Architect - Laboratory Design

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description:
Arcadis is a globally recognised design and technology firm with deep expertise in architecture, engineering, and planning. Within our Science & Technology sector, we are leaders in designing advanced laboratory environments that drive innovation in healthcare, life sciences, and pharmaceutical research. We are currently seeking a Laboratory Design Architect with at least 8 years of relevant experience to join our dynamic UK-based team (London, Manchester, Cardiff). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile lab design projects across the UK and internationally, within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

As a Laboratory Design Architect, you will lead the design and planning of state-of-the-art laboratories for clients in the life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. You will work across all project phases – from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design, technical coordination, and delivery – ensuring that every space supports scientific innovation, regulatory compliance,

Role accountabilities:

• Lead the architectural design and planning of laboratories for science and pharmaceutical clients, including CL2/CL3 containment labs, cleanrooms, GMP manufacturing facilities, and research environments.
• Develop layouts and technical solutions that respond to complex laboratory workflows, equipment integration, and regulatory requirements Collaborate with internal teams and external consultants (including M&E, structural, and lab planners) to deliver coordinated and high-quality design solutions.
• Engage directly with clients, scientists, and end users to understand operational needs and translate them into innovative and practical design strategies.
• Produce high-quality architectural drawings, reports, and specifications in compliance with UK Building Regulations and industry standards.
• Support project delivery from RIBA Stages 0–7, including oversight of construction and site coordination.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and mentoring within the team, especially around lab-specific design methodologies and best practices

Qualifications & Experience:

• RIBA Part III qualified and ARB registered Architect.
• Minimum 8 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 5 years specialising in laboratory or science & technology sector projects.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating experience with laboratory design for life sciences, biotech, or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Sound understanding of UK planning, building regulations, and laboratory specific compliance (e.g., GMP, ACDP etc. where relevant).
• Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD; familiarity with BIM Level 2 workflows.
• Strong organisational and communication skills; able to lead client meetings and design workshops confidently.
• Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and managing complex stakeholder groups.
• Experience with containment level 2/3 laboratories and GMP facilities.
• Knowledge of sustainability in laboratory design, including energy-efficient systems and low-carbon materials.
• Experience on major UK infrastructure, NHS, or science campus developments.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It's why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.