Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

Are You Ready to Make an Impact at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]? Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration. At [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

We are not just dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service, we are recognised for it. We were named Best Performing Professional Services Company of the Year (2025) at the One Nucleus Awards and CRO of the Year at the OBN awards.

Purpose: In [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] we are customer focused, science led, and results driven. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] performs a wide range of analytical and microbiological analyses for a variety of pharmaceutical, healthcare and food companies and supports [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] research and innovation.

The Operations Lab Support (OLS) department is responsible for the administration of all samples arriving at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], across all our sites, along with providing laboratory support to all the departments and liaising with internal and external customers.

Sample administration includes responsibility for the receipt of samples and materials, creating projects in our LIMS system, ensuring there are no discrepancies between submitted client paperwork, sample pot labelling and quotations. Tasks undertaken include sub-sampling of supplied samples, subcontracting analytical work and inputting of these results, returning samples to clients, and maintaining chain of custody for controlled samples.

Laboratory administration includes responsibility for supporting assigned laboratories with housekeeping, glass washing and maintenance of consumables and materials. Tasks undertaken include calibration of equipment, managing inventory and waste streams, disposal of samples and archiving of data.

In this role you take responsibility for performing the laboratory administration tasks within assigned areas of the business. The Laboratory Assistant maintains the availability of clean glassware and consumable items, manages waste streams, and ensures general laboratory cleanliness while operating in a safe manner. By undertaking the calibration of equipment and management of inventory you will maintain a compliant laboratory to quality standards.

Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Ensure laboratory housekeeping is completed to the required schedule and level for the assigned laboratories.
• Perform glasswasher duties on glassware from all laboratories linked with admin team’s site, ensuring adherence to all SOPs to minimise the risk of glassware contamination and avoidance of breakage.
• Maintain stocks of consumables within the laboratories.
• Calibrate basic lab equipment to the regulatory quality standards as required.
• Perform archiving and filing as directed.
• Perform disposal processes for samples, reagents, media and solvents.
• Manage inventory locations by keeping ambient stores, fridges and freezers clean and ordered.
• Be competent in the use of generic and specific software packages required for the role including LIMS system and Q-Pulse.
• Will be expected to work in different laboratories and sites if the demand is required.

Communication & Influence

• Work as part of an efficient team looking to implement process improvements.
• Liaise with site administration teams and line management to ensure effective communication.

QEHS

• Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed.
• To complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner.
• To understand and work to the requirements of GMP, UKAS and Home Office regulations.
• Ensure training records are accurate.

Behaviours and Competencies

• Safety Consciousness
• Communication Skills
• Team Collaboration
• Problem-Solving Abilities
• Organisational Skills
• Reliability and Trust
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Continuous Learning
• Attention to Detail
• Compliance with Regulations

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements

• Educated to A-level / HNC level (or equivalent) and / or have appropriate industry experience.
• Good understanding of basic lab equipment (preferred)
• Accountable, honest, hardworking and able to work efficiently in a team.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an ability to follow written instructions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn.
• Well organized and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently.
• Computer literate in standard MS office applications
• Experience of working in an administrative role
• Experience of working in a regulated environment
• English fluency (written and spoken)

More about this role: Location: Reading (RSC). No Relocation support available.

Business Unit Summary: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Enriched by our parent company, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.