Laboratory Assistant - Chemistry

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Guelph, Ontario, is seeking a laboratory assistant for the Laboratory Services Division. The role involves preparing samples, conducting analyses, and ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards. Candidates should have a two-year diploma in Chemistry with relevant laboratory experience, as well as strong communication and organizational skills. This is a temporary full-time position from November 2025 to September 2027.

Qualifications

• Positive and service-focused attitude.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Self-motivated and adaptable.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food and environmental samples.
• Perform routine extraction and analytical procedures.
• Set up instrument sequences.
• Enter results into LIMS.
• Prepare reagents and maintain records.

Skills

Sample preparative techniques

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Knowledge of GLP

Education

Two-year Community College diploma in Chemistry

Job description

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Laboratory Services Division

Requisition ID: 1927

Department: LSD Agriculture and Food Laboratory
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

Temporary full-time from 11/10/2025 to 09/03/2027
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

Laboratory Services Division (LSD) provides diagnostic and testing services to clients in private industry, government and academic organizations. A diverse service laboratory, LSD consists of two operational units: The Agriculture and Food Laboratory (AFL) and the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL). The Chemistry Unit (AFL) is seeking a laboratory assistant to play a broad supporting role for chromatographic based analysis, as well as other chemistry related testing approaches within the Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Preparing a variety of food and environmental samples (cleaning, chopping, grinding, weighing) and/or sub-sampling;
• Performing a variety of routine extraction and analytical clean up procedures and tests;
• Setting up instrument sequences and performing sample analysis under the guidance of laboratory technicians;
• Entering analytical results into LIMS;
• Preparing reagents and analytical standards;
• Verifying pipettes, thermometers, etc. and maintaining appropriate records for accreditation requirements;
• Discarding samples, solvents and reagents in compliance to health & safety standards and protocols;
• Understanding and complying with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) GLP and/or ISO 17025 guidelines, LSD guidelines and policies including Health and Safety and Quality Assurance;
• Ensuring laboratory cleanliness and safety

Requirements

• The Chemistry Unit environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative. Candidates who bring a positive and service-focused attitude, who thrive managing multiple tasks, are highly adaptive and flexible, and enjoy working within a team environment, will be most successful in this role.
• Two-year Community College diploma from a Laboratory Technician program in the Chemistry field, combined with 6-months of relevant laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated working experience with a variety of sample preparative techniques, extractions (liquid/liquid, solid phase, reflux and acid digestions) and rapid tests;
• Proven ability to work efficiently and effectively in light of new information, changing situations and different environments;
• Self-motivated, adaptive and able to work collaboratively in a team environment, within tight deadlines and minimal supervision;
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral/written communication skills;
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety and WHMIS legislation in a laboratory environment;
• Experience working in a Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) accredited laboratory is an asset.

Please note there may be multiple postings with the same job title. All candidates must apply to each role they are interested in separately. Please apply to each posting you are interested in to ensure you are considered for all available positions.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 11/05/2025
Closing Date: 11/12/2025