Laboratory Technician (Sensor Testing Laboratory)

hireful; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

hireful in Bristol is seeking a hands-on laboratory facilities assistant to join their science and operations teams. On-site full-time role supporting R&D and daily running of the research facility, maintaining instrumentation and ensuring accurate documentation.

You will work with a team of scientists, manage stock, assist with analytical method development, and ensure safety and compliance with SOPs, COSHH, and risk assessments.

Qualifications

• BSc in sciences or engineering required or equivalent experience.
• Experience in academic or industrial laboratory settings preferred.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• General facility housekeeping duties.
• Stock management of consumables and liaising with science team.
• Maintain facilities and instrumentation to support lab activity; training will be provided.
• Act as contact with external suppliers for servicing and procurement.
• Assist science team with data analysis and process optimization.

Skills

Numeracy & literacy

Independent work

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

BSc in a Science/Engineering field

Further qualifications or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

Job description

Location: Bristol, UK (On-site full time)

Position: Full Time (37.5 hours/week)

Date: Closing date for application is 28th September 2026 unless the role is filled earlier.

Salary: £28,000-32,000

Expected start date: ASAP

Our client is a Bristol-based chemistry company specialising in the design and synthesis of highly selective binding molecules for use in cutting-edge sensors across hospitals, medical devices, bioprocessing, and industrial applications. Their mission is simple: to help people with diabetes and other conditions live longer, more comfortable lives by improving real time monitoring of key analytes such as glucose.

Built on over 20 years of pioneering academic research, their proprietary glucose‑binding molecule technology underpins a glucose sensing platform capable of delivering a market‑leading Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). The same core technology, developed through an earlier venture, was acquired by a major global pharmaceutical company to support the development of smart insulins. They have since expanded into a broader analyte portfolio including potassium, lactate, pH, CO₂, and calcium, building toward the most comprehensive continuously monitored sensor array for medical use.

About the role

Our client is looking for a motivated, hands‑on candidate to assist their science and operations teams, supporting the R&D and day‑to‑day running of their research facility. They’re looking for someone who has experience of working in a science or industrial laboratory, maintenance of instrumentation/equipment, as well as working to a high standard of organisation and documentation. You’ll work alongside a team of talented scientists, keeping the facility running to a high standard, and supporting the team where possible.

Our Ecosystem

Our client is based at a leading Bristol scientific incubator and innovation ecosystem. They are a growing company at the frontier of glucose sensing and health technology and can offer the successful candidate an interesting and enjoyable work environment with a highly motivated team of scientists plus an opportunity to grow and develop skills and experience.

Job requirements

Essential qualifications:

• BSc in an appropriate field (e.g. Sciences or engineering).
• Further qualifications or equivalent experience (e.g. in an academic/industrial laboratory).

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Excellent numeracy, literacy, and computer skills.
• Proficiency in key MS Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Ability to work independently with good problem‑solving skills.
• Significant experience of working in a practical laboratory in academia and/or industry and adhering to standard laboratory workplace practices such as health and safety protocols.
• Experience with generating and maintaining relevant documentation (e.g. SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments, instrumentation manuals or service records) necessary for the laboratories, relevant equipment and associated users.

Desirable (candidates not expected to have experience in all these areas):

• Experience with maintaining and usage of Quality Management Systems (QMS) or working to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Creation or usage of supporting documentation and tracking that procedures are being followed.
• Experience with QC testing of samples and processes (e.g. routine characterisation of incoming reagents and standards).
• Experience with routine maintenance and calibration of instrumentation/equipment.
• Experience with using and maintaining fluidic or microfluidic systems.
• Experience in preparation and routine quality control of standard solutions, buffers and reagents.
• Experience with preparation of chemical formulations and emulsions.
• Experience with hydrogels and thin film coating.
• Experience with 3D printing, mechanical/electronic engineering, or photonics.
• Computer and/or data science skills (i.e. knowledge of Python or other programming languages).
• Experience of analytical chemistry, fluorescence detection and biophysical techniques.

Roles and Responsibilities

Core:

• General facility housekeeping duties.
• Manage, track and maintain stock levels of key consumables and liaise with the science team on current and future requirements (e.g. ordering new consumables, equipment, instrumentation etc).
• Maintain facilities, equipment and instrumentation for the team in line with laboratory demand planning. Where appropriate, training will be provided for routine maintenance.
• Act as contact point with external suppliers for equipment servicing, troubleshooting and procurement.
• Assist the science team with their research to streamline and increase efficiency where possible (e.g. analytical method development, optimisation of certain processes, routine data analysis).

Additional:

• Maintain an excellent safety culture by timely reporting of all safety incidents and learning events.
• Execute an experimental work plan, drawing on input/advice from the rest of the team.
• Document and timely reporting of all experimental work using established electronic lab book protocols.
• Assist the team to ensure procedures are developed and kept up to date.
• Build strong, positive working relationships with team members.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement by developing ideas to improve personnel safety, environmental aspects and process improvement.

Eligibility and Expectations

• In order to qualify for this position, the candidate will need to be authorised to live and work in the UK.
• The candidate must have respect for others and a commitment and enthusiasm for high standards and continuous improvement.
• Our client values diversity. They are an equal opportunities employer and welcome employees who meet the requirements of the job regardless of gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation.