Lab Technician

Actalent; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is hiring an Overnight Lab Technician for a high-volume production laboratory in Des Moines, IA. The role focuses on preparing and analyzing samples using established methods, operating core lab equipment, and adhering to quality, regulatory, and safety standards.

The 90-day contract role runs on the third shift from 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, with potential flexibility to add Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or another closely related scientific field is strongly preferred.
• Candidates without a bachelor’s degree must have a high school diploma and previous laboratory experience.
• Previous work in a production lab or high-throughput testing environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Understand and follow Quality System documents (Quality Manual, SOPs, analytical methods).
• Adhere to quality measures meeting ISO/IEC, cGMP, GLP, and internal quality requirements.
• Comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations and maintain a clean, safe lab environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in at least one core analytical method and perform at least one additional method with limited supervision.
• Operate laboratory equipment safely and accurately.
• Set up batches of samples, including labeling and preparation for weighing and analysis.
• Weigh samples accurately according to method and quality requirements.
• Perform timely and accurate analysis to meet customer commitments and turnaround times.
• Prepare samples using wet chemistry, microbiology, or other relevant techniques.
• Apply analytical methods and instruments (e.g., HPLC) as required.
• Perform data reduction and basic analysis, ensuring accurate results.
• Support QA/QC by following procedures and documenting work clearly.
• Collaborate with colleagues to manage high sample volumes and ensure smooth workflow across labs.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory supplies and report issues promptly.

Skills

Overnight shift

Attention to detail

Analytical testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Overnight Lab Technician Job Description The Lab Technician plays a key role in delivering accurate and timely analytical testing in a fast-paced production laboratory environment. This position focuses on preparing and analyzing samples using established methods, operating core laboratory equipment, and strictly following quality, regulatory, and safety standards. The role requires strong attention to detail, proficiency in at least one core analytical method, and the ability to support high-volume testing while maintaining a clean and safe work area.

Responsibilities

• Understand and follow all relevant Quality System documents, including the Quality Manual, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and analytical methods.
• Adhere to quality measures that meet or exceed ISO/IEC standards, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and internal quality requirements related to assigned duties.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental regulations associated with analytical work, and actively contribute to maintaining a clean, safe, and organized laboratory environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in at least one core analytical method and perform at least one additional assigned method with no more than 25% supervision.
• Operate all required basic laboratory equipment within the department safely and accurately.
• Set up batches of samples, including organizing, labeling, and preparing them for weighing and analysis.
• Weigh samples accurately according to method and quality requirements.
• Perform timely and accurate analysis of samples to meet customer commitments and turnaround times.
• Prepare samples for analysis using appropriate wet chemistry, microbiology, or other relevant techniques.
• Apply appropriate analytical methods and techniques, including the use of HPLC and other laboratory instruments as required.
• Perform data reduction and basic data analysis, ensuring that results are recorded accurately and in accordance with quality standards.
• Support quality control and quality assurance activities by following established procedures and documenting work clearly and completely.
• Collaborate with laboratory colleagues to manage high sample volumes and ensure smooth workflow across multiple labs.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory supplies and readiness by reporting equipment or material issues promptly.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or another closely related scientific field is strongly preferred.
• Candidates without a bachelors degree must have a high school diploma and previous laboratory experience.
• Previous work in a production lab or high-throughput testing environment is advantageous.
• Ability to work overnight (third shift) consistently and maintain focus during extended periods of analytical work.

Work Environment This role is based in a large, high-volume laboratory facility that houses multiple labs and performs nutritional testing for clients across a range of industries. The environment is a production lab, which is fast-paced and focused on meeting strict turnaround times and quality standards. The position is offered as a 90-day contract role on the third shift, typically running from 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, with potential flexibility to work Monday through Friday if needed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.30 - $21.70/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.

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.