Biology Technician
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
St Paul’s Girls’ School is an extraordinary institution. While we consistently achieve some of the best GCSE and A-level results in the country, we believe education is about far more than exams. With fewer rules and no uniform, we actively nurture creativity, curiosity and a love of discovery. Our rich co-curricular programme builds confidence, encourages independence and strengthens our connection with the wider community. It’s a distinctive environment – ambitious, thoughtful and forward looking – but most importantly, it is a place where people matter.
We are seeking a motivated and organised Science Technician with a Biology specialism to join our well-resourced Science Department from September 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity to support the delivery of a varied and engaging Science curriculum in a leading independent school environment. Working closely with the Laboratory Manager and teaching staff, you will play a key role in preparing practical experiments, maintaining equipment and ensuring laboratories are safe, efficient and well organised.
In return, you can expect a comprehensive package of rewards, including a pension scheme, private medical insurance after five years’ service, life assurance, season ticket loan, free access to our extensive leisure facilities, free lunches, free eye tests, an advice and counselling service and a generous reduction on fees for your family.
For further information about the role and details on how to apply, please visit the SPGS Jobs Board.
We recommend that candidates apply as soon as possible since applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be arranged on a rolling basis.
St Paul’s Girls’ School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and other appropriate pre-employment checks.
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Lead with your Biology specialism at the top of your CV — the advert explicitly seeks a technician with a Biology specialism, so name your degree, HNC, or relevant qualification prominently in your Personal Statement.
🔬 List specific practical techniques you can prepare (e.g. dissections, microscopy, gel electrophoresis, titrations) as the advert emphasises preparing varied practical experiments for GCSE and A-level delivery.
🏫 Highlight any prior experience in a school, college, or educational laboratory setting — the advert is for a leading independent school and familiarity with an academic lab environment will differentiate you.
🛡️ Explicitly reference your commitment to safeguarding and note if you already hold an enhanced DBS certificate, as the advert makes this a mandatory pre-employment requirement.
📋 Quantify your lab management experience where possible — for example, 'Maintained and calibrated 40+ pieces of equipment across 6 laboratory rooms' — to demonstrate the organised, well-resourced environment the advert describes.
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Prepared and risk-assessed 120+ Biology practicals per academic year across GCSE and A-level cohorts of up to 200 students, achieving zero reportable laboratory incidents over 2 years.
- •Maintained and calibrated a suite of 35 microscopes and ancillary equipment, reducing equipment downtime by 25% through a proactive termly servicing schedule.
- •Managed biological consumables stock worth approximately £8,000 annually, implementing a digital inventory system that cut last-minute shortages by 40% across a 6-lab department.
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Letter preview — tailored to The Guardian
Dear Hiring Manager,
St Paul's Girls' School's reputation for combining outstanding GCSE and A-level results with genuine intellectual curiosity is precisely the environment in which I want to develop my career as a Biology Technician. Your Science Department's commitment to varied, hands-on practical work — and the emphasis on laboratory safety and organisation — aligns directly with the skills I bring in practical experiment preparation and equipment maintenance.
My background in biology laboratory support has equipped me with experience preparing a wide range of practicals, from microscopy and dissection to titrations and gel electrophoresis, while maintaining rigorous health and safety standards. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and have completed safeguarding training, ensuring I can meet your pre-employment requirements from day one. I am comfortable working closely with teaching staff and a Laboratory Manager to anticipate resourcing needs and keep multiple lab rooms running efficiently.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you prepare a risk assessment for an A-level dissection practical involving mammalian organs?
- ›What procedures do you follow when disposing of biological or chemical waste in a school laboratory?
- ›How do you ensure reagents and consumables are adequately stocked and rotated before a busy practical week?
- ›Describe your experience maintaining and calibrating common Biology laboratory equipment such as microscopes or centrifuges.
- ›How would you support a teacher who needs a complex A-level genetics practical set up for 30 students at short notice?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you identified a safety hazard in a laboratory and how you resolved it.
- ›Describe a situation where you had to manage multiple practical preparation requests simultaneously — how did you prioritise?
- ›Give an example of when you worked closely with a teacher or manager to improve a practical lesson or laboratory process.
- ›Tell me about a time you had to adapt quickly when equipment failed or materials were unavailable just before a lesson.
- ›Describe how you have contributed to maintaining a safe and organised working environment in a previous role.
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you identified a safety hazard in a laboratory and how you resolved it.
Describe a situation where you had to manage multiple practical preparation requests simultaneously — how did you prioritise?