Working in the lab at universities to support students and enable important research breakthroughs
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.
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.
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:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
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.
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
