Microbiology Technician

South East Water Limited; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per

Flexible annual leave policy to buy or

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

Job summary

South East Water Limited is seeking a Microbiology Assistant to support analysts with laboratory preparations and analytical tasks in the Microbiology section. You will operate instrumentation in line with the Management System, maintain preparatory equipment, log daily records, and ensure data is entered into the LIMS within set timeframes.

You will prepare reagents and AQCs in accordance with internal procedures, maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping, and participate in internal

Qualifications

• Qualified to A-level or equivalent, or relevant experience.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy, good computer skills.
• Desire to learn and develop in the role.
• Flexible and prepared to take additional duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate instrumentation per the Management System.
• Maintain preparatory equipment and keep daily logs.
• Enter data into LIMS within set timeframes.
• Report quality issues to senior staff and assist across the section.
• Prepare reagents and AQCs in line with internal procedures.
• Maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping.
• Participate in internal audits and ensure compliance.
• Meet deadlines and service level agreements.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Computer literacy

Willingness to learn

Career development

Education

A-level or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Summary

This role supports analysts with laboratory preparations and analytical tasks in the Microbiology section. Responsibilities include operating instrumentation per the Management System, maintaining preparatory equipment, logging daily records, entering data accurately into LIMS within set timeframes, and reporting quality issues to senior staff. You will prepare reagents and AQCs to internal procedures, maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping, participate in compliance audits, and assist across the section. To succeed, you must meet deadlines and SLAs with consistent outputs, prioritize tasks, adapt to operational demands, plan systematically, and understand analytical quality control principles. Strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environmental requirements is essential, alongside a commitment to ongoing skill and career development. Prior knowledge or experience in good laboratory practice is an advantage. Working window of 8-8 with the standard working pattern 10-18:00 (Monday -Thursday) 10.00am to 17:30pm (Friday) based on a 30 minute lunch.

Main responsibilities

• Operate instrumentation in accordance with the Management System.
• Assist with the maintenance and operation of preparatory equipment.
• Help to document information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
• Ensure data is accurately entered into the Laboratory Information Management System within set timeframes.
• Ensure to report and communicate with senior members of staff on any quality issues.
• Assist with the preparation of reagents and AQC's in accordance with company internal procedures.
• Always maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping.
• Participate in the auditing of internal practices to ensure compliance with the management system.
• Contribute to key tasks within the microbiology section.
• Achieve deadlines and service level agreements with consistent outputs.
• Demonstrate task prioritisation and show flexibility to help us meet demand.
• Plan and organise time systematically and demonstrate foresight to perform tasks successfully.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of analytical quality control.
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of Health, Safety and Environmental issues and adhere to the relevant requirements relating to microbiology and the Laboratory.
• Continue to develop knowledge and other laboratory skills as required for the work undertaken and for career development.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified to A-level or an equivalent standard or someone with relevant experience.
• Excellent numeracy, literacy, computer literacy and skills to engage in robust laboratory practice.
• A desire to learn and put into practice what you've learnt.
• Keen to take responsibility for personal and career development to progress to the next level.
• Previous knowledge and/or experience of good laboratory practice.
• Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package

25,948.87

Be you, belong and valued.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse.

We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity.

That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity.

You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

What can you expect from your recruitment?

It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

We supply top-quality drinking water to 2.3 million customers in the southeast of England. Through a network of 9,000 miles of pipe, we deliver 544 million litres of water every day. It's the skill and expertise of our employees that ensures our water meets the highest standards. We make sure we can meet the needs of our customers both now and in the future.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

• Come to work to be safe, valued, and trusted.
• We'll encourage you to create and pursue new opportunities for personal growth.
• A place to be the real you, build deeper connections and enjoy a sense of belonging.
• Be invested in helping us to create a sustainable water supply for now, and in the future.