Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
Imperial College London
London (SW7 2AZ)
Closes in 12 days (Monday 20 October 2025)
Posted on 22 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Do you have a passion for science? Would you like a hands-on role in a laboratory? Then this apprenticeship could be for you! Our laboratory technician apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to work at a world-class institution and to build the skills you need to kickstart your technical career in science!
- Wage
-
£29,199 a year
- Training course
- Laboratory technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 February 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Apprentices will be working alongside experienced science technicians within our Departments of Bioengineering and Chemistry, with a weekly day release to our training provider. They will assist with the preparation, set up and smooth running of teaching practicals. They will also help with the everyday smooth running of research laboratories, carrying out basic laboratory procedures and techniques. They will assist in the maintenance and servicing of laboratory equipment.
Where you'll work
Imperial College
London
SW7 2AZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTH THAMES COLLEGES GROUP
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
- Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
- Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
- Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
- Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
- Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
- Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
- Complete documentation proficiently
- Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
- Contribute to the preparation of reports.
- Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
- Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
- Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
- Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
- Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
- Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
- Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
- Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
- Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
- Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
- Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
- Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
- Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
- Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
- Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
- Complete documentation proficiently
- Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
- Contribute to the preparation of reports.
- Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
- Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
- Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
- Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
- Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
- Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
- Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
- Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Training schedule
Apprentices will complete a level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship. Off-the-job training will take the form of a weekly day release to our training partner. Apprentices will develop a range of laboratory and bench skills, including: working safely in a laboratory environment; following quality procedures while complying with internal and external regulations; laboratory techniques, including calibration and chromatography; compiling accurate records; data analysis and interpretation.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
- Science (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Interest in science
About this employer
Imperial College London is the UK’s only university focused entirely on science, engineering, medicine and business and we are consistently rated in the top 10 universities in the world. We work in a multidisciplinary and diverse community, harnessing science and innovation to tackle the big global challenges our complex world faces. It’s our mission to achieve enduring excellence in all that we do for the benefit of society– and we are looking for the most talented people to help us get there.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
On completion of this apprenticeship, apprentices will be supported to apply for a permanent science technician role at Imperial, focused either on research support or teaching support. They will also be supported to apply for professional registration (Registered Science Technician (RSci Tech) status).
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH THAMES COLLEGES GROUP
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000343070.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Monday 20 October 2025)
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