Summary
This role supports analysts with laboratory preparations and analytical tasks in the Microbiology section. Responsibilities include operating instrumentation per the Management System, maintaining preparatory equipment, logging daily records, entering data accurately into LIMS within set timeframes, and reporting quality issues to senior staff. You will prepare reagents and AQCs to internal procedures, maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping, participate in compliance audits, and assist across the section. To succeed, you must meet deadlines and SLAs with consistent outputs, prioritize tasks, adapt to operational demands, plan systematically, and understand analytical quality control principles. Strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environmental requirements is essential, alongside a commitment to ongoing skill and career development. Prior knowledge or experience in good laboratory practice is an advantage. Working window of 8-8 with the standard working pattern 10-18:00 (Monday -Thursday) 10.00am to 17:30pm (Friday) based on a 30 minute lunch.
Main responsibilities
- Operate instrumentation in accordance with the Management System.
- Assist with the maintenance and operation of preparatory equipment.
- Help to document information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
- Ensure data is accurately entered into the Laboratory Information Management System within set timeframes.
- Ensure to report and communicate with senior members of staff on any quality issues.
- Assist with the preparation of reagents and AQC's in accordance with company internal procedures.
- Always maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping.
- Participate in the auditing of internal practices to ensure compliance with the management system.
- Contribute to key tasks within the microbiology section.
- Achieve deadlines and service level agreements with consistent outputs.
- Demonstrate task prioritisation and show flexibility to help us meet demand.
- Plan and organise time systematically and demonstrate foresight to perform tasks successfully.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of analytical quality control.
- Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of Health, Safety and Environmental issues and adhere to the relevant requirements relating to microbiology and the Laboratory.
- Continue to develop knowledge and other laboratory skills as required for the work undertaken and for career development.
Qualifications and Experience
- Qualified to A-level or an equivalent standard or someone with relevant experience.
- Excellent numeracy, literacy, computer literacy and skills to engage in robust laboratory practice.
- A desire to learn and put into practice what you've learnt.
- Keen to take responsibility for personal and career development to progress to the next level.
- Previous knowledge and/or experience of good laboratory practice.
- Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities.
Benefits package
- Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
- Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
- Paid volunteering days.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Health cash plan.
- Life assurance.
- Wellbeing related benefits.
Compensation package
25,948.87
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