Not Just
Lab Coats
Dive into the exciting world of science, manufacturing, and technology. From hands-on lab roles to vital support positions in HR or marketing, diverse roles are making a real difference to our world.
Learn moreunlocking endless career possibilities
Not Just Lab Coats exists to provide you with one place to explore the career options in science, manufacturing and technology. You can explore job profiles, get advice and guidance along every step of your journey and discover real examples of what a career in our sectors looks like.
We not only cover all the roles you might expect, like Laboratory Scientist or Chemical Engineer, but also the heroes working behind the scenes like Admin Assistants and Marketing Managers.
Not sure where to start? Take our completely unscientific quiz, or search our career hub to explore a range of job roles
Not sure where to start? Take our completely unscientific quiz, or search our career hub to explore a range of job roles
5 female engineers you should know, but don’t
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In honour of International Women in Engineering Day, here are five female engineers you should know, but probably don’t. Ada Lovelace Before laptops, apps, or even electricity, Ada Lovelace was already dreaming up the future. In the 1800s, she worked with inventor Charles Babbage on a machine called the Analytical…
Are GCSEs Really That Important for Apprenticeships?
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If you’re thinking about your future and considering an apprenticeship instead of (or alongside) further education, you might be wondering: Do GCSEs really matter? The short answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you think. What Are GCSEs For? GCSEs are your first big academic qualifications. They show…
Our Top 3 Places to Find Apprenticeship Opportunities
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Starting your apprenticeship search can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to look, what level to go for, or even what kinds of opportunities are out there. It’s totally normal to feel a bit lost at first. That’s why we’ve put together our top three places…
Chemical
Makes materials for everyday products like plastics and detergents
Coatings
The reason your coke can has a protective layer and its famous branding
Life Science
Creates medicines and technologies, saving lives and improving health
Nuclear
Uses atomic energy for power and diverse applications, like medicine
Hydrogen
Produces clean energy solutions that power transport, industry and heating without emissions
Medicines
Medicines manufacturing is responsible for a £16.4 billion contribution to the UK economy
Paper
Provides essential products, supports commerce, and promotes sustainability
Carbon Capture
Stops carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere, reducing climate change through tech
Hydrogen
Produces clean energy solutions that power transport, industry and heating without emissions
Medicines
Medicines manufacturing is responsible for a £16.4 billion contribution to the UK economy.
Carbon Capture
Stops carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere, reducing climate change through tech
Take your next step
Ready to dive into the awe-inspiring realm of science? Explore all the current roles awaiting your discovery!
View all vacancies
Trainee Cranes Engineer Surveyor
Anderson Wright Consulting Ltd
Full Time
Bristol
Salary:
£36,000 per annum
Trainee Crane Engineer Surveyor – Trainee Engineer Surveyor – Cranes and Lifting Equipment – Bristol-…
Closing date:
28th November 2024
Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Placement - ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips
North Yorkshire
Salary:
TBC
Cogent Skills is working with ConocoPhillips to recruit an Undergraduate Placement Chemical Process Engineer to…
Closing date:
16th March 2025
Junior Recruitment Consultant - Graduate Scheme
WALKER COLE INTERNATIONAL LTD
Full Time
City of London
Salary:
£27,000 per annum
About the job Walker Cole International is a pharmaceutical and life sciences executive search company…
Closing date:
2nd May 2025
Business Administrator
Rise Technical Recruitment Limited
Full Time
Bracknell
Salary:
£24,500 per annum
Business Administrator£24,500 + Training + Progression + Monday - FridayLocation - Bracknell Do you have…
Closing date:
26th February 2026
Trainee Recruitment Consultant - Graduate Scheme - Executive Search Consultancy
WALKER COLE INTERNATIONAL LTD
Full Time
City of London
Salary:
£40,000 per annum
About the job Walker Cole International is a pharmaceutical and life sciences executive search company…
Closing date:
15th July 2025
Business Administrator
Rise Technical Recruitment Limited
Full Time
Bracknell
Salary:
£24,500 per annum
Business Administrator£24,500 + Training + Progression + Monday - FridayLocation - Bracknell Do you have…
Closing date:
26th February 2026
Production Operative
Flat Fee Recruiter
Full Time
Sherburn In Elmet
Salary:
£27,709.50 per annum
Our client is a specialist manufacturer of high quality pigment dispersions used in the printing…
Closing date:
17th April 2025
Graduate Market Analyst - Pharma
Network Scientific Ltd.
Full Time
High Wycombe
Salary:
£28,000 per annum
Are you a recent life science or economics graduate from a top 20 university? Have…
Closing date:
21st October 2025
Logistics Apprentice (Level 4) - Saica Paper UK
SAICA Paper
Apprenticeship
Greater Manchester
Salary:
£22,000 per annum
Paper Mill Based in Carrington, Manchester producting 100% recycled papers for corrugated cardboard. Our state-of-the-art…
Closing date:
13th March 2026
Analytical Chemist
Reed
Full Time
Lincolnshire
Salary:
TBC
Analytical Chemist Annual Salary: Competitive – Experience depending Location: South Lincolnshire Job Type: Permanent We…
Closing date:
28th March 2025
Finance Undergraduate Placement - ConocoPhilips
ConocoPhillips
County Durham
Salary:
TBC
Cogent Skills is working with ConocoPhillips to recruit a Finance Placement student to work at…
Closing date:
16th March 2025
Development Chemist
Reed
Full Time
Halifax
Salary:
TBC
Job title: Development Chemist Industry: Chemicals and Coatings Location: West Yorkshire Salary: £26k - £30k p/annum Benefits: Standard pension, 22…
Closing date:
9th November 2024
Quality / Production Technician
Rise Technical Recruitment Limited
Full Time
Stoke-on-Trent
Salary:
£30,000 per annum
Quality / Production Technician £30,000 - £35,000 + Training + Progression + Days-based Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire…
Closing date:
16th October 2024
Seed Operator
Ethero
Full Time
Stoke-on-Trent
Salary:
£36,952.50 per annum
Seed Operators Required - Immediate start Grateley, Andover SP11 Role and key responsibilities for Seed…
Closing date:
8th November 2024
Graduate Electrical Design Engineer Building Services
Ernest Gordon Recruitment Limited
Full Time
Newark
Salary:
£35,000 per annum
Graduate Electrical Design Engineer (Building Services)£30,000 - £35,000 + Training + Progression + Hybrid Working…
Closing date:
3rd December 2024
Research scientist graduate placement - UCB
UCB
Full Time
Berkshire
Salary:
£28,000 per annum
UCB are currently looking for highly motivated scientists to join the Early Development Sciences department…
Closing date:
18th September 2025
Your Green Career Starter Kit: How to Build a Future That Works and Makes a Difference
Est. Reading Time: 3 mins
Thinking about your future can feel like a big deal, especially when you care about the planet too. The good news is, there are so many ways to build a green career that’s both rewarding and good for the environment. The world is changing fast. Every sector is looking for people who understand how to […]
Read moreHow Does It Measure Up? Exploring Work Life in Small/Medium vs. Large Companies
Est. Reading Time: 3 mins
Are you considering a career in the science sector? Are unsure whether to pursue opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or larger corporations? Both options offer unique experiences and opportunities for professional growth. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision about your career path. Let's delve into the distinct advantages and […]
Read more
See more tips and advice for career success
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Discover a career in the
Chemical Sector
Whether it’s cosmetics, drugs, or even ingredients in food - there’s always something ground-breaking happening in the chemical sector.
Be at the cutting edge of innovation in manufacturing, product development, or even finding sustainable solutions to environmental issues.
What is it like to work in the Chemical Sector?
The chemical sector adds a whopping £18 billion to the UK economy every year. In fact, around 4,100 chemical businesses nationwide create materials for manufacturing goods. Put simply, the chemical sector is booming!
Discover a career in the
Coatings Sector
This might be an area you didn’t know existed, but we promise you’ll know about it. Coatings are the finishes on LOADS of goods and materials that provide decoration or protection - from colourful furniture to non-stick pans!
The UK coatings industry directly contributes £4 billion a year to the UK economy, so it's big business and cutting-edge stuff!
What is it like to work in the Coatings Sector?
Given the scale of the industry, there are plenty of jobs around. The UK is also a huge exporter of coatings, so there’s international job opportunities too.
Discover a career in the
Life Science Sector
If you don’t already know, life science studies living organisms and how they exist and interact in different kinds of settings.
Put simply, if you work in this area, you could help to improve global healthcare, the environment, or just general daily life. Pretty big stuff, right?!
What is it like to work in the Life Science Sector?
Life scientists are in huge demand across specialisms, from medicine and agriculture to environmental conservation. That means well-paid career opportunities are just waiting to be snapped up!
Discover a career in the
Nuclear Sector
Nuclear is a very low-carbon technology. This means it is an important source of clean and safe energy in the fight against global warming.
This trailblazing science is positively changing the world and providing a much-needed power source for future generations - without generating nasty greenhouse gases in the process.
What is it like to work in the Nuclear Sector?
With a growing demand for more affordable power made at home in the UK, the nuclear sector is set to create many more highly paid, varied, and exciting jobs.
Discover a career in the
Hydrogen Sector
The science industries are wide-ranging, but they share a common goal: creating positive change for the planet and shaping a better future.
By working at the cutting edge of innovation, you could help drive progress across our global community — from advancing renewable energy technologies to supporting cleaner transport and low-carbon solutions.
What is it like to work in the Hydrogen Sector?
With net-zero targets to meet, businesses need skilled workers to drive industrial decarbonisation and the shift to a low-carbon economy.
Discover a career in the
Medicine manufacturing Sector
Whether it’s cosmetics, drugs, or even ingredients in food - there’s always something ground-breaking happening in the chemical sector.
Be at the cutting edge of innovation in manufacturing, product development, or even finding sustainable solutions to environmental issues.
What is it like to work in the Medicine Manufacturing Sector?
The chemical sector adds a whopping £18 billion to the UK economy every year. In fact, around 4,100 chemical businesses nationwide create materials for manufacturing goods. Put simply, the chemical sector is booming!
Discover a career in the
Paper Sector
You might not think much about paper beyond what’s on your desk, but trust us – it’s everywhere. From the box your online order arrives in, to the loo roll in your bathroom, paper is one of the unsung heroes of everyday life.
The UK’s paper-based industries generate £13 billion a year and employ over 115,000 people. It’s an innovative, eco-conscious sector that’s leading the way in recycling and sustainable packaging – so it’s big business with a green heart.
What is it like to work in the Paper Sector?
Working in the paper industry is about more than just paper—it’s about innovation, sustainability, and making an impact on the world.
Discover a career in the
Carbon Capture Sector
If you don’t already know, carbon capture focuses on stopping carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and finding smart ways to reduce climate change.
Put simply, if you work in this area, you could help protect the planet, create cleaner energy, and tackle global warming. Pretty big stuff, right?!
What is it like to work in the Carbon Capture Sector?
Experts are in huge demand across engineering, technology, and environmental science. That means exciting, well-paid career opportunities are just waiting to be snapped up!