what is a laboratory technician?
A laboratory technician is a lab staff member. As a lab technician, you work in the laboratory of a research institution, a hospital, a testing company, or a business enterprise. Your job involves planning experiments, carrying them out, monitoring their progress, and documenting the results. You examine, test, and develop all kinds of substances and materials. For example, in a chemical company's lab, you might test pesticides for environmental compatibility, while in a hospital lab, you analyze blood and tissue samples for diseases. Depending on your specialty, your tasks may also include working with cell cultures or microorganisms.
During your laboratory work, you use various chemicals, some of which can be hazardous. You operate complex equipment and instruments, and perform different calculations with the help of computer programs. To achieve reliable results and avoid accidents, you need to work carefully and precisely, while also following safety regulations. Additionally, you keep detailed records of each step of your work. In return, you gain exciting insights and knowledge. You also find great satisfaction in your role as a laboratory technician because you know that your work contributes to science or the development of a product.
laboratory technicianworking as a laboratory technician.
Conducting experiments, testing and developing substances, performing quality controls, all of this and much more are part of your responsibilities as a laboratory technician. But do you want to know exactly what this entails and what the daily work of lab staff looks like? Then keep reading.
-
your area of responsibility
-
Prepare and plan: Every successful laboratory experiment and test starts with careful preparation and planning. As a lab technician, among your tasks is to ensure that all equipment and chemicals needed for the experiment are ready. You take samples and handle them appropriately.
-
Conducting experiments and test series: During the experiment, you apply various methods. You synthesize new substances or separate compounds, or you let different substances react with each other. Depending on the requirements, you heat or cool the samples. You clean them by filtering, distilling, or centrifuging.
-
Documenting: At every stage of your work, you carefully observe what happens, either with the naked eye or using a microscope. At the same time, you carry out measurements with high-precision instruments such as laboratory scales, gas chromatographs, or mass spectrometers. You document every step and every measurement in the electronic lab journal, analyze the data, and create statistics and reports.
-
Cleaning up: After the experiment or test, you are responsible for tidying up. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the equipment and instruments, as well as properly disposing of any hazardous waste. You also keep a record of the materials and substances used, so that restocking can be ordered in good time.
-
Device programming: Many of the steps mentioned no longer need to be done manually today. The processes in the lab are increasingly being digitalised. Various laboratory automation systems and robots assist you in carrying out your tasks. As a lab technician, you are responsible for programming these devices.
-
-
who are your colleagues?
Computers and robots are, of course, not your only colleagues. As a laboratory technician, you work as part of a team. The team members include other laboratory technicians, but also lab technologists, biomedical analysts, or logisticians. The overall supervision of the experiments and tests is usually handled by chemists, biologists, medical doctors, or physicists.
types of laboratory technicians.
There are different types of laboratories in various fields of science and industry. That’s why there are also different kinds of laboratory technicians. These include, in particular:
- Chemistry laboratory technicians: As a chemistry laboratory technician, you analyze, synthesize, measure, and identify chemical substances.
- Color and varnish laboratory technicians: Color and varnish laboratory technicians are specialised chemist assistants who focus on the analysis, development, and improvement of colours, varnishes, wood preservatives, paints, and printing inks.
- Textile laboratory technician: Textile laboratory technicians are also specialized chemical laboratory technicians. They work in the field of fiber and dye chemistry and develop basic and auxiliary substances for the textile industry.
- Biology laboratory technician: As a biology laboratory technician, you mainly work with organisms and cell cultures. For your investigations, you use various methods, including molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques.
- Physicist laboratory technician: As a physicist laboratory technician, you're a generalist. You perform physical measurements for research institutions or industrial companies, examine materials, and build prototypes.
Are you looking for lab technician jobs? You'll find them here.
salary as a laboratory technician.
how much do I earn as a laboratory technician in a permanent position?
When working full-time as a laboratory technician, you typically work 40 to 42 hours per week and usually receive 13 monthly salaries. Based on 12 monthly salaries, as a newcomer to the profession, you can expect a gross monthly salary of between 4,600 and 6,500 Swiss francs, according to the national salary calculator of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
These are between 56,200 and 78,000 Swiss Francs per year. With several years of professional experience, a monthly salary of up to 12,000 Swiss Francs is possible. If you take on leadership roles during your career or acquire additional qualifications, you can even earn more. More information about your career options and further training opportunities can be found further down.
in which industry do I earn the most as a laboratory technician?
The highest-paid laboratory jobs are in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly with the major pharma companies in Basel. They offer starting salaries of up to 7,500 Swiss francs per month to their lab staff. Good pay is also common in the chemical industry. On the other hand, wages tend to be lower in the textile industry. There are also significant regional differences. You earn the most in the Basel and Zurich regions. The lowest starting salaries, under 4,000 francs per month, are found in the canton of Ticino
training and further education as a laboratory technician.
For work in the laboratory, you need to have completed an apprenticeship as a laboratory technician. The apprenticeship lasts three years and includes both gaining practical experience at the training company and attending vocational school. The latter usually takes one to two days a week. The apprenticeship concludes with the Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ). You can choose from four different specializations:
-
chemistry
-
biology
-
paint and varnish
-
textile
In addition, there is the apprenticeship to become a physics laboratory technician, which qualifies you to carry out physical experiments and measurements. It lasts four years and also concludes with the Federal Certificate of Competence. Depending on the job profile, companies may also offer laboratory positions to professionals with related training, such as chemical and pharmaceutical technicians, food technologists, or textile technologists. For simpler laboratory tasks, such as preparing experiments or cleaning equipment, a basic apprenticeship as a chemical and pharmaceutical practitioner is sufficient.
To advance professionally, it’s important that you continue your education regularly after completing your apprenticeship. You can attend courses at vocational and technical schools or participate in in-company training sessions. Additionally, you have the option to specialise and take a professional examination (BP) or a higher technical diploma (HFP). You can also enroll in a higher technical college (HF) and, for example, further your education as a biomedical analyst or a HF technician in systems engineering. If you perform well at school, you can even pursue the vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität) alongside your apprenticeship. This qualification enables you to study at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule, FH) or, with an additional exam, to undertake studies at a university or ETH Zurich.
positions as a laboratory technician.
The Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical industry is among the world’s leading. To stay that way, it needs to invest heavily in research and development. As a result, there are many attractive laboratory jobs available. The food sector, the paint and coatings industry, and the textile industry also require many lab technicians. There’s a high demand for laboratory staff in in-vitro diagnostics, especially in hospitals and private laboratories. You can also find interesting jobs for lab technicians in other sectors, such as machinery and metal industries. After all, hardly any technical product’s development isn’t backed by scientific research.
Are you looking for an especially exciting lab job where you can be part of groundbreaking discoveries? If so, you should consider a position at a university or another research institution. You can find such and other laboratory technician right here.
job openings for career changers as laboratory technicians.
A laboratory technician is a highly skilled profession. That’s why the requirements are quite high. Nevertheless, it is possible to enter the field through a lateral entry. Companies offering laboratory technician positions may also consider applicants with an apprenticeship as a chemical and pharmaceutical technician or those with foreign qualifications such as a chemist, chemical engineer, or chemical-technical assistant (CTA). A completed degree in chemistry or biology is also sometimes accepted.
The same applies to jobs for physics laboratory technicians, who are often open to applicants with related training such as electronics or automation. Your chances as a career changer increase if you can demonstrate additional training in the laboratory field or already have laboratory experience.
career opportunities and development potential as a laboratory technician.
Do you already have several years of experience in your laboratory technician role? Then it's time for the next step in your career. A good qualification for advancing to team leader is to complete further training as a scientific laboratory technician. In this training, you'll learn – besides technical knowledge, a lot about project management and leadership skills.
If you prove yourself as a team leader, nothing stands in the way of further advancement. With dedication and leadership skills, you can reach the position of laboratory manager. However, most companies require additional training for these roles. This typically includes a degree in chemistry or biotechnology from a university of applied sciences, or further education as a biomedical analyst or systems technician at a higher technical college.
Are you looking for a laboratory job with leadership responsibilities? Here you’ll find available positions.
skills as a laboratory technician.
To succeed in your job as a laboratory technician, you need a solid foundation in the natural sciences and the ability to work independently. In addition, you require the following skills:
-
analytical and interconnected thinking
-
mathematical and scientific talent
-
technical understanding
-
good powers of observation
-
craftsmanship skills, especially good fine motor skills
-
ability to work precisely and neatly
-
love of detail combined with the ability to keep an overview
benefits of working as a laboratory technician at randstad.
There are many good reasons to work as a laboratory technician at Randstad:
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s a chance to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many popular companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad
your professional development budget as a laboratory technician at randstad.
If you work as a laboratory technician for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program by swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your Randstad consultant is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge, all during your working hours as a laboratory technician.
application tips for laboratory technician at randstad.
Have you found your dream job as a laboratory technician? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:
-
1. find a position as a laboratory technician
Search through the Randstad job offers. If you don’t find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally without any obligation or to create a Randstad profile.
-
2. applying as a laboratory technician
The job ad continues right away: apply online, give us a call, or send us an email.
Make sure your documents are complete:✓ CV with photo
✓ work references & diplomasYou don't have a CV yet or only an outdated version? Create a new layout using a free online template.
-
3. preparing for a job interview as a laboratory technician
A good preparation helps you stay calm during the interview as a laboratory technician. Here are some tips for your job interview.
frequently asked questions.
Here you'll find the answers to frequently asked questions about the profession of laboratory technician.
-
what does a laboratory technician do?
As a laboratory technician, you carry out experiments and tests in the lab. What exactly you do depends on the type of lab. In a chemistry lab, for example, you synthesize new substances and facilitate reactions between different materials. Meanwhile, as a biological laboratory technician, you examine organic materials such as cell cultures or microorganisms.
Would you like to learn more about working as a laboratory technician? Then read on here.
-
how much do I earn as a laboratory technician?
As a laboratory technician, you start with a salary between 4,600 and 6,500 Swiss francs per month. With many years of professional experience, you can earn up to 12,000 Swiss francs per month. The pharmaceutical industry tends to pay the best.
Are you looking for a well-paid job as a laboratory technician? Then have a look at our job offers.
-
is being a laboratory technician a good profession?
Yes, if you enjoy the sciences and have good manual skills, working as a laboratory technician can be really rewarding. The job is varied and offers exciting insights. Plus, it’s very satisfying to know that your work contributes to research. Without laboratory work, no new medicines would be developed, food quality couldn’t be improved, and many other advancements in our daily lives wouldn’t be possible.
You can learn more about the laboratory technician profession on this page.
-
is the work as a laboratory technician difficult?
A lab technician is a demanding profession. To achieve meaningful results, you need to work very precisely and keep detailed records of your work. Additionally, you must follow safety regulations since you handle hazardous substances. But the lab technician job is especially exciting because it challenges you intellectually.
Would you like to take on the challenge? Then you’ve come to the right place with our job offers.
-
what requirements do I need to meet to become a laboratory technician?
You need a completed apprenticeship as a laboratory technician EFZ or training in a related field. Good job prospects are also available for chemical and pharmaceutical technologists. In addition, you require the right skills, especially analytical thinking, the ability to work precisely and accurately, and a keen eye for detail. And you need to find the right position – for example, here.
-
how long does the training as a laboratory technician take?
The apprenticeship as a laboratory technician in the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Textiles, as well as Paints and Coatings lasts three years. The training as a physics laboratory technician takes four years. During your apprenticeship, you'll gain both technical knowledge and practical work experience. That means: after completing your training, you'll be ready to start working right away. The right position to kick off your career as a lab employee can be found here.
-
how do I apply for a vacant position as a laboratory technician?
Applying for a job as a laboratory technician is quite straightforward: you create a profile on Randstad and browse our job listings for available positions in your area. Then, you send us your cover letter along with your CV.
Need help with your application? Then check out our application tips.
