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Laboratory Technicians

Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and checks, and perform a variety of technical support functions requiring the application of established or prescribed procedures and techniques to assist scientists with their research, development, analysis and testing, and to verify the physical, chemical and other characteristics of materials and products.

Average Salary

£21,402

New workers start around £11,970. Normal pay is £21,402 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £44,222.

Jobs

70,271

The number of jobs in the career for the current year.

Daily Tasks

  • Records and collates data obtained from experimental work and documents all work carried out.

  • Operates and services specialised scientific equipment, undertakes prescribed measurements and analyses and ensures that sterile conditions necessary for some equipment are maintained.

  • Grows cultures of bacteria and viruses, prepares tissue sections and other organic and inorganic material for examination and stains and fixes slides for microscope work.

  • Prepares and analyses body fluids, secretions and/or tissue to detect infections or to examine the effects of different drugs.

  • Sets up and assists with the construction and the development of scientific apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes.

Hard skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

  • Chemistry

  • Laboratory Equipment

  • Good Manufacturing Practices

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Biology

Soft skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

  • Communications

  • Detail Oriented

  • Research

  • Enthusiasm

  • Management

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

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