Senior Technician – Biology (Maternity Cover)

WQE and Regent College Group; Peacehaven; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK-based educational institution is seeking a Senior Technician for Biology on a fixed-term, term-time contract to cover maternity leave. The role requires a good educational background in Science, including GCSE or equivalent, along with experience in a laboratory. The position offers a salary ranging from £28,634 to £31,324 pro-rata. An exceptional benefits package includes annual pay increments and pension schemes. Applications are due by 10pm on January 4th, 2026.

Benefits

Annual incremental pay increases

Teachers’ Pension scheme

Staff well-being programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Annual flu vaccination

Continual Professional Development

Eyecare voucher scheme

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory setting is desired.
• Good educational background in Science is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Science Curriculum Area and technicians in laboratory tasks.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory resources and environments.

Skills

Laboratory experience

GCSE in Science

Education

GCSE or equivalent in Science

Job description

Senior Technician – Biology (Maternity Cover)

Thank you for your interest in this post at WQE.

We believe that this is a particularly exciting time to be joining us, offering a real opportunity to make a difference in this thriving and vibrant Sixth Form College. We strive for excellence in all aspects of our work with students – their academic and wider achievements, their learning experiences, the support they receive in their academic progress, their learning environment and their wider experience of College life. The College operates across two closely located campuses, next to the University of Leicester on University Road and a smaller campus at Regent Road.

We are looking to appoint a Science Technician to support the work of our large and extremely successful Science Curriculum Area. The successful applicant will have a good educational background including GCSE (or equivalent) in Science or above, together with some experience of working in a laboratory, although not necessarily in an educational setting.

THE CURRICULUM AREA

Staff

The Biology, Chemistry and Applied Science (BCAS) team currently comprises fourteen highly experienced and dedicated teaching staff and seven laboratory technicians.

Resources

We have an exceptionally well‑resourced curriculum area, with 11 fully equipped laboratories.

For our part we shall make every effort to support our new colleagues in making the best of the professional opportunities offered by this post.

This is a fixed‑term, term‑time only position working 22 hours per week commencing as soon as possible to cover a period of maternity leave of up to 12 months or on the return of the incumbent post holder.

The salary will be on the Sixth Form Colleges’ Support Staff pay scale 11‑14 which ranges from £28,634 to £31,324 per annum pro‑rata. The actual starting salary for this role is £14,775 but may be negotiated based on experience.

We offer an exceptional package of benefits to our staff, which for this post includes:

• Annual incremental pay increases, linked to performance, within the pay scale range
• Pension – Automatic enrolment into the Teachers’ Pension scheme with 28.68% employer contribution or to the Local Government Pension Scheme for support staff (if applicable), one of the most competitive on the market with an employer contribution of above 20% in most cases
• Staff well‑being programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Annual flu vaccination
• Continual Professional Development
• Eyecare voucher scheme
• On‑site parking

We have an active and enthusiastic staff well‑being group who meet regularly and are committed to adding value to life at work wherever possible, as well as ensuring a strong sense of community, wider opportunities and mutual support exist in our workplace.

APPLICATIONS

Please do not submit a separate CV. Only information on the application form will be used in the selection process. Application forms can be downloaded from the Vacancies section of our website at https://wqe.ac.uk/vacancies/.

Completed applications must be returned by 10pm on Sunday 4th January 2026.

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th January 2026. Full details will be emailed out to shortlisted candidates.

Please return all completed application documentation via email only.

Finally, I would like to thank you again for the time taken to consider joining our team here at WQE and in making an application if you decide this is the right step for you.

Paul Wilson
Principal