Senior Architect - Laboratory Consulting London, United Kingdom

Buro Happold group.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering consultancy in Greater London is seeking a Senior Architect for their Laboratory Consulting team. This role involves leading design projects for transformative science facilities. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in laboratory planning and a keen interest in the life sciences sector. The position offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement and a comprehensive benefits package including a strong commitment to professional development and well-being initiatives.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Attractive benefits package including pension

Flexible benefits including travel insurance

Enhanced parenthood leave policies

Commitment to continuous development

Comprehensive employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as a job-leader on science sector projects.
• Significant professional experience in science and fit-out sectors.
• First-hand experience of laboratory briefing and planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and consultancy on laboratory projects.
• Prepare and review project documentation and drawings.
• Manage project deadlines and communicate with stakeholders.
• Present solutions to clients and articulate project benefits.

Skills

Laboratory briefing and planning

Graphical communication

Problem-solving

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Coordination with consultants

Tools

Revit

Photoshop

InDesign

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Senior Architect - Laboratory Consulting

Number of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Permanent. Competitive.

Working Hours: 37.5

Location: London

Closing Date: 11/02/2026

Job Category: Engineering and Design

Business Unit: UK+ Laboratory Consulting

Thrive on openness, respect and collaboration? Good. Us too. Join our Laboratory Consulting team as a Senior Architect and create transformative buildings and spaces in the Science sector.

Laboratory Consulting @ Buro Happold

Buro Happold’s laboratory designers bring a wealth of expertise to projects, informed by decades of experience delivering some of the most complex yet human-scale research facilities to world-leading clients.

From design concept to delivery to peer review and post-occupancy evaluation, our laboratory consultants can provide the support required at each stage. We are also able to draw on Buro Happold’s deep experience of integrated engineering and design knowledge from a wide range of projects around the world.

Our track record in laboratories, research facilities, innovation districts and university research buildings spans a wide range of scientific disciplines and technologies and is based on developing a deep understanding of our clients’ needs. We understand that different branches of science and technology need very different approaches and use our experience to create spaces which encourage creativity and accommodate changing technologies. This reduces the need for future investment, while providing scientists with stimulation, safe and effective workspaces.

Our recent workload includes UCB Project Apple where we supported Heatherwick Studio to create a major new headquarters for a global biopharmaceutical company. With Kadans and the Canary Wharf Group we supported KPF Architects on One North Quay, Europe’s tallest purpose-built commercial lab.

Key Duties:

• Taking on a job leader role within the discipline.
• Contributing to design, analysis and consultancy on projects.
• Providing technical input on projects as part of a team.
• Interpreting direction from stakeholders/users into design decisions with a strategic approach.
• Working as part of a single or multi-disciplinary team attending meetings with lead architects, contractors, consultants, etc.
• Produce and review reports, presentations, Revit models, and drawings as requested by the client to an excellent standard, high level of accuracy.
• Proposing solutions to challenges, being able to articulate and document the benefits and shortfalls of each.
• Presenting in front of clients, other professionals and suppliers and represent Buro Happold.
• Depending on project size, able to work independently and report to project director.
• Manage project’s deadline and programme and comply with Buro Happold procedures.
• Demonstrable experience as a job-leader on science sector (or adjacent/related) projects.
• You should have first-hand experience of laboratory briefing and planning and must be able to demonstrate good graphic communication skills and experience of liaison and coordination with other consultants and the client.
• Significant professional experience in science (and non-science sectors particularly in fitout).
• A strong interest in the life sciences sector and keenness to focus your experience in this area.
• Experience in coordinating complex projects, including fit-out and services.
• Strong analytical mindset with problem-solving skills
• Strength with verbal and graphic communication skills
• Working knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign and Microsoft Office suite is advantageous.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and open environment.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Attractive benefits package including, pension (10% employer contribution), private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection.
• Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
• Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
• A strong commitment to your continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you.
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
• A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
• A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [e-mail] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.