Lab Technician - Entry Level

Actalent; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician for our fast-paced food and environmental testing laboratory in Lancaster, PA. This contract-to-hire role focuses on sample preparation, media prep, plating, and strict SOP adherence to meet turnaround times.

You will document work meticulously, maintain GMP and safety standards, and collaborate with a production-driven team in a high-volume setting, often standing for long shifts with overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience with sample preparation in a laboratory, food processing, or similar operational environment.
• Ability to follow SOPs precisely and consistently in daily work.
• Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting, plating, and aseptic technique.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
• Dependability and reliability in meeting schedule, workload, and quality expectations.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks throughout the shift.
• Comfort working in a food and environmental testing laboratory with strict quality and safety requirements.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including overtime when needed.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills in a collaborative, production-oriented environment.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn and follow established procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures and standards.
• Perform sample preparation activities following all relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Prepare media and other laboratory materials required for microbiological testing.
• Plate samples for microbiological analysis using proper aseptic technique.
• Accurately document all work completed, including sample handling, preparation steps, and test activities.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas throughout the shift.
• Follow GMP, laboratory safety protocols, and quality procedures at all times.
• Support laboratory operations to ensure testing turnaround times and productivity goals are met.
• Handle repetitive laboratory tasks with consistent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with team members in a high-volume environment to manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Adhere to all SOPs and quality standards when working with food and environmental samples.
• Assist with general laboratory duties as needed to maintain smooth daily operations.

Skills

Sample preparation

Follow SOPs

Pipetting

Aseptic technique

Attention to detail

Quality and safety

Overtime flexibility

Teamwork

Dependability

Stand for long periods

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Environmental Science, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Lab Technician

The Lab Technician supports a fast-paced food and environmental testing laboratory by preparing samples, media, and materials for microbiological analysis while strictly following standard operating procedures, quality standards, and safety guidelines. This role focuses on accurate sample handling, documentation, and laboratory support activities to help ensure turnaround times are consistently met.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures and standards.
• Perform sample preparation activities following all relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Prepare media and other laboratory materials required for microbiological testing.
• Plate samples for microbiological analysis using proper aseptic technique.
• Accurately document all work completed, including sample handling, preparation steps, and test activities.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas throughout the shift.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), laboratory safety protocols, and quality procedures at all times.
• Support overall laboratory operations to ensure testing turnaround times and productivity goals are met.
• Handle repetitive laboratory tasks with consistent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with team members in a high-volume environment to manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Stand for extended periods while performing sample preparation, plating, media preparation, and other laboratory support activities.
• Adhere to all SOPs and quality standards when working with food and environmental samples.
• Assist with general laboratory duties as needed to maintain smooth daily operations.

Essential Skills

• Experience with sample preparation in a laboratory, food processing, or similar operational environment.
• Ability to follow SOPs precisely and consistently in daily work.
• Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting, plating, and aseptic technique.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
• Dependability and reliability in meeting schedule, workload, and quality expectations.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks throughout the shift.
• Comfort working in a food and environmental testing laboratory with strict quality and safety requirements.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including overtime when needed.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills in a collaborative, production-oriented environment.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn and follow established procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred but not required.
• Experience in laboratory, food manufacturing, retail, restaurant, production, warehouse, or other high-volume operational environments is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with food science and food processing environments is an advantage.
• Previous exposure to GMP, laboratory safety practices, and quality procedures is preferred.
• Local availability and ability to reliably commute to the laboratory facility.
• Willingness to work overtime and flexible shifts based on operational needs.
• Comfort working in a structured environment with defined SOPs and performance expectations.

Work Environment

This role is based in a fast-paced food and environmental testing laboratory with a team-oriented culture and high sample volume. Work involves frequent and repetitive laboratory tasks such as sample preparation, plating, media preparation, and general lab support, performed primarily while standing for most of the shift. The environment emphasizes strict adherence to GMP, laboratory safety, and quality procedures. Multiple shift options are available, including MondayFriday and weekend-based schedules, with openings on afternoon and evening shifts (for example, approximately 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 12:30 AM, and 5:00 PM to 1:30 AM). Employees work in a production-style laboratory setting where accuracy, urgency, and teamwork are critical, and overtime may be required to meet testing turnaround times.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lancaster, PA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $19.50/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).

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lancaster,PA.

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.