Senior Laboratory Technician

Avantor provide a broad variety of on-site Laboratory Services for major pharmaceutical customers and work collaboratively with the client to provide resource to deliver core scientific activities.

The Laboratory Technician Support Service is an on-site service solution for AstraZeneca, which underpins VWR’s Laboratory Support Service. The service includes consumable management, supporting waste management, housekeeping, and equipment maintenance in customer laboratories. These services are delivered in collaboration with other services and vendors to meet overall customer needs, HSE requirements, and allows scientists time to focus on their core role. 

A Senior Laboratory Technician (Snr LT) role operates across multidiscipline Biopharma and Chemistry laboratories at AstraZeneca, playing a pivotal role within the Laboratory Technician (LT) team to ensure delivery of service, thus enabling great science across therapeutic areas. 

In coordination with multiple internal teams, the Snr LT is tasked with providing seamless day-to-day operations through managing equipment maintenance schedules, coordinating with representatives for timely equipment servicing, and maintaining calibration programs. Key interdependencies include close collaboration with laboratory managers on safety, health, and equipment, working alongside peers and senior laboratory management to implement innovations and process improvements, and liaising with external partners such as Veolia for waste management services. The role encompasses training responsibilities for new starters, documentation management through writing and reviewing work instructions and risk assessments and supporting compliance.  Helping to ensure the smooth operations of the LT service. 

Typical responsibilities may include: 

• Maintenance of lab consumable inventory, support identifying alternative products in the event of supply chain issues – preventing disruption to science across all laboratory spaces 

• Liaising with Waste management partners to support the requirements of the lab (biological and chemical) 

• Scheduling management and delivery of routine decontaminations of incubators, water baths, class II cabinets, fridge freezer and other equipment relevant to site across 16 large laboratory spaces. 

• Supporting and coordinating pipette calibration services 

• Maintenance of PPE stocks. 

• Training of new Lab Technicians to ensure robust and uniformed training across site. 

• Writing and reviewing Work Instructions 

• Reviewing relevant risk assessments 

• Engagement with relevant Lab Managers to understand and respond to support needed to maintain laboratory operations, including stock and reagent supply. 

• Proactively identify and support operational efficiencies by proposing, implementing, and reporting process improvements 

• Assists with organised visits from internal/external partners and regulatory bodies 

• To provide day to day resilience support for the LT service and conduct LT activities as directed. 

• Support of Smart Lab Manager, through supporting ad hoc request management and equipment scheduling.  

Health and Safety: 

• To carry out all scientific support activities in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines, GLS & GxP. 

• Adhere to SHE regulations, PPE policies and follow Avantor work instructions.  

• Support and SHE actions or investigations alongside Lab Managers

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a GCSE in a science subject is required. 

• A-levels or demonstrable relevant experience. 

• A degree in scientific discipline would be beneficial, although not mandatory. 

• Experience working in the laboratory environment

Knowledge skills and abilities:

• Customer Focus & Collaboration: Proven excellent customer service focus and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders. 

• Communication: Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills. 

• Problem-Solving: Good problem-solving capabilities and the confidence to react promptly to deliver the best service possible. 

• Planning & Organisation: Good planning, organisational, and analytical skills. 

• Time Management & Flexibility: Effective time management skills, with the ability to be flexible and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis. 

• Teamwork & Independence: Ability to work effectively both independently and as a committed member of a team. 

• IT Proficiency: Good IT skills required (including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook). 

• Laboratory Experience: Previous experience working in a laboratory environment  

• Team Commitment: Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team, showing loyalty and commitment to team and organisational goals. 

• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to adjust working hours as needed to meet service demands and customer requirements. 

• Personal Attributes: Self-motivated, energetic, and dependable with a proactive approach.

This role is primarily based within a scientific laboratory, with some tasks requiring office-based desk work. The position routinely involves the handling of, and potential exposure to, hazardous materials and substances, for which appropriate training and safety protocols are in place. Physical requirements include frequent walking, standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, and the ability to lift or carry items typically weighing up to 20kg.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

EEO Statement:

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 recruiting@avantorsciences.com 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. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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