Laboratory Assistant

Pertemps; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Laboratory Assistant in Edinburgh East. This role involves supporting sample handling, maintaining laboratory cleanliness, and assisting scientific staff with basic tasks. Ideal candidates should have a degree in a scientific field and possess strong organisation skills. This opportunity offers hands-on experience in a busy lab environment.

Qualifications

• Some experience working in a laboratory, ideally in a UKAS-accredited environment.
• Willingness to learn and support scientific staff with tasks.

Responsibilities

• Help prepare, collect, and clean laboratory equipment.
• Organise and transfer samples to storage areas.
• Maintain stock levels of materials and keep the lab clean.

Skills

Organisation skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in a relevant scientific subject

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Laboratory Assistant

Location: Edinburgh East

Hours: 36 hours per week

Rate of Pay: £14.02 per hour

Duration: 3 months (possible extension)

Start Date: Immediate

About the Role

We're looking for a reliable and motivated Laboratory Assistant to join our busy team in Edinburgh East. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory environment, supporting scientific staff with essential day-to-day tasks that help keep operations running smoothly.

You'll play a key role in supporting sample handling, equipment care, and general laboratory upkeep, ensuring high standards of safety and organisation are maintained.

What You'll Do

• Help prepare, collect, and clean laboratory equipment, glassware, sampling bottles, and storage containers.
• Organise and transfer samples from reception to the correct storage areas.
• Safely dispose of old samples following set procedures.
• Arrange safe storage of samples needed for future reference and assist with their return to customers when requested.
• Maintain stock levels of materials such as glassware, chemicals, and gases.
• Assist in keeping the laboratory clean and tidy - including communal areas, benches, cupboards, fume cupboards, corridors, and wash-up/storage spaces.
• Provide delivery and collection services for the lab (e.g. transporting samples when required).
• Support scientific staff with basic laboratory tasks and analysis where appropriate.

What We're Looking For

You don't need to be an experienced technician to succeed - we're more interested in your practical approach, organisation skills, and willingness to learn. Ideally, you will have:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific subject.
• Some experience working in a laboratory, preferably in a UKAS-accredited environment.
• A careful, methodical approach with great attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• A valid driving licence (desirable but not essential).

How to Apply

If you're enthusiastic, organised, and looking to grow your skills in a laboratory environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now via this advert!