Laboratory Operations Assistant

Francis Crick Institute Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised on-site restaurant

Bike-to-work scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Francis Crick Institute is seeking a Laboratory Operations Assistant to join the Service Delivery Team in a full-time, permanent role. The post reports to the Quadrant Manager and follows Crick terms & conditions, with a working pattern Mon-Thu and Friday shifts.

The role focuses on safe waste management, consumables stock, general lab support and collaboration with researchers and service partners to maintain a safe, efficient research environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of laboratory areas and remove waste.
• Assist with general and laboratory queries via email, Slack and other channels to resolve issues.
• Stock management including updating stock control, receiving deliveries and restocking stores.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of hazardous materials and uphold chain of custody for materials.
• Assist with inventory of chemicals and routine maintenance of laboratory facilities and equipment.

Job description

Salary for this Role: From £28,920 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience Job Title: Laboratory Operations Assistant Reports to: Michelle Lehner Closing Date: 13/Sept/2026 23.59 GMT

Job Description: Laboratory Operations Assistant – Service Delivery Reports to: Quadrant Manager (Technical Team Manager)

Details of the role: This is a full-time, permanent post, on Crick terms & conditions. The working pattern for this role is: Mon-Thu 8:00-16:15 and Friday 8:00-16:00

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

We are looking for a Laboratory Operations Assistant to join the Service Delivery Team. As a member of the Service Delivery team, the Laboratory Operations Assistant (LOA) will provide essential operational support to the research and Science Technology Platform (STP) laboratories across the Francis Crick Institute. Working closely with our floor and quadrant managers, you’ll support the day-to-day operation and maintenance of our busy science floors, helping to ensure a safe, compliant, and efficient research environment. Your responsibilities will include the safe management and disposal of laboratory waste, maintaining stocks of consumables, routine cleaning and maintenance of laboratory facilities and equipment, and delivering general laboratory support activities. You’ll play an important role in keeping laboratories organised and ensuring researchers have the support and resources they need. This is a highly collaborative position and you’ll work as part of a dedicated team of Laboratory Operations Assistants, regularly interacting with researchers, operational staff, and internal service partners. If you’re interested in developing a career in laboratory operations support, this role offers an excellent pathway.

What you will be doing

• Maintaining the organisation and cleanliness of the laboratory areas including the removal of waste.
• Assisting with, or appropriately signposting, general and laboratory queries from Science and other stakeholders, using a variety of communications media (email, Slack etc) to ensure prompt resolution of issues, queries and challenges.
• Stock management of laboratory supplies; including stock checking, updating the online/ electronic stock control book, receiving deliveries and assisting with restocking the store areas.
• Upholding the chain of custody from the logistics team to the researchers, ensuring cold storage items are stored correctly.
• Manage hazardous materials safely and according to protocols, including preparing hazardous waste for safe disposal.
• Support communal scientific equipment upkeep.
• Assisting with the inventory of chemicals in the laboratories and their safe storage.

About you

• Minimum of Mathematics, science and English GCSE and/or experience gained in a relevant technical or service provision role
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.*
• Able to accurately follow work instructions, record information and carry out tasks in a diligent manner.
• A proven ability to work well with a team.
• Self-motivated with a flexible approach and a keen eye for detail.
• Able to work with minimal supervision using own initiative.
• A good communicator, able to deal confidently and diplomatically with a wide range of people at all levels.
• Ability to respond proactively to contacts in immediate area to ensure provision of service to the laboratories.
• Able to elevate issues as necessary to Quadrant Manager.
• Excellent organisational & prioritisation skills.
• As there is some heavy work involved and manual handling, candidates should be capable of daily porterage duties.
• The role requires walking around a large facility covering several floors.

About Working at the Crick

Our values Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

Our values

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply.

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services.
• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents.
• Childcare support allowance.
• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups' support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. At the Crick, scientists and staff collaborate to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. The Francis Crick Institute is a charity, founded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King's College London.