Where to gain biology related lab experience?

I'm in my final year of university studying for a degree in biology, and I've decided to take a year out before doing a masters (lack of money as I'm sure many can relate) so I thought this was a good opportunity to gain lab experience... but it's proving harder than I thought.

Where could I go/apply to that would take on a graduate to be a lab assistant or something similar? I'm in North London, but Central London isn't a problem. I just can't think of anywhere with labs that might take on someone with only a degree to get experience. I've looked into hospitals near me, but work experience is aimed more at GCSE/A level students.. A paying job would also be ideal, kill two birds with one stone! Anyone looking/found something like this and can offer suggestions?

Thanks! :smile:

Reply 1

laura130490

I don't know what area of biology you want to go into, but hospitals employ MLAs (medical laboratory assistants). It's not the best job in the world as often you will be left to do all the stuff no one else wants to, but you will get valuable laboratory experience and if you show them you are good they will give you more responsibilities. The pay isn't great and you only need GCSEs or A levels to get in, but it's the only NHS lab job I can think of what you can go into without having a specialist degree or training.

There's always the private sector as well, a lot of them employ lab technicians and the pay might be a bit better. You could look on newscientistjobs, a lot of jobs get advertised there :smile:

Reply 2

Disenchanted

There's plenty of lab technician jobs about, have you tried asking your own university bioscience department? They may have some positions going, and they tend to be 6months-1 year fixed term contracts anyway which would be perfect. Try all local universities, hospitals and scientific companies accessible to you, there must be a lot as you live in London! Good luck hunting :smile:

Reply 3

patrickinator

Original post by killthebatman

Have a look at this website: http://www.etrust.org.uk/
:smile:

Reply 4

killthebatman

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely have a look into each of them. Disenchanted you're right there are many university's near me, so hopefully there'll be something going! :smile:

Reply 5

adelina dulf

Hello,

I have an experience of almost three years in a medical laboratory environment in a private hospital from Romania. Two of them was as medical laboratory assistant until I finished my studies of master in Applied Biochemistry which allow me to work as Chemist in an hospital laboratory. Now I am living in UK and I am trying to find a job on this field but it's very hard withouth haveing NHS experience. Is somebody who know a way how I can get NHS training on medical laboratory environment? Thank you.