Laboratory Assistant

Unilever; Wirral; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Laboratory Assistant in a leading FMCG firm, where you'll play a key role in conducting essential dishwashing tests. This full-time temporary position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment. You'll be involved in machine preparation, sample management, and executing simple experiments, all while collaborating with a dedicated team. If you're detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about science, this opportunity in picturesque Port Sunlight could be the perfect fit for you!

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Staff shop discounted products

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Access to site clubs

Catering outlets on site

Cold-water dispensers

Qualifications

• Experience in a lab or similar environment is beneficial.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Prepare MDW machines and manage inventory for dishwashing tests.
• Conduct simple experiments and technical measurements.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

IT Skills

Education

A-level or degree in science

Graduates considered

Tools

Microsoft Office Applications

Job description

This range is provided by Unilever. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

We are currently seeking an interim Laboratory Assistant to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client’s scientific Research & Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral easily accessible by train and car. This is a full-time temporary role to run for 6 months, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £26,325 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

Applicants must be able to commence the role within 2 weeks of offer due to the urgent nature of the role.

The role will be based in the home care Machine dishwash (MDW) category and based in a large laboratory where several internal dishwashing tests are carried out. These tests are aimed at measuring the technical performance of our dishwash products in a number of areas. Because testing involves many operational activities, we need a team that can run the operation of the machines, preparation of the samples, and occasionally run simple experiments.

The role is laboratory based, helping in the running of everyday experiments. There is some flexibility as to how the hours are achieved, but it is preferable that the person is in every day with a standard full day working hours from 8am – 4pm. The main activities are as follows:

1. MDW machine preparation – cleaning machines between studies so that they are ready for the next set of products or tests.
2. MDW Article collection and preparation – this involves ensuring that plates/glasses, etc. are fit for use and are disposed if not.
3. MDW test washes – turning on the dishwashers and opening doors at the end of cycle as appropriate, loading the machines with articles and adding the appropriate ballast soils.
4. Re-wash of MDW articles for re-use, managing inventory, and stock control.
5. Stain making for MDW studies.
6. Simple MDW experiments where a demonstration of product benefits is required – this will be following a specific experimental process, usually with commercial products.
7. Technical instrumental measurements on MDW articles (after appropriate training) for instance colour measurements, weight measurements or the digital imaging of washed articles.
8. Use of digital systems for inventory tracking and article tracking through studies.

Skills required:

1. Experience working in a lab or a similar environment e.g. healthcare, clinical etc beneficial.
2. A-level or degree in science beneficial but not essential.
3. Graduates considered but not essential for this role.
4. Organisational skills – ability to switch between various tasks in the course of the day, and plan for the week following the set allocated workflow.
5. Attention to detail – for instance the person needs to follow the workflow, to ensure the right mixes and soils to be used and ensure that machines are run with specific programmes and ensure that machines are loaded correctly.
6. Teamwork – this role is in a team of 3 and they all have to interact with many colleagues in the laboratory.
7. IT Skills - Proficient in using Microsoft Office Applications and ability to pick up new systems easily.

Additional Information

Port Sunlight working environment:

1. Free onsite parking.
2. Staff shop discounted products.
3. Working in state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities.
4. 5 mins walk to train station serving Liverpool & Chester.
5. 20-minute drive from Liverpool city centre/30-minutes’ drive from Chester.
6. Disabled parking.
7. In the heart of picturesque Port Sunlight village.
8. There are also several site clubs available to join covering a range of topics including Book Club, Running, Choir, Pool, Genealogy and much more.
9. The sites have three catering outlets which provide a range of hot and cold food and drinks daily.
10. In addition there are a range of vending machines and cold-water dispensers around the site accessible throughout the day.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Temporary

Job function

• Science
• Manufacturing and Personal Care Product Manufacturing