Lab Technician

Actalent; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician for a food production facility in Cedar Rapids, IA. The role focuses on preparing pure culture yeast, performing microbiological testing, and maintaining lab documentation.

Candidates should have strong microbiology and analytical chemistry skills, with experience in media prep, plating, and pathogen testing. You will work in a GMP environment, handle routine analyses, and ensure accurate data recording and maintenance of equipment.

Qualifications

• Must have hands-on lab experience in microbiology, including media prep, plating and pathogen testing.
• Experience analyzing raw materials, in-process samples and finished products in a food production setting.
• Ability to follow SOPs and maintain detailed lab records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pure culture yeast for fermentations.
• Prepare microbiological media and plate samples.
• Perform microbiological analysis including Salmonella and Listeria testing.
• Conduct chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses on samples.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment and logs.
• Ensure lab area complies with GMP and safety standards.
• Record test results accurately in systems/logs.
• Prepare media for testing and ensure readiness for analyses.
• Complete monthly food-contact surface swabs for sanitation monitoring.
• Cross-check CIP solutions for proper concentrations.
• Participate in proficiency testing to maintain quality standards.

Skills

Microbiology techniques

Media preparation

Pathogen testing

Analytical chemistry

Data recording and interpretation

Equipment maintenance

Attention to SOPs

Independent work in lab

Team coordination

Bachelor’s life science degree

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Science

Tools

HPLC

GC

Risograph

Job description

Lab Technician

Job Description

The Lab Technician supports fermentation and food safety operations by preparing pure culture yeast, performing microbiological and analytical testing, and maintaining laboratory equipment and documentation. This role focuses on accurate preparation of media, pathogen testing, and chemical and physical analysis of raw materials and finished products in a food production environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pure culture yeast for use in fermentations, ensuring quality and consistency for production needs.

• Prepare and make microbiological media and plate samples according to established procedures.

• Perform microbiological analysis of samples, including food pathogen testing for organisms such as Salmonella and Listeria.

• Conduct chemical, physical, and microbiological analysis of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished yeast products.

• Use a Risograph to perform activity tests on various types of dough using different types of yeast and accurately interpret results.

• Maintain laboratory equipment and the general work area, including cleaning and calibration of instruments, keeping detailed maintenance records, and ensuring all equipment functions properly.

• Keep the work area clean, orderly, and compliant with laboratory and food safety standards.

• Calculate and record test results in the appropriate systems or logs in a timely and accurate manner.

• Ensure the processing area is adequately stocked with solutions and media prepared by the laboratory.

• Perform all tests accurately and consistently while strictly following established procedures and protocols.

• Prepare media required for microbiological testing and ensure readiness for routine and special analyses.

• Complete monthly food contact surface swabs in the plant to support sanitation and food safety monitoring.

• Cross-check production department CIP (Clean-In-Place) solutions to verify proper concentrations and effectiveness.

• Participate in bi-annual proficiency tests to demonstrate and maintain testing competency and quality standards.

Essential Skills

• Strong foundation in microbiology, chemistry, biology, food science, or biochemistry.

• Hands-on laboratory experience in microbiological techniques, including media preparation, plating, and pathogen testing.

• Ability to perform food pathogen testing, specifically for Salmonella and Listeria, following established protocols.

• Experience with analytical chemistry methods and instrumentation such as HPLC and GC.

• Ability to conduct chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.

• Competence in accurately calculating, recording, and interpreting laboratory data.

• Skill in maintaining, cleaning, and calibrating laboratory equipment and documenting maintenance activities.

• Capability to follow detailed procedures and standard operating protocols with high attention to accuracy and consistency.

• Ability to work independently in a laboratory setting while coordinating effectively with a small team.

• Bachelors degree in a life science discipline such as Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, or Biochemistry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior laboratory experience in a food, fermentation, or industrial setting is a plus.

• Familiarity with food safety testing and GMP-related laboratory practices.

• Experience with dough and yeast activity testing, including use of specialized equipment such as a Risograph.

• Strong organizational skills for maintaining a clean, orderly, and well-documented lab environment.

• Ability to manage multiple tests and tasks while meeting time-sensitive deadlines.

• Comfort working with CIP solutions and understanding basic sanitation and cleaning validation concepts.

Work Environment

This position is based in a food production laboratory operating on a first shift schedule, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The role is part of a small team of approximately three people on the shift, and the Lab Technician is expected to work fairly independently while collaborating as needed. The engagement is an open-ended contract with no guarantee of conversion to a permanent role. The laboratory is located within a food facility and follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Team members adhere to strict GMP policies, including specific guidelines on personal items and attire, such as restrictions on piercings, food and beverages in the lab, and strong fragrances, as well as appropriate hair restraint and hygiene standards. The environment involves routine use of laboratory instruments and equipment, preparation of chemical and microbiological media, and regular interaction with production areas under established safety and cleanliness protocols.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $22.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical
• dental & vision
• Critical Illness
• Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.