Laboratory technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

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

Subjects include:

• biomedical science
• environmental science
• forensic science
• materials science
• pharmacy
• biology, chemistry or physics

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 3 A levels or equivalent

College

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

You could do a course such as:

• applied science
• environmental science
• chemistry, physics or biology
• T Level in Science

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

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

These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply for work as a lab technician if you have experience in a:

• university research lab
• clinical laboratory in a hospital
• manufacturing or industrial research facility
• school or college science department

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• 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
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• knowledge of biology
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• administration skills
• customer service skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues

What you'll do:

Laboratory technicians carry out tests on samples for scientific research, product development and medical diagnosis.

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

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work in a laboratory, at a university or at a manufacturing plant.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends on shifts

Career Path:

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 .