Apprenticeship as a Biological Laboratory Technician

You can look forward to a solid and comprehensive apprenticeship, supported and guided by experienced experts. You are not on your own: through our m apprentice network, you can connect with other trainees, exchange ideas, and support one another.

To help you get off to a strong start, you benefit from the extensive development opportunities within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – and you also have access to our e-learning tool, allowing you to continue learning flexibly at any time.

Your work-life balance also matters to us: with flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, there is plenty of room for friends, family, and free time.

And because an apprenticeship is not just about learning but also about living, you can enjoy many additional benefits: attractive discounts through our corporate benefits program, 30 days of annual leave, a company pension plan, and a staff restaurant offering meals at reduced prices.

Your apprenticeship usually lasts three and a half years, with a 39-hour work week – an exciting time in which you will grow step by step into your profession.
 

After your onboarding, your main responsibilities will include:

• Gaining insights into various departments at Fraunhofer ITEM and learning a wide range of laboratory tasks
• Learning laboratory techniques and procedures across different areas, in some cases under GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) conditions
• Assisting in the planning, execution, and evaluation of toxicological and molecular biological experiments, including work with animals, microorganisms, and cells
• Participating in additional training courses within and outside the institute alongside your vocational school classes
   

Your vocational school

Your vocational school is the Justus- von Liebig- Schule in Hannover-Höfestraße.

After completing your one-year vocational basic education program, you will begin your 2.5-year apprenticeship as a biological laboratory technician at our institute. In parallel, you will attend vocational school one day per week, where you will learn the theoretical foundations while acquiring practical skills directly at the institute. Your training includes, among other things, the safe handling of chemicals as well as the responsible use of plants and animals as research subjects.

• A completed vocational school program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Enthusiasm for the natural sciences
• Motivation, strong comprehension skills, a high willingness to learn and a structured, independent way of working
• Good communication skills and enjoyment in working with people and in a team
• Proficiency in MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Very good German and good English

Have we sparked your interest? Our application process typically begins at the end of the previous year and runs until the end of January. Set yourself a reminder and apply for an apprenticeship as an IT specialist at Fraunhofer ITEM in Hannover – #ChangeStartsWithYou!

For our apprentices, the framework conditions – including pay and vacation entitlements – are defined by the collective agreement for apprentices in the public sector (TVAöD), ensuring transparency and fairness. You can find the current version of the TVAöD here.

You will also enjoy additional benefits such as a company pension plan, a Christmas bonus in November, and a learning materials allowance when you start your apprenticeship.