Laboratory technicians or assistants work with scientists in different types of labs, such as chemical, medical or educational. Areas they work in include diagnosing diseases and developing new products.

The Work

You could be:

• collecting samples and specimens for analysis
• preparing cultures or specimens for testing
• setting up equipment and instruments required for experiments and tests
• carrying out experiments and tests
• analysing and recording results, usually on computer
• repairing, cleaning and sterilising equipment after use and disposing of laboratory waste
• demonstrating experiments or procedures if you work in a school
• checking stock, placing orders and storing supplies correctly
• following strict health and safety procedures.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salaries for laboratory technicians range from £17,000 to £20,000 a year. With experience salaries can rise to £20,000 to £30,000 and some specialist technicians and lab managers can earn £40,000 or more.

In NHS labs, healthcare science support workers on the Agenda for Change pay scales start around Band 2, £24,647 to £26,763 a year. With experience they can work their way up to Band 3, £26,869 to £28,998 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

• You would work under supervision in a laboratory.
• Hours are usually regular but in some labs you may work shifts, on a rota basis.
• In a hospital lab, you may sometimes be on call.
• You might have to work with hazardous substances, such as chemicals, bacteria and radiation.
• You may have to do heavy lifting of equipment.
• You will probably wear a lab coat or other protective clothing and you may have to wear safety glasses for some work.

Useful Subjects

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health and Food Technology
• Physics
• Science
• Scientific Technologies (SCQF Level 6) (FA) (FA)
• SfW Laboratory Science

Getting In

You can enter at various levels, depending on the employer. Some employers might still consider school leavers with some subjects at National 4 or 5, or equivalent including science subjects. Usually they ask for more qualifications.

• You may be able to do a Modern Apprenticeship in Life Sciences and Related Industries at SCQF Levels 6 and 7, leading to an appropriate SVQ, or the technical level apprenticeship (SCQF Level 8).
• You might apply after taking a full time course leading to a NQ (SCQF Level 6), HNC (SCQF Level 7) or HND (SCQF Level 8) in a science subject or a subject such as food technology. You do not always need formal qualifications for entry to the NQ. For entry to HNC or HND you usually need 1-2 Highers.
• You might have a degree (SCQF Level 9) in an appropriate science subject — for entry to a degree you normally need 4-5 relevant Highers including science subjects.
• You need IT skills to process and record data from experiments.
• To work in a medical or educational environment with patients or students you will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.

You could work in a wide variety of labs, including but not limited to, food and drink, forensic, hospital, local authority, manufacturing company, oil and gas, paint, plastics, research institution, or school, college or university.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

7578

3.3 %

RISE

2029

7829

  United Kingdom

2024

81980

4.1 %

RISE

2029

85324

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What Does it Take?

You should be:

• practical and methodical
• interested in science
• logical and good at solving problems
• accurate and able to pay attention to detail
• observant and able to concentrate for long periods
• able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• responsible and willing to follow instructions and regulations
• able to work as part of a team
• an excellent written and verbal communicator.

Training

• Specialist training is on the job.
• Training may lead to an SVQ in an appropriate subject, depending on the work you do in the laboratory.
• You might also go to college part time to study for an SVQ, HNC or HND if you do not already have one.
• The Institute of Science and Technology offers a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Details are on their website.

Getting On

• With experience and further skills, you may be able to specialise or become a supervisor.
• Gaining qualifications, including those awarded by the Institute of Science and Technology, may help you to progress.
• There are usually more opportunities for promotion in large organisations.
• With appropriate qualifications and experience, you can become a member of the Institute of Science and Technology. You can then work towards becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.