Lab Technician

Southdown Veterinary Group; Salford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Hall Veterinary Services is seeking a Laboratory Technician to join our UKAS-accredited diagnostic laboratory. You will work on Salmonella testing, RSA serology, ELISA, water microbiology, and environmental monitoring, gaining hands-on experience in a regulated setting.

We welcome recent graduates or those with microbiology lab experience; comprehensive training will be provided to develop competencies in infectious disease diagnostics for the poultry industry.

Qualifications

• Qualified in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Biological Sciences, Veterinary Science or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Experience in microbiology, bacteriology or ELISA techniques is advantageous but training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Perform a range of diagnostic tests including Salmonella isolation and serotyping.
• Conduct RSA serology for Mycoplasma and Salmonella antibodies and ELISA testing.
• Monitor environmental hygiene and water microbiology in poultry diagnostics.
• Record data accurately and follow quality procedures; maintain biosafety standards.
• Support laboratory investigations through bacteriology and sample processing.

Skills

Communication

IT skills

Organised

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Microbiology degree

Biomedical Science

Biological Sciences

Veterinary Science

Job description

About the job

Location: Greater Cambridge Area (On-site)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Competitive, dependent on qualifications and experience

About Us

Slate Hall Veterinary Services is one of the UK's leading specialist poultry veterinary practices, providing veterinary, laboratory and diagnostic services to the poultry industry. With six centres across the UK, we support poultry producers through high-quality diagnostics, disease surveillance, vaccination programmes and veterinary consultancy.

Our UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and DEFRA-approved laboratory delivers microbiology, serology, molecular diagnostics, parasitology and water testing, helping to safeguard poultry health and production across the UK.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Laboratory Technician to join our friendly and supportive veterinary diagnostic laboratory team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or someone looking to begin a career in diagnostic microbiology, while also offering a varied and rewarding role for candidates with previous laboratory experience. Full training will be provided to the successful candidate.

Working within our UKAS-accredited laboratory, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality diagnostic services to the poultry industry while developing your laboratory skills in a regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

You will be involved in a range of diagnostic testing activities including:

• Salmonella isolation, confirmation and serotyping, including Salmonella Enteritidis vaccine strain differentiation.
• Rapid Slide Agglutination (RSA) serology for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Salmonella Pullorum antibodies.
• ELISA and other serological testing.
• Farm and hatchery environmental hygiene monitoring.
• Water microbiology.
• Bacteriology to support veterinary investigations.
• Oocyst and worm egg counts from faecal and litter samples.
• Preparation and processing of clinical and environmental samples.
• Accurate recording of laboratory data and adherence to quality procedures.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment, cleanliness and biosafety standards.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Self-motivated with excellent communication and IT skills.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Committed to maintaining the high standards required within a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
• Qualified in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Biological Sciences, Veterinary Science or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent laboratory experience).

Previous experience in microbiology, bacteriology or ELISA techniques would be advantageous but is not essential, as comprehensive training will be provided.

Why Join Us?

• Work within a UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and DEFRA-approved veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
• Gain hands‑on experience across a wide range of microbiological and serological techniques.
• Receive comprehensive training and ongoing professional development.
• Be part of a friendly, knowledgeable and supportive team.
• Contribute to improving poultry health and welfare across the UK.

This is a full-time, on-site position based in the Greater Cambridge area and includes participation in a weekend rota once training has been completed.