Innovation Lab Technician

UCL; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days holiday

CARE pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym

Enhanced parental leave pay

Job summary

UCL is seeking an Innovation Lab Technician to support the operations of its cutting-edge lab. The role involves managing technical equipment, assisting students, and fostering a creative environment for experimentation and learning. Candidates should have hands-on experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for innovation in a collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy labs or maker spaces.
• Ability to guide and support students.
• Familiarity with lab equipment and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operation of the Innovation Lab.
• Provide tools and support for students and staff.
• Assist with prototypes and troubleshooting.

Skills

Hands-on skills

Troubleshooting

Communication

Safety-consciousness

Tools

CAD software

Oscilloscopes

Motion trackers

Circuit boards

Job description

Join to apply for the Innovation Lab Technician role at UCL.

This range is provided by UCL. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

About us

Are you someone who speaks fluent Raspberry Pi? Do you talk to robots more than humans some days? Ever bodged a circuit with whatever was on hand, and been weirdly proud of it? Then welcome - this could be your place.

At UCL East, we're building more than a campus. We're building a future. Situated in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this is UCL's boldest move since we were founded. We're disrupting boundaries, forging unexpected collaborations, and building spaces that invite experimentation. UCL East is home to thinkers, doers, coders, builders, problem-solvers - and ideally, you.

Our Innovation Laboratory sits at the centre of this storm of creativity. With cutting-edge facilities and a mission to break out of silos, we're creating the environment where real change begins. And we're proud to be based in Newham - one of the UK's most diverse boroughs - where that change can be driven by anyone, from anywhere.

We've already opened two state-of-the-art buildings, and this is just the beginning. If you like hands-on learning, a mostly clean code, and ideas a little wild, you'll fit right in. Check out the video tour of the lab made by one of our students!

About the role

Not all superheroes wear lab coats.

Some wear workshop boots, carry a multimeter, and keep everything running behind the scenes.

We're hiring a tech all-rounder at UCL East's Innovation Lab.

As our Innovation Laboratory Technician, you'll help run one of the most exciting technical spaces at UCL, where breadboards meet 3D printers, laser cutters hum, and motion-capture rigs track data.

The Innovation Lab is a flexible, dry lab used for teaching and experimentation. You'll ensure it runs smoothly, providing students and staff with tools and support to bring ideas to life—from electronics and coding to CNC machining and CAD—safely, efficiently, and creatively.

You will also work in our Light Fabrication Workshop, focused on ecology, adaptive tech, and rapid prototyping. Troubleshooting, teaching, and assisting with prototypes will be part of your role, fostering an environment of creative sparks.

This role is about more than maintenance; it's about nurturing a space where innovation thrives.

About you

You know what Swarfega is for. You've debugged code talking to salvaged sensors, bodged prototypes with tape, and built systems from scratch.

You're also good with people, having worked in busy labs or maker spaces where questions are constant. You can guide, support, and explain with patience and clarity.

You understand the rhythm of a teaching lab: the pre-class chaos, the calm, and the moments when things go sideways. You're confident managing priorities, setting up equipment, and ensuring safety while fostering creativity.

Hands-on and proactive, you’re familiar with oscilloscopes, motion trackers, CAD software, and circuit boards. You likely have a mental or physical inventory of tools and know which to use in a pinch.

Safety-conscious, organized, and unphased by last-minute requests, you enjoy helping turn ambitious ideas into reality—bright, working prototypes.

What we offer

The UCL Ways of Working support success and happiness through shared expectations. Benefits include:

• 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for eligible posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced parental leave pay
• Employee support services
• Discounted medical insurance

More info at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we value diversity as a driver of creativity. We are committed to fair, inclusive opportunities and encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates, disabled people, LGBTQI+ individuals, and women in senior roles.

Learn more at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/.

We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing

Industries

• Higher Education