Laboratory Assistant - Hitchin 12 months contract

Zoetis; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

VPG, part of Zoetis, invites applications for a Lab Assistant in Hitchin on a 12-month contract to support daily laboratory operations and ensure timely, accurate pathology services for veterinary clients.

You will handle specimen processing, data entry in LIMS, reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, QA activities, and collaborate with the team to uphold safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Understand principles behind laboratory testing procedures.
• Able to work systematically in time-sensitive environments.
• Good manual dexterity and concentration for extended periods.
• Solid IT literacy including LIMS, Word and Excel.
• Strong problem-solving and questioning when needed.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day lab operations, ensuring safe, accurate work within turnaround times.
• Receive, record, store, allocate and dispose of specimens per procedures.
• Assist with basic lab investigations and routine technical activities.
• Prepare reagents and materials for routine lab use per SOPs.
• Use LIMS and other systems accurately per approved procedures.
• Help maintain lab equipment and cleanliness of work areas.
• Perform routine checks including temperature monitoring.
• Prioritize workload to respond to routine and urgent testing.
• Support quality control and quality assurance activities.
• Monitor stock levels to ensure supplies are available.

Skills

Lab procedures

Attention to detail

Time management

IT skills

Tools

LIMS

Excel

Job description

Lab Assistant - Hitchin - 12 Months contract

VPG - Part of Zoetis

Help us make a difference in animal health.

At VPG, part of Zoetis, we provide veterinary diagnostic services that help veterinary professionals make informed decisions and deliver the best possible care for animals.

We are looking for a Lab Assistant to join our laboratory team and play an important role in delivering a high-quality, reliable and timely pathology service to our veterinary clients.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys working in a scientific environment, takes pride in getting the detail right and understands that every sample matters. Your work will directly support the delivery of accurate diagnostic results, helping veterinary professionals make decisions that can improve animal health.

What you'll be doing

You will support the day‑to‑day operation of the laboratory, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately and within agreed turnaround times.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting basic laboratory investigations and the daily scientific and technical activities of the laboratory.
• Receiving, recording, storing, allocating and disposing of specimens in line with procedures.
• Identifying and resolving sample or process issues, seeking support from senior colleagues where required.
• Preparing reagents and other materials for routine laboratory use in accordance with SOPs.
• Using the laboratory LIMS and other systems accurately and in line with authorised procedures.
• Supporting the maintenance, cleanliness and readiness of laboratory equipment and work areas.
• Completing routine laboratory checks, including temperature monitoring.
• Managing and prioritising your workload to respond effectively to routine and urgent testing requirements.
• Supporting internal and external quality control and quality assurance activities.
• Monitoring stock levels and ensuring the laboratory has the supplies it needs to operate effectively.
• Ensuring results and administrative activities are completed accurately and within agreed turnaround times.
• Following all laboratory, health and safety and quality procedures at all times.
• Actively participating in training, learning and continued professional development.
• Supporting other reasonable laboratory duties as required by the Laboratory Manager.

What you'll bring

We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable, curious and highly attentive to detail.

You will ideally have:

• An understanding of the principles behind laboratory testing procedures.
• The ability to work systematically and accurately in a time-sensitive environment.
• Good manual dexterity and the ability to maintain concentration for extended periods.
• Good IT skills and confidence using systems such as LIMS, Word and Excel.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the confidence to ask questions when something does not look right.
• The ability to work independent so while also contributing positively to a wider team.
• Clear, professional and courteous communication skills.
• A commitment to quality and doing things right first time.
• A willingness to learn, develop and adapt as our laboratory and business evolves.

Previous laboratory experience would be valuable, but we are also interested in people with the right attitude, attention to detail and willingness to learn.

Why VPG and Zoetis?

VPG is part of Zoetis, the world's leading animal health company. This gives you the opportunity to be part of a global organisation while working within a specialist veterinary diagnostics environment where your contribution is visible and meaningful.

At Zoetis, our purpose is simple: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals.

Our colleagues are at the heart of how we achieve this. We believe in working together, acting with integrity, putting customers and animals at the centre of what we do, and continually looking for ways to improve.

You will join a team where quality matters, collaboration matters and your work matters.

If you are looking for a role where you can build your laboratory skills, contribute to high-quality veterinary diagnostics and be part of a company making a real difference to animal health, we would love to hear from you.

Join VPG. Be part of Zoetis. Make a difference to animal health.

About Zoetis

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.