Associate Architect
Life Science, Laboratory
London, uk
This is an opportunity for a driven and technically accomplished architect to step into a pivotal leadership role within the client’s close-knit and growing Life Sciences team.
JOB SUMMARY:
This is an opportunity for a driven and technically accomplished architect to step into a pivotal leadership role within the client’s close-knit and growing Life Sciences team. The studio is seeking someone who thrives on leading teams, delivering technically complex projects, and contributing to the continued growth of a specialist sector. The team focuses on Life Sciences and laboratory projects in the UK and has built a strong track record of delivering high-quality research, laboratory, and specialist facilities, particularly across London.
The client is a team of around 85 architects and designers working across multiple sectors from a central London studio. The Life Sciences team is a strategically important and expanding part of the practice, with a growing portfolio of technically demanding projects across academic, commercial, and institutional clients.
The team benefits from significant creative freedom, with no fixed house design style, alongside the autonomy to shape project outcomes within highly technical environments. A flexible and supportive approach to work–life balance is embedded within the studio culture. This role is aimed at a future leader who wants to play an instrumental role in growing a specialist studio, not just delivering projects.
RESPONSIBILITies:
Lead and mentor project teams, fostering a collaborative and technically rigorous studio culture across Life Sciences and laboratory projects.
Act as a key client contact, leading meetings, design workshops, and presentations with scientific users, stakeholders, and consultants.
the delivery of complex laboratory and Life Sciences projects, overseeing technical design, coordination, and implementation from concept through completion.
Champion innovative, robust, and highly functional design solutions that respond to the specific technical, regulatory, and user requirements of laboratory environments.
Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams, ensuring seamless integration of architectural, MEP, and specialist laboratory systems.
Ensure projects meet all relevant building regulations, health and safety requirements, and sector-specific standards.
SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:
RIBA or ARB-registered architect with a minimum of 6+ years’ post-qualification experience.
Proven experience delivering Life Sciences, laboratory, or technically complex research facilities.
Strong technical expertise, particularly in highly serviced buildings and complex coordination.
Confident client-facing skills, with experience engaging directly with scientific users and specialist stakeholders.
Proven experience delivering projects across all RIBA stages (0-7).
Strong design capability, with the ability to balance creativity and technical performance.
Solid knowledge of UK building regulations, construction processes, and best practice for laboratory environments.
Highly organised, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering technically excellent architecture.
This is an opportunity to join a respected, design-led practice where you will play a key role in delivering complex, high-impact life sciences and laboratory projects and shaping the future growth of this specialist sector. The office offer 3 days office and 2 days working from home.
