Apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician EFZ Chemistry 100%

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

Are you fascinated by natural sciences and technology? 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 of work: 1.08.2026

Your 3-year practical training as a Laboratory Technician EFZ in the field of Chemistry takes place at our scientific institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology (ICBT). In the focus area of Analytics, you will learn various analytical techniques to systematically examine and separate chemical compounds based on their composition and purity. In Synthesis, you will learn how to create new chemical compounds.

In the first year of training, you will learn all the important fundamentals of chemical laboratory work. You will work with chemicals in the form of solid samples, liquids, or gases and learn how to independently plan, conduct, and document laboratory experiments. In the second and third years, you will increasingly be involved in ongoing research projects or assignments from external companies and will also conduct analyses independently. You will participate in research in environmental analytics, surface analytics, or organic chemistry.

You will work in a team with other trainees, scientific staff, and assistants in chemistry, where you will be firmly integrated into a specialist group. Naturally, reading relevant safety and technical information, daily documenting your work, and evaluating results are also part of the job. You will work with glassware and operate the latest high-tech devices. Working on a computer is a given. You see – the apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician in Chemistry 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 you meet the admission requirements (BM 1-flex). At the beginning of the apprenticeship and in the second year, you will participate for six weeks in the cantonal inter-company course (ÜK) at the University in Zurich.

You are in secondary school level A, with good grades in Mathematics, Natural Sciences & Technology, German, and English, or have already completed this. You are interested in chemistry, enjoy mathematics, and have a passion for experimenting.

You are reliable and have good observational skills. You can also work independently and are resilient. You are comfortable using a PC or other electronic devices. Additionally, you find it easy to keep things organized, whether you work 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 4th / 5th / 11th and 12th.

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 gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote 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 fields 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 trainee laboratory technicians in training with us.

We offer university-level working and employment conditions and actively promote the professional development of our employees and leaders. 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, Vocational Trainer and Scientific Staff Member at the Transversalis Department

Jocelyn Schaad

Recruiting Manager