveness of student practical work by evaluations based on observing lessons, seeking feedback from Science teachers and coming to conclusions.   
• Understand how to enhance students’ learning through high quality practical work by observing practical lessons and performing some teaching assistant / demonstrator tasks.  
• Update and enhance portfolios of practical work by editing and tweaking practical worksheets, instruction sheets and safety sheets, based on evaluation of practical work carried out by students. 
• Attend regular Science Department meetings as required by the Head of Science.  

Resources 

• Carry out risk assessments for technical activities.  
• Dispose of waste materials safely and in line with agreed procedure.  
• Collect apparatus and chemicals from storage.  
• Prepare necessary solutions.  
• Check individual components in and out for class use. 
• Arrange for apparatus including worksheets, books and audio-visual aids to be available and ready for lessons.  
• Prepare experiments, set up apparatus and equipment for demonstrations and practical lessons as requested by teaching staff.  
• Prepare chemicals and solutions.  
• Liaise with staff over use of equipment and stock. 
•  Advise staff of any problems, including safety aspects. 
• Assist with collection and cataloguing of sundry worksheets, books, other teaching aids and materials. 
• Return apparatus, etc. and chemicals to storage as soon as practicable. 
• Repair damages or arrange for this to be done as appropriate.  
• Construct apparatus and equipment.  
• Purchase of sundries from local supermarkets/suppliers. 

Routine Maintenance of science laboratories, preparation rooms and all equipment   

• Maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of the laboratory in conjunction with the teacher in charge of the room.  
• Clean the sinks, chemicals on bench tops, spillages of chemicals on floor.  
• Store materials tidily. 
• Keep equipment clean. 
• Look after animals, insects and plants kept by the department. 
• Clean goggles, safety screens, fume cupboards and other items.  
• Carry out safety checks on equipment, e.g. Bunsen tubing etc. 

Stock Maintenance  

• Take stock of chemicals, consumables, stationery, books and breakable items. 
• Advise Head of Science on stock replacement.   
• Order resources as needed.  
• Check deliveries.   

Requirements 

• Excellent written and verbal communication.  
• Excellent organisational skills and time management.  
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload, able to work to deadlines.  
• Effective interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to relate to young people, parents, colleagues.  
• Flexible and professional attitude to work.  
• Bachelor's degree (preferably with a Scientific background) and/ or extensive experience working in a lab.  

Role: Full-time, Permanent 

Salary: competitive 

Other benefits: 

• free meals during term-time 
• access to ‘We Care’ medical and counselling services 
• participation in the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme 
• fee discounts for children of staff attending OIC Brighton 

Start date:   7 August 2023