Scientific laboratory technician

Your role as a scientific laboratory technician is to provide technical support that enables the laboratory to function effectively. You'll carry out a range of practical and analytical work, including laboratory testing, working alongside scientists and other laboratory professionals.

You'll be involved in a variety of laboratory-based biological, chemical, physical and other scientific investigations. Adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines is essential.

Working as part of a scientific team, your lab tasks may include:

• preparing samples, solutions and equipment
• sampling
• testing
• measuring
• recording
• analysing results
• calibrating, cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment.

Your work will contribute to scientific research and product development and, in some settings, support medical diagnosis.

The role of a teaching laboratory technician is similar, although this work takes place in educational institutions, where it's their job to support science teachers, lecturers and students.

What does a scientific laboratory technician do?

The tasks you carry out will depend on the type of laboratory you work in and the sector you work for. You'll typically need to:

• prepare specimens and samples for analysis
• perform laboratory tests and other technical procedures to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific investigations
• carry out routine tasks accurately in line with specified methods, standard operating procedures and quality standards
• operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including cleaning and carrying out calibration where required
• ensure the safe handling and disposal of laboratory waste
• record results and, where appropriate, analyse and interpret them, identifying any that may require further investigation and seeking advice from senior colleagues where appropriate
• use laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and other digital systems to record, manage and present data
• communicate scientific information and results to colleagues and other relevant people
• ensure the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced and that everything is clearly and correctly labelled
• keep up to date with technical developments and look for ways to improve laboratory processes and ways of working
• identify problems with laboratory processes or equipment and help investigate and resolve them
• follow quality, health and safety, environmental and risk-management procedures and carry out appropriate safety checks.

Science laboratory technician salaries

• Starting salaries for laboratory technicians are typically around £24,000 to £27,000, although some entry-level roles and apprenticeships may pay less. Pay varies considerably between employers.
• With experience, salaries can rise to between £28,000 and £35,000.
• Senior, specialist or supervisory technicians can earn £35,000 to £40,000 or more, depending on the employer and level of responsibility.

Salaries vary according to the sector, employer, location, level of responsibility and specialist skills required. Additional payments may be available for shift or out-of-hours work, depending on the employer.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

What hours does a scientific laboratory technician work?

You'll typically work 37 to 40 hours per week. Part-time work may be available. Some additional hours may be required depending on experiments or tests that are running. In some sectors, including healthcare and industry, you may work shifts, weekends or be required to provide on-call cover.

As much of the work is laboratory based, opportunities for hybrid or remote working are limited, although some flexibility may be available depending on the duties and employer.

How do you become a scientific laboratory technician?

Although you don't usually need a degree to become a scientific laboratory technician, some employers, particularly those recruiting for specialist or research-based roles, may ask for a relevant degree, HND/HNC qualification or equivalent experience.

Relevant subjects include:

• biology
• biomedical science
• biotechnology
• chemistry
• environmental science
• forensic science
• materials science/technology
• pharmacology
• physics.

Some posts ask for GCSEs, science-related A-levels (or equivalent) or a T Level in Science, particularly the Laboratory Sciences specialism.

Relevant vocational qualifications may also provide a route into the profession, including NVQs and SVQs in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities.

You can also find work as a laboratory technician through an apprenticeship. These are available at different levels depending on your existing qualifications. Options in England include the Level 3 laboratory technician apprenticeship and the Level 5 technician scientist apprenticeship.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not required.

What skills does a scientific laboratory technician need?

You'll need:

• laboratory health and safety skills - to work safely with equipment, chemicals and other materials and follow relevant procedures and risk controls
• practical laboratory skills - to prepare samples, carry out tests and apply scientific techniques accurately and consistently
• attention to detail and accurate record keeping - to follow laboratory procedures precisely and record measurements, observations and results reliably
• laboratory equipment skills - to operate, clean and maintain scientific instruments and carry out calibration where required
• data analysis and numeracy skills - to interpret and evaluate results and recognise findings that may need further investigation
• problem-solving skills - to recognise problems with tests, methods or equipment and apply appropriate scientific methods to help identify causes and solutions
• communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills - to communicate scientific information clearly, work effectively with colleagues and provide appropriate technical support to others.

A driving licence may be required for some roles involving travel to different sites or collecting samples for analysis.

Do you need work experience to be a scientific laboratory technician?

Relevant laboratory or scientific work experience can help you develop practical skills and demonstrate your interest in the role. Some degrees offer a placement year, which can be a good opportunity to gain experience of working in a laboratory or scientific organisation.

If your degree doesn't include a placement, look for opportunities such as summer research studentships, laboratory assistant work, part-time work, internships or work shadowing. You can also approach relevant employers, university departments or research organisations directly to ask about opportunities.

It's also helpful to keep up to date with developments in your area of science. Relevant professional bodies offer student membership, careers resources, events and opportunities for professional development, including:

• Institute of Physics (IOP)
• Institute of Science & Technology (IST)
• Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

You can also keep up to date with developments through Laboratory News.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs scientific laboratory technicians?

Typical employers include:

• analytical, testing and contract research laboratories
• chemical, materials and consumer-product manufacturers
• environmental and water-testing organisations and utility companies
• food and drink manufacturers
• government departments, agencies and publicly funded research organisations
• hospitals, pathology laboratories and other healthcare organisations
• nuclear and other specialist scientific organisations
• pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology and diagnostics companies
• universities, colleges and research institutes.

Employers range from large multinational organisations to small specialist companies, universities and publicly funded research organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Civil Service Jobs
• emedcareers
• jobs.ac.uk
• Nature Careers
• NHS Jobs

Specialist scientific recruitment agencies, such as SRG and Network Scientific Recruitment, also advertise temporary, contract and permanent laboratory roles.

Where can a career as a scientific laboratory technician lead?

There are opportunities, with experience, to progress to senior or lead technician, technical specialist, supervisory or laboratory management roles. Depending on your interests, further learning and training may also allow you to move into related occupations such as technician scientist or research scientist. Opportunities for progression will vary according to your employer, sector and the size and structure of the laboratory.

Most training takes place on the job, where you'll develop your practical laboratory skills, learn to use relevant equipment and techniques, and become familiar with your employer's testing, quality and health and safety procedures. As you gain experience, you'll usually take greater responsibility for your own work and may undertake more complex technical tasks.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is important throughout your career and can include learning new laboratory techniques, undertaking technical or safety training and developing skills in areas such as data management, communication and leadership.

The Institute of Science & Technology (IST) provides training, conferences, networking and professional development opportunities for technical staff. It also offers guidance and support for technicians working towards professional registration.

The IST is licensed by the Science Council to award Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) status, which provides independent recognition of your scientific knowledge, technical competence and professional standards. As your experience and responsibilities increase, you may also be able to work towards Registered Scientist (RSci) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) status depending on your role.