Physics Laboratory Technician

Full-time (part-time may be possible), permanent, mostly term time only

We are seeking to appoint an approachable, efficient and pro-active Physics Laboratory Technician to join a friendly team of teachers and technicians in the Senior School Science Department from September 2025. 

You will be responsible for the preparation of resources for practical lessons to support the delivery of the Physics curriculum, up to and including A-level, in four laboratories. You will also be responsible for stock control and maintenance within the preparation areas. 

Awareness of Health and Safety regulations relevant to a laboratory environment is essential. Training may be available for the right candidate.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To assist the study of Physics within the School for all pupils from Years 7-13. This can include setting up experiments or occasionally, directly assisting teaching staff or pupils with the running of a demonstration or class practical.
• To prepare staff requirements and to put them in place in good time for lessons (members of staff produce a list of their requirements in advance)
• To remove items from laboratories as soon as possible after lessons and to clear and wipe down the teachers’ and pupils’ benches
• To clean, maintain and replace apparatus
• To assist with budgeting by liaising with the Head of Department concerning the annual budget bid, monitoring budget expenditure, ordering apparatus, books and stationery with due regard to the departmental budget
• To give each of the four laboratories a good clean each week, specifically the sinks and polishing the bench tops (excluding floors and waste bins)
• Top up laboratory consumables such as paper towels, splints, matches etc.
• To oversee stocks of textbooks and stationery and to control and order as appropriate
• To assist with assessment data entry and the administration of assessment material
• To oversee and maintain stocks of past questions, assessed practicals etc, and to replenish as necessary
• To carry out departmental photocopying and assist with display material
• To be aware of, support and help to implement the various safety regulations, including COSHH (training can be given).

HOURS OF WORK, SALARY AND BENEFITS

• The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week during Ipswich School term time (35 weeks per annum).  There may be some occasional hours required during the school holidays, to be agreed with the postholder and dependent on the requirements of the department, and some slightly longer days when demand is high. 
• Please note you are always expected to work your normal hours on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time. 
• The hours to be worked are as follows:

8.00 am – 4:30 pm, with an unpaid 15 minute morning break and a 45 minute lunch break each day. This is a total of 7.5 hours per day, for 5 days each week. There may be some flexibility with start and finish times and part-time hours may be considered.

• The salary for this post is £19,865.25 (for the actual working hours as outlined above). The annual salary quoted includes statutory holiday pay.  Annual leave may only be taken outside of Ipswich School term times. 

CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview.  If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

We would encourage you to download the full job description and application form from our website https://www.ipswich.school/contact-us/vacancies/physics-laboratory-technician/

Completed application forms should be returned by noon on 29th May 2025 to: Jem Cranfield, Director of Human Resources, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG. Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential or email: hr@ipswich.school. 

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 2nd June 2025 when we may also ask candidates to undergo a competency assessment.

PLEASE NOTE

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.