Laboratory Technician

The Opportunity

The Opportunity: The Senior Laboratory Technician role is typically someone who has multiple years' experience working in a laboratory environment and has developed knowledge of advanced tasks. This role leads and delivers the key lab support services to our customers which allows them to focus on the science and progress their projects. Lab Technicians work to an agreed Scope of Work (SOW) in customer laboratories following set procedures and following all compliance and safety regulations. The role will typically include stock management, equipment support services and both standard and advanced laboratory tasks aligned to those laboratories.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• To perform standard and advanced laboratory support activities in adherence with GMP standards, as per defined scope of work and to agreed timelines.
• Follows agreed procedures and documents all activities.
• General laboratory housekeeping, equipment performance checks (e.g. balances, autoclave), glassware washing, equipment cleaning and operational readiness, GMP laboratory procedures.
• Perform equipment preventative maintenance in line with standard operating procedures.
• Management of multiple laboratory waste streams ensuring all waste is handled according to agreed processes and delivered to the waste service provider with correct documentation and labelling.
• Laundry management duties, distributing clean lab coats and ordering new as required.
• Daily use of the Kanban system to maintain supply of the laboratory chemicals, solvents, plates, purchase media and consumables across multiple labs.
• Daily use of Customer software (CISPro) to receipt and approve (where applicable) defined chemicals, solvents and consumables.
• Proactively works with the Avantor QAB procurement co ordinator and end user to source ad hoc supplies for the laboratory scientist.
• Takes a lead role in ensuring ownership and accuracy in area of responsibility through regular audits.
• Preparation of buffer, media and reagents utilising electronic notebook system to record batch details/ generate labels.
• Adheres to all Health and Safety regulations and promotes this ethos within the broader Avantor team by taking on specific roles to support area manager.
• Proactively identifies, raises, leads and implements process improvement opportunities following a 'One Team' approach.
• Provides cover for colleagues when required. This may be in areas outside of normal working laboratories during times of absence and once fully trained.
• Provide support, guidance and training to existing and new laboratory technicians sharing experience to ensure high standards are maintained.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Health and Safety qualifications an advantage.
• Trainer status (or working towards).

Knowledge

• 1-2 years' experience of working in a laboratory environment.
• Experience of working to Health and Safety regulations in the laboratory environment.
• Understanding and experience of a customer service role, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Experience in working to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and knowledge of working to GxP or in regulated laboratory environments.
• An understanding of GMP in the Pharma industry.
• Excellent understanding of laboratory processes.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills and ability to convey a message to all levels of the organisation.
• Proficient in the use of IT equipment as part of daily role including laptop and smartphone.
• Proficient in using Microsoft O365 systems including Teams, Word, Excel etc.
• Excellent planning and time-management skills.
• Good written communication and document writing skills.
• Ability to formally present information to an audience.

Abilities

• Proven willingness to work flexibly in a team and independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Excellent customer service focus and ability to work collaboratively to understand customer needs.
• A good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members.
• Self motivated to deliver a high quality service.
• Holds self accountable for own actions and always looking to drive improvement.
• Strives for excellence and not afraid to propose new ways of working to drive quality.
• Leads by example and shows respect for co workers and demonstrates positive attitude.
• Ability to change plans or priorities to deliver team goals and to meet customer SLAs.

Environmental Working Conditions

• Mainly based in a laboratory environment but will involve visits to other areas and wearing of required PPE (e.g. Safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes etc.).
• Manual handling of deliveries and a level of fitness required for movement between laboratories on a regular basis.
• Computer/DSE work.

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case by case basis.