Materials Technican

Avantor; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a detail‑oriented logistics and sample management assistant to support day‑to‑day lab operations. The role involves coordinating shipments, managing internal sample tracking for DLIMS submissions, and owning cold‑storage inventories with routine disposal activities.

You will liaise with DS scientists, SDU, and internal teams to optimize processes, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with standards. This position requires team collaboration and strong IT skills.

Qualifications

• Educated to HND or BSc in Life Science or related field.
• Enthusiastic, flexible and willing to learn.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• Proven customer service focus and collaborative ability.
• Good time management and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of Avantor Services team interactions.
• Proficient IT skills (Word/Excel).
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate shipment of DS materials and manage paperwork to prevent delays.
• Oversee DS internal sample tracking and management for DLIMS submissions.
• Take ownership of cold-storage inventories and stock management.
• Serve as primary contact for DS scientists regarding shipping systems and storage workflows.

Skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Time management

Problem solving

IT skills

Good Laboratory Standards

Education

HND or BSc Life Science

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

The Opportunity: Executes day-to-day lab operations & support objectives at customer facilities, following a defined standard output or set of procedures, focused on minimizing laboratory workflow interruptions. Problems and issues faced are generally recurring and solutions are typically known and/or prescribed. More complex problems are solved by applying methods learned through experience and/or using available support. Activities may include PPE and/or safety station checks and maintenance, reviewing defibrillators, extinguishers and dispensing areas to confirm working order, storage, tracking and distribution of chemicals/materials ensuring accurate inventory control, and hazardous waste collection and recycling. Collects, documents, and organizes data and observations. Communicates activity records, service level metrics and other information requiring some explanation or interpretation to team members, supervisors or customers.

Key tasks & Responsibilities

• Shipment Coordination and logistics
  • Coordinate shipment of DS materials, including: Plasmid DNA Control mAbs Non-GLP- and GLP tox lots CLD cell lines PPS bulk material Analytical samples for assays not performed in Cambridge (HCP, DNA, ProA, ISF, Bioassay, Density).pdf) Other raw materials and experimentally derived samples as required
  • Prepare and manage all required shipment paperwork, ensuring accuracy to prevent customs delays.
  • Act as main liaison with: Sample Dispatch Unit (SDU) Internal DS scientists Manage SDU/customs follow up‑ queries to ensure uninterrupted sample flow and prevent project delays. Monitor and coordinate complex or international shipments to minimize customs holds.
• Internal Sample and Material Management Oversee DS internal sample tracking and management for DLIMS submissions. Support aliquoting and labelling activities and ensure samples are appropriately prepared for dispatch. Maintain alignment with internal standards for sample management and documentation
• Cold-storage Inventory Ownership Take full ownership of departmental freezer inventories (−80°C, −20°C, +4°C), including: Receiving new materials into inventory Fulfilling material requests and supporting routine disposal activities Conducting stock management and tracking usage Supporting routine freezer cleaning Ensure compliance with all standards for cold/ultra-cold storage and inventory integrity
• System Support and Cross Functional Communication Serve as the primary contact for DS scientists regarding Avantor shipping systems and storage workflows. Troubleshoot issues and elevate when necessary to improve the shipping process. Collaborate with DS scientists, Avantor, and SDU on process improvements

Skills, Knowledge & competencies

• Educated to HND or BSc in a Life Science or associated area. An understanding of protein structure would be advantageous.
• Enthusiastic, flexible and willing to learn.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Outstanding communication skills on all levels and problem-solving capabilities with the confidence to react promptly to deliver the best service possible.
• Good organisational and planning skills.
• Proven excellent customer service focus and ability to work collaboratively.
• Good time management skills, ability to flex and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• An understanding of how the Avantor Services team interacts internally and externally within the organisation and how they contribute to the objectives of the business.
• Sound IT skills (including Microsoft Word/ Excel).
• Knowledge and understanding of Good Laboratory Standards.

Offer This opportunity

Offer This opportunity not only offers the chance to work in a dynamic growing R&D team but also in a company that is looking to develop candidates in specific areas of the business. These positions offer a competitive salary and benefits package, with a flexible approach to work in line with your qualifications and experience.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

EEO Statement: We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.