What is a University Technician?

How a University Technician makes a difference

Most universities have laboratories where important research programmes are carried out and where students studying a range of science and engineering subjects learn experimentation techniques.

Laboratories and the equipment in them need to be properly supplied and managed, and students and researchers need support with their projects and experiments. You could be the technician who carries out research processes and helps students and colleagues to make scientific discoveries.

The type of work a University Technician will do

Carrying out repeat experiments
Data capture and record keeping
Checking findings against standards, highlighting any differences
Evaluating data
Formulating and reporting evidence
Collaborating with the lab team and university teachers
Helping students plan and carry out their scientific work

Useful skills

Attention to detail

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Problem solving

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the University Technician role

An understanding of basic laboratory techniques.

Some knowledge of chemistry, physics or life sciences.

An ability to focus and capture detailed information accurately.

What you can bring to the University Technician role

Confidence working with numbers and mathematical concepts.

An ability to define or identify a complex problem and arrive at possible solutions.

The capacity to adapt what you’re doing when situations change.

What you can bring to the University Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- science

- exploring problems and finding answers

- animals and nature

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a University Technician

Your technician role will give you skills that are transferrable to many kinds of laboratories, so you could decide to work in several different sectors.

Over time, you will have the experience to manage a team and could become a lab manager.

How to become a University Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Science.
An apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

As well as being involved in research and working with scientists on research programmes, you will play an important role helping students to become immersed in their scientific studies. You will also enable them to operate in the laboratory safely and efficiently and achieve their scientific goals.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Analytical Support Chemist
Technical Support Scientist
Microbiology Support Scientist
Process Development Technologist
Laboratory Assistant
Senior Laboratory Technician
Assistant Scientist
Technical Specialist (Scientist)
Quality Control Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Co-ordinator
Technical Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Analyst
Laboratory Research Assistant