Senior Technician – Biology (Maternity Cover)

WQE; Leicester; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Sixth Form College in Leicester is seeking a Senior Technician for Biology on a fixed term, part-time basis. This role involves supporting a successful Science Curriculum Area, requiring a good educational background in Sciences and some lab experience. The salary ranges from £14,775 to £31,324, depending on experience. Benefits include pension enrolment and professional development opportunities. Applications must be submitted by 10pm on Sunday 4th January 2026.

Benefits

Annual incremental pay increases

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Cycle to Work Scheme

Professional Development

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Good educational background including GCSE in Science or above.
• Some experience of working in a laboratory, although not necessarily in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Support work in the Science Curriculum Area.
• Assist in laboratory activities as required.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Science background

Education

GCSE in Science or equivalent

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.

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.

Benefits

• 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
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Continual Professional Development
• On‑site parking

We have an active and enthusiastic staff wellbeing 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.

Please do not submit a separate CV. Only information on the application form will be used in the selection process. If you wish to apply for this post please complete our Application Form, Personal Details and Equal Opportunities Form which can be found by going to our Vacancies home page or by clicking Work for us – WQE.

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 to [e-mail].

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

Working Hours – Fixed Term, Part Time, Term Time

• Salary – £28,634 to £31,324 per annum pro‑rata. The actual starting salary for this role is £14,775
• Closing date – 10pm on Sunday 4th January 2026