Laboratory Technician

Also known as
Lab technician, lab assistant

Become a “hero of science"

If you know your pipettes from your centrifuges, then becoming a lab technician is a must! You'll help scientists with important research, test samples, maintain kit, and collect vital data.

At a glance

What can you expect from this role?
Average salary per year
£20000
Starter
Experienced
£20000
£28000
Typical hours
37 to 40 a week
You could work weekends on shifts
Flexible working hours?
Need a lab coat?
Most definitely!

What to expect

Day-to-day tasks

As a laboratory technician, you could:

  • set up experiments and investigations
  • prepare solutions, cultures and specimens
  • analyse samples using scientific instruments
  • collect and present data and statistics
  • calibrate, clean and maintain equipment, and follow safety rules

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a laboratory technician to be a green job, you could:

  • work with scientists to develop more energy efficient products
  • test soil and water samples to check for toxins and pollutants
  • analyse data from crop experiments to limit the effects of pests and diseases

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory, at a university or at a manufacturing plant.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can register with a professional body linked to your area of work for career development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a laboratory technician from the Science Council and Health Careers.

Explore the different ways to get into this role

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

university

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a scientific subject to work as a laboratory…
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College

You could take a college course to help improve your chances of finding a trainee lab assistant position. You could…
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Apprenticeship

You could apply for a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. These…
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Direct Application

You can apply for work as a lab technician if you have experience in a: university research lab clinical laboratory…
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Discover the skills you need for this role

People in these types of job possess skills like the ones below.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • science skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Career progression

Career progression opportunities include

With experience, you could:

  • become a lab supervisor or lab manager
  • specialise in complex analysis work
  • apply to become a Registered Science Technician to develop your career

You could also take further training at degree or postgraduate level to become a research scientist.

Related Careers

Those who are typically interested in this role may also like to consider these other opportunities
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