Associate Architect - Laboratory Consulting

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

Key Duties

• Lead laboratory consulting projects as a Project Leader, involving effective project management, design coordination and promotion of multi‑disciplinary work within a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Draft additional fee proposals for presentation to the client, where appropriate.
• Represent Buro Happold and provide consultancy advice to clients, lead architects and collaborators.
• Participate in meetings with lead architects, consultants and contractors in a consultative capacity as part of a single and/or multi‑disciplinary team.
• Lead the design, analysis and consultancy on projects as guided by the Project Director.
• Coach, mentor and support junior employees to ensure they can be as effective and successful as possible.
• Promote wellbeing of the project team and raise concerns around management of the project, including client relationships.
• Establish a strong internal and external network to contribute to work winning through bidding for projects and repeat work. Where appropriate, set personal work winning targets and promote other Buro Happold service offerings.
• Propose multiple creative solutions to challenges, articulating and documenting the benefits/shortfalls of each to the client while taking into consideration other disciplines’ requirements.
• Produce reports, presentations, models and drawings as required.
• Ensure maintenance of ongoing learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Seek new opportunities to enhance the business’ skills, services and marketability with respect to Laboratory Consultancy and the Science & Technology sector.

Your skills & experience

• Significant experience as a job‑leader on science sector projects.
• First‑hand experience of laboratory briefing and planning and the ability 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 fit‑out).
• Strong Revit modelling skills.
• 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 you

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Attractive salary and benefits package including life assurance and income protection.
• Car allowance (10% of basic salary).
• Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
• Birthday day off.
• Generous company pension scheme.
• Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
• Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
• 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
• A 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 welcomes you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.