Temporary Technical/Laboratory Assistant

DustScanAQ; Witney; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist environmental consultancy is offering a Temporary Technical/Laboratory Assistant role in Witney. Responsibilities include office tasks such as data entry and customer service, alongside laboratory sample processing. Candidates should have good attention to detail, basic lab experience is a plus, and there is potential for the role to become permanent. Benefits include a competitive salary and 25 days annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private health insurance

EOB profit shares

Qualifications

• Preferably at least one year’s relevant work experience in office or laboratory.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• UK permit to work required.

Responsibilities

• Handle telephone enquiries and database entry for client’s dust sample information.
• Assist in laboratory dust sample processing using vacuum filtration methods.
• Opportunity to assist with equipment assembly and order preparation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service skills

Computer literacy

Education

Good secondary education

BSc Environmental Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Basic laboratory equipment

Job description

Temporary Technical/Laboratory Assistant

DustScanAQ is pleased to offer the position of Temporary Technical/Laboratory Assistant. This fixed term temporary contract (Maternity cover) involves both office-based support and laboratory work.

Office-based responsibilities include handling telephone enquiries and providing cover for database entry of our client’s dust sample information, computer-based sample analysis and reporting. There is an option to be involved in sales, responding to email enquiries and preparing quotations. Laboratory work will mainly include dust sample processing using vacuum filtration methods and filter weighing. There is also the opportunity to assist with equipment assembly and order preparation. Full training will be provided. Applicants should be computer literate and ideally have some basic laboratory experience. The successful applicant may be required to assist in other areas of the business as required, such as more detailed analysis and reporting including microscopy. The ideal candidate will be organized, have good attention to detail and be able to work on their own initiative as well as part of our team. As a small, specialist environmental consultancy, we value individuals who develop an interest in all aspects of our business and understand the spirit and responsibility of employee-ownership.

There is potential for this role to become permanent after the fixed-term contract. Permanent employees become equal co-owners of our business after their probationary period, and eligible for profit shares and other benefits.

Requirements

• Education and Experience
  • Good secondary education. A relevant undergraduate degree such as BSc Environmental Science would be desirable but not essential.
  • Preferably at least one year’s relevant work experience, such as office-based data entry and/or laboratory work.
• Language and Technical Skills
  • Good command of written and spoken English
  • Customer service skills (friendly and courteous telephone manner)
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Excel applications
  • Preferably experience of using basic laboratory equipment such as weighing balances and glassware
  • Attention to detail is essential
• Other
  • UK permit to work

Benefits

• Joining a growing Employee-Owned Business (EOB) with a good learning environment
• Working within a small, friendly team, with opportunities to get involved in other areas of the business
• Competitive salary with 7% employer pension contributions
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – 3 to be taken between Christmas and New Year

Should the position be made permanent following the 12-month contract, full-time employees also receive the following benefits:

• Private health insurance, dental care and EOB profit shares when eligible and subject to business performance
• Support to join professional bodies, such as the Institution of Environmental Science (IES) and Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM)
• Octopus EV company car scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Company away days

Contract: Temporary 12-month contract (Maternity cover)

Hours: Full-time, typically 09:00 - 17:00 (Mon-Fri)

Start Date: January 2026