Operations Assistant

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

Job summary

Lightcast Discovery in Cambridge is seeking an Operations Assistant to be the friendly face at the Cambridge Headquarters, handling day-to-day office, lab and manufacturing support. This part-time role (0.6FTE) covers 08:00-16:30, Monday to Wednesday, onsite, with responsibilities spanning reception, onboarding, and maintenance of processes.

You will manage shipping, inventory, procurement, health & safety compliance, and data entry, contributing to a smooth, efficient working environment for

Qualifications

• Experience in an office administration, operations, office coordinator or facilities support role.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Positive, can-do attitude with willingness to learn.
• Team-oriented, collaborative approach.
• Confident communicator with good interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory operations tasks such as shipping, receiving, contractor, waste and stock management.
• Maintain accurate records of inventory and shipments.
• Help implement and improve operational processes to increase efficiency.
• Manage procurement of office supplies and food, maintain stock levels and cost control.
• Respond to facilities and service tickets to minimise disruption.
• Coordinate daily office operations including emails, coffee and vendor communications.

Skills

Office administration

Operations coordination

Facilities support

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Customer service

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

Essential:

• Previousexperience in an officeadministration, operations, officecoordinatoror facilities support role.
• Excellent organisational and time managementskills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong administrative skills with a high levelof 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 communicator with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

Desirable:

• Experience working within a scientific, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of procurement, stockcontrolor inventory management process
• Works collaboratively with a strong team-oriented attitude, contributing positively to team success

Thispart time (0.6FTE)roleisrequiredto work 08:00-16:30 Monday to Wednesday,onsite at our CambridgeHeadquarters.

Theexpected salary range for this roleis £31,000-£36,000 (pro-rated)per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Behavioural Expectations

• 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. Learn more about Lightcast Discovery