Operations Assistant

Lightcast Discovery Ltd.; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Lightcast Discovery Ltd. seeks an Operations Assistant to be the face of our Cambridge office and manufacturing site. You’ll handle day-to-day operations, support office, lab and manufacturing tasks, onboard staff, and liaise with visitors and suppliers.

The part-time position (0.6FTE) runs 08:00–16:30 Monday to Wednesday onsite. Salary is £31,000–£36,000 pro-rated per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in office administration, operations, or facilities support.
• Strong organisation and time management to handle multiple priorities.
• Accurate, detail-oriented with solid written and verbal communication.
• Team player with willingness to learn and develop.
• Experience in a scientific/biotechnology/manufacturing environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support lab operations tasks including shipping, receiving, waste, and stock management.
• Maintain accurate inventory and shipment records per procedures.
• Implement and improve operational processes for efficiency.
• Procurement of office supplies and food, manage stock levels and costs.
• Monitor facilities tickets and coordinate vendor communications.
• Coordinate daily office operations and onboarding of new staff.
• Support reception with visitors and phone inquiries.
• Ensure health and safety checks and assist audits and clinic schedules.
• Provide general administrative support for operational and scientific tasks.

Skills

Office administration

Operations coordination

Procurement & stock control

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Biotech/manufacturing experience

Job description

At Lightcast we are enabling scientists to gain a deeper understanding of human health and disease at the cellular level.

Our technology enables the direct, precise interrogation of single cell heterogeneity, interactions and functional behaviours with a level of flexibility and scale that was previously inaccessible. Across a broad range of disciplines from basic and translational research to drug discovery, we provide the freedom to accelerate discovery and apply novel biological insights.

About the role

AsLightcast'sOperation's Assistant,you'llbe the heart of our Cambridge Office and Manufacturing site, playing a key role in ensuring our day-to-day operations run smoothly. As the first point of contact for employees,visitorsand suppliers,you'llbe the friendly face of the business while providing vitaladministrativesupport across our office,laband manufacturing functions.This an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes pride in delivering an exceptional experience for colleagues and visitors alike. No two days will be the same, and your organisation, initiative and attention to detail will have real impact across thebusiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Supportlaboratory operationstaskssuch as shipping, receiving, contractor,wasteand stock management


• Maintainaccuraterecords of inventoryandshipments following the standard procedures and operations processes


• Help implement and improve operational processes to increase efficiency within both office and laboratory environments


• Management procurement office supplies and food, maintaining optimal stock levels and cost control


• Actively monitor and respond to facilities and service tickets ensuring timely resolution and minimal disruption to office and laboratory operations


• Coordinate daily office operations, including email management, coffee and food replenishment and vendor communications to ensure efficient workflow


• Assist onboarding new staff by coordinating access, training schedules, and workspace/lab readiness


• Support with visitors and phone in the reception area


• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations by conducting routine checks and supporting audits, inspections and occupational health clinic schedules


• Provide administrative support such as data entry, report preparation, and document control for operational and scientific activities

Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience in an office administration , operations, office coordinator or facilities support role.


• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines


• Strong administrative skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail


• Demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude with a strong willingness to learn and develop


• Works collaboratively with a strong team-oriented attitude, contributing positively to team success


• Confident communicat or with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills


• Experience working within a scientific, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or manufacturing environment


• Knowledge of procurement, stock control or inventory management process


• Works collaboratively with a strong team-oriented attitude, contributing positively to team success

This part time (0.6FTE) role is required to work 08:00-16:30 Monday to Wednesday, onsite at our Cambridge Headquarters.

The expected salary range for this role is £ 31,000- £36,000 (pro-rated) per annum, depending on skills and experience.

• Collaboration :Works effectively with multidisciplinary teams to support the development of solutions. Contributes constructivelyinteam settings and shares knowledge to support colleagues’ effectiveness.


• Innovation :Delivers practical, high-quality technical solutions andidentifiesopportunities to improve processes, designs, and ways of working within own area.


• Unity :Aligningpersonal work with team and company goals, following agreedstandardsand helping ensure outputs meet customer requirements.


• Adaptability :Responds positively to changing priorities, applying pragmatic problem-solving tomaintainprogress. Participates in open discussion and supports agreed decisions.

Lightcast Discovery is committed to equal employment opportunity.