Apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician EFZ Biology 100%

Apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician EFZ Biology 100% in Wädenswil, starting summer 2026

Are you fascinated by the diversity of biology? Are you looking for a challenging yet varied apprenticeship in a laboratory where research and new developments take place? Then apply with us!

Department: Life Sciences and Facility Management

Start date: 14.08.2026

As a Laboratory Technician EFZ specializing in Biology, you will assist at ZHAW in researching biological processes in the fields of molecular biology, food sciences, pharmacology, or environmental studies. You will examine soil samples for bacteria and learn to identify them correctly. You will analyze the influence of bacteria or fungi on food. You will learn how to cultivate different types of bacteria or cells and prepare them for drug testing, or how to analyze and modify DNA using molecular biology techniques. You will work in a team with scientific staff and assistants on current research projects.

During your 3-year practical training with us, you will rotate through various laboratories and gain insights into the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry, food biotechnology, cell biology, and environmental genomics. You will learn all the essential basic techniques of the laboratory profession. You will spend a period of 3 to 12 months at a rotation site, where you will be fully integrated into the respective research group. You will work with bacteria, fungi, viruses, cells, DNA, and proteins and learn how to independently plan and conduct laboratory experiments. Naturally, reading technical information, daily documenting experiments, and evaluating results are also part of the job. You will also work on computers and with the latest and highly sensitive measuring devices. You see - the apprenticeship as a laboratory technician is very versatile, but requires precise work, as well as a lot of endurance and patience.

Your practical training takes place at ZHAW Wädenswil, and you will attend vocational school two days a week at the Vocational Education School Winterthur (BBW). With very good school grades, you have the opportunity to attend the vocational maturity school alongside your apprenticeship, provided the admission requirements are met (BM 1-flex). At the beginning of the apprenticeship and in the second year, you will participate in the inter-company course (ÜK) at ETH Zurich for seven weeks each.

You are in secondary school level A, with good grades in mathematics, natural sciences & technology, German, and English, or you have already completed this. You are interested in biology and chemistry and enjoy experimenting.

You are reliable, have good observational skills, and can also work independently. You are comfortable using a PC or other electronic devices. Additionally, you find it easy to keep things organized, whether you are working alone or in a team.

Applications are exclusively possible through our online tool (button "apply now"). Applications via email or post will not be considered.

Please upload the following documents:

Cover letter, CV, all available school certificates from secondary school onwards, placement test 8 or 9 (if available laboratory check/multicheck), trial evaluations, and trial confirmations.

Further information can also be found on our vocational training homepage.

Due to holiday absences, we will start the selection process in mid-August. Job interviews and trial applications will take place on September 1st / 2nd and 8th.

We look forward to your application!

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland, with over 14,000 students and over 11,000 continuing education participants, as well as around 3,700 employees.

The ZHAW is committed to promoting gender-mixed and diverse teams to foster equality, diversity, and innovation.

The Department of Life Sciences and Facility Management (LSFM) is located in Wädenswil on the left shore of Lake Zurich. Here, teaching and research are conducted in six different institutes in the areas of environment, nutrition/food, health, and at the interface of chemistry, biology, and technology.

The Transversalis department at the LSFM department of ZHAW is responsible for promoting STEM and offers apprenticeship positions as laboratory technicians in the fields of biology and chemistry every year. Currently, there are eight apprentice laboratory technicians in training with us.

We offer university-level working and employment conditions and actively promote the professional development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the website "Working at ZHAW". Here are the key points:

Franziska Wiget

Head of Vocational Training for Laboratory Technicians ZHAW Wädenswil

Jocelyn Schaad

Recruiting Manager