Science Assistant - Senior School

Role Overview: The Science Assistant supports the Senior School Science Faculty by preparing and maintaining equipment, materials, and resources for lessons, ensuring a safe and efficient learning environment. This role involves assisting teachers in practical sessions, maintaining inventory, and upholding health and safety standards in the laboratories.

About us:

St. Paul’s was founded in 1926 and was the first school in South America to receive accreditation from the UK government as a British School Oversees. Fully coeducational, with about 1,000 pupils, aged from 3 to 18, it is a school with history and tradition, but which embraces innovation, contemporary values and the latest in digital learning. We are a world-class school, and an international member of HMC and IAPS, and a member of COBIS and the LAHC. We are proud of our local, national and international reputation and we constantly strive to improve the opportunities for our pupils and staff. Our recent BSO inspection judged us as a leading British School overseas, and you can download the report from our website. Our exceptional facilities place teaching and learning at the heart of the school

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More details about the school can be found at www.stpauls.br.

Key Responsibilities

Lesson Preparation & Support

• Prepare and set up apparatus, chemicals, biological materials, and other teaching resources as required by Science Teachers.

• Assist in organising and preparing materials and standard solutions for lessons in advance, ensuring efficient workflow.

• Maintain well-organised, tidy, and properly equipped laboratories.

• Assist in practical lessons as requested by the teacher (if available).

• Ensure essential classroom materials (e.g., pencils, erasers, glue, scissors) are available and replenished.

• Intervene if unsafe or wasteful practices occur when assisting a class.

• Reinforce lab safety rules when assisting a class.

Equipment & Inventory Management

• Monitor, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment where possible, reporting any faults to the Head of Faculty.

• Regularly update and manage stock levels of chemicals, glassware, and other consumables using Lab Logger.

• Assist with end-of-year inventory checks and ordering of necessary materials.

• Oversee the safe storage and disposal of laboratory waste, including biological and chemical residues.

• Advise on the purchase of new or replacement equipment to ensure high-quality practical sessions.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Follow CLEAPSS, IGCSE, and IBO health and safety guidelines.

• Ensure correct handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and other hazardous materials.

• Keep storage areas clean, organised, and compliant with safety regulations.

Please ensure your entire application is in English.
Applications will be considered as they arrive and the school reserves the right to appoint before the closing date.

Our benefits

• Health insurance

• Dental plan

• Pension plan

• Onsite lunches

• Food card

• Transportation tickets

Safeguarding
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks (including Internet and Social Media profiles and exposure), an overseas check if appropriate and a pre-placement medical assessment. Proof of entitlement to work in Brazil is also required where necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree (completed or in progress) in Chemistry.

• Previous experience in a laboratory setting within an educational institution (school or university) is desirable. Candidates should have a solid understanding of chemical preparation protocols and demonstrate confidence and precision in handling reagents and laboratory equipment.

• Minimum intermediate level of English; fluency is preferred.