Innovation Lab Technician

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 just a campus. Set in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, we’re pushing boundaries, forging unexpected collaborations, and creating spaces that invite experimentation. UCL East is home to thinkers, doers, coders, builders, problem-solvers – and hopefully, you.

The Innovation Laboratory is a hub for creativity and invention, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and designed for interdisciplinary projects that make a real impact. We're based in Newham, one of the UK’s most diverse boroughs, and proud to reflect that spirit of inclusion and innovation in everything we do.

We’ve already opened two new buildings, with more to come. If you like your learning hands-on, your code clean (mostly), and your ideas a bit wild – you’ll fit right in. Bonus: check out our student-made video tour of our lab!

About the role

Not all superheroes wear lab coats. Some wear workshop boots, carry a multimeter, and keep everything running behind the scenes.

As our new Innovation Laboratory Technician, you’ll be key to keeping one of UCL’s most exciting technical spaces running smoothly. The Innovation Lab is a flexible, dry lab used for both structured teaching and drop-in experiments. You’ll help set up, support, and maintain activities ranging from electronics and coding to CNC machining and CAD.

From laser cutters to motion-capture rigs, you’ll manage equipment, assist users, and keep the space safe, stocked and ready for anything. You’ll also support our Light Fabrication Workshop – a smaller, hands-on space focused on ecology, adaptive tech and rapid prototyping.

This role is about more than maintenance – it’s about enabling invention. Whether it’s helping students learn how not to toast their breadboards, or helping staff build something brilliant with five minutes to spare, you’ll be right at the centre of the action.

About you

You know what Swarfega is for – and you’re proud of it. You’ve worked in teaching labs or busy makerspaces with high footfall and even higher curiosity levels. You know how to help people make the most of the kit around them, and you do it with patience, clarity, and a sense of humour.

You understand the rhythm of a teaching lab – the pre-class scramble, the lunchtime lull, the 4pm “it was working five minutes ago” moment. You're confident juggling priorities, setting up experiments, troubleshooting tech, and making sure safety and creativity go hand in hand.

You’re hands-on and systems-smart. You’ve got experience with things like oscilloscopes, motion trackers, circuit boards and CAD tools – and probably a few odd components in your bag right now. You don’t just solve problems – you love the process of getting there.

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