Laboratory Technician jobs in United Kingdom

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3

Location: Preston

Compensation: £20,000 / year

Description

Location: Expac (Preston) Ltd, Units 1 & 2, Tomlinson Road, Leyland, Preston, PR25 2DY

Working for Expac

Expac is a trusted partner to some of the UK’s most recognisable brands, specialising in the development, filling, and packing of personal care, household, and pet care products. From concept to shelf, we help bring high-quality, everyday products to life — combining innovation, flexibility, and a commitment to excellence.

With a strong reputation for reliability and a fast-paced, growing operation, we support both established names and emerging brands across the UK retail sector. Our team works across a wide variety of product types and packaging formats, with every project focused on quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Whether you're just beginning your career or looking to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic industry, Expac offers a supportive and practical environment where you’ll learn from experienced professionals. As an apprentice, you’ll be part of real commercial projects — helping to create products seen on shelves across the country — while building valuable skills for your future.

The Package

• Starting salary from £20,000 per year (increasing to National Minimum/Living Wage after 12 months if applicable)
• Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm and Friday, 8:00am - 3:30pm
• 39 hours per week
• Annual Leave
• Pension Scheme
  
  

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

This role offers the chance to support a team of experienced formulation scientists and lab technicians working across product development and quality testing for personal care, household, and pet care products.

As an Apprentice, you will be trained in safe laboratory practices and gain hands-on experience with a variety of formulation and testing tasks. You will work in a professional lab setting, learning how to prepare and test product samples, monitor stability and compatibility, and contribute to the development of real products used by consumers every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare lab-scale batches of in-house formulated products, following defined methods.
• Assist with stability and packaging compatibility testing to assess long-term product quality.
• Measure and record key product attributes such as pH, viscosity, density, and sensory characteristics.
• Fill off batches for testing and customer submissions.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Order consumables and manage stock levels of raw materials and chemicals.
• Help maintain a clean, organised laboratory environment, ensuring equipment and inventory are well managed.
• Support general laboratory tasks and administrative duties as required.
  
  

You will receive full training and ongoing support to help you develop technical skills and confidence in a busy, fast-paced lab environment. This is a great opportunity to start a career in science while playing a part in developing products that reach store shelves across the UK.


What could the future look like?

Starting your apprenticeship with Expac is a great first step into a long-term career in formulation science and product development. If you successfully complete your apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity to progress into a full-time Junior Chemist role within our team.

You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience in a fast-paced commercial lab, supporting the development and testing of personal care, household, and pet care products seen on shelves across the UK. The skills you build here — from safe handling and sample analysis to method development and formulation — are highly valued across the wider FMCG, cosmetics, and health & beauty industries.

This apprenticeship can also serve as a pathway toward professional recognition, including the opportunity to become a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), accredited by the Science Council.

With the right attitude and performance, you may also have the chance to continue your development through further training or qualifications, such as our Level 6 Applied Chemistry Degree Apprenticeship. From there, you could progress into more specialised roles or take on leadership responsibilities — for example, moving from Junior Chemist to Formulation Chemist, Senior Chemist, or even into Lab Management.

At Expac, we believe in developing talent and creating opportunities for long-term career growth. Your journey starts here.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

About you

We’re looking for a motivated and curious individual who’s ready to start a hands-on career in formulation science and laboratory work. You should have a keen interest in chemistry and cosmetic product development, with a strong desire to grow your skills while contributing to real product testing and quality assurance.

You enjoy practical work, pay close attention to detail, and can stay focused even when working under pressure or to tight deadlines. You’re someone who can manage tasks independently but also understands the value of working collaboratively within a team. You communicate clearly, ask questions when needed, and are always eager to learn.

You’ll need to be comfortable working in a regulated environment and understand the importance of quality, safety, and accurate documentation. While a basic knowledge of quality assurance and control is helpful, full training will be provided.

Please note: Due to the nature of the role, candidates must be aged 18 or over.

Experience

We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as prior experience. Previous laboratory experience is advantageous but not essential — we welcome applicants from all backgrounds who have a genuine interest in science and the motivation to build a career in product formulation and testing.

You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain or start fresh. If you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit in well with our team.

Qualifications

While formal qualifications are not essential, having a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), including Maths and English, along with two or more science, technical, or engineering subjects, is beneficial. A Level qualifications in a scientific subject are also an advantage but not required.

What matters most is your genuine interest in chemistry and laboratory work, a practical mindset, good communication skills, and a willingness to develop and grow within a technical role at Expac.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

At Tiro we’re obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can’t wait to have you on board.

Over 21 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Expac who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Eligibility


While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.

As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.

If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.

You’ll need to be over 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.