Lab Assistant job description
A lab assistant sets up, maintains and supervises the science or computer laboratory of a school or college. The role keeps practical sessions safe, equipment working and materials ready on time.
Why the role exists
Practical work is part of every science and computer course, and it only runs well if equipment and materials are ready. The lab assistant prepares the lab before each session and assists the teacher during it. They report to the lab in-charge or head of department and work with teachers and students.
What the person does
- Set up apparatus, chemicals, specimens or computers before each practical session as the timetable shows.
- Assist the teacher during practicals by handing out items, watching students and helping with demonstrations.
- Clean, dry and store glassware, instruments and models after use and keep the lab tidy.
- Maintain stock registers for chemicals, consumables and equipment and flag shortages early.
- Report broken, faulty or expired items and arrange repair, replacement or safe disposal as instructed.
- Keep safety items such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher and eyewash in place and ready for use.
- Prepare the lab and material for board or university practical examinations and external examiners.
- Follow the school's rules on safe storage, labelling and handling and report any accident or spill at once.
Skills and tools
- Handling glassware, chemicals, instruments or computer hardware with care
- Reading practical manuals and preparing solutions or setups correctly
- Safe storage, labelling and disposal practice set by the school
- Stock registers and simple spreadsheets for inventory
- Basic troubleshooting of microscopes, balances, circuits or lab computers
- Awareness of first aid and fire response in a lab
- Keeping order with students during practical sessions
- Clear reporting of faults and shortages to teachers
Education and experience
Preferred, never a bar: equivalent experience counts.
- Science graduate or diploma in laboratory technology, preferred, or equivalent experience
- Experience in a school or college lab, preferred, in the relevant science or computer subject
- Safety or first aid training, preferred; confirm any requirement for your lab with your own adviser
- Attention to detail in records and careful handling of materials
How the work is judged
- Labs ready on time for every scheduled practical session
- Accuracy of stock registers and early notice of shortages
- Condition and upkeep of equipment, glassware and chemicals
- Safety record in the lab and prompt reporting of any incident
- Preparedness for practical examinations and inspections
Where the role can lead
- Senior lab assistant or lab in-charge for a school or college
- Lab technician in a research, testing or quality control setting
- Science kit or equipment trainer for an education company
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order and score them against written anchors, so the decision rests on the work and not the impression.
- A bottle in the store has no label and its date is unclear. What do you do?
- A student breaks a flask during a practical. How do you handle the clean-up and report it?
- How do you prepare the lab for a batch of fifty students doing the same experiment?
- How do you keep a stock register for chemicals so shortages are caught early?
- A microscope or lab computer stops working before a practical. What steps do you take?
- Describe how you keep students safe when the teacher is called away for a moment.
Hiring tips for this role
- Give a short practical task such as preparing a solution or setting up an experiment. Watch for care, tidiness and safety habits.
- Ask about stock records the candidate has kept. Missing registers and unmarked chemicals are common problems in school labs.
- Any safety training or registration needed for your lab depends on the subject and facts. Confirm it with your own adviser.
- Do not hire a lab assistant only to clean. Be clear about preparation, records and student supervision in the job description.
Questions about hiring a lab assistant
A lab assistant mainly prepares and tidies the lab for teaching. A lab technician usually has more technical training and may maintain instruments or support research. Titles vary, so describe the duties rather than rely on the name.
Not always. Many labs hire people with a diploma or school-level science and train them on the job. A degree is preferred for advanced labs, but careful habits and safety awareness matter more.
Both share it, but the teacher leads during a session. The assistant keeps the lab, storage and safety items in order. Write the split into the job description and review it with the head of department.
GullyHR agrees the job description with you, finds and screens candidates for the permanent role and supports the offer. Your lab in-charge or head of department runs the practical test and decides.
Hiring a lab assistant?
GullyHR runs talent acquisition for permanent roles. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates against it, and support the offer through to joining. We recruit permanent employees. We do not supply contract or temporary staff.