Laboratory Assistant

Axle; Hamilton (MT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

PTO & Holidays

401K match

Educational benefits

Employee referral bonus

FSA accounts

Job summary

Axle is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join the NIH/NIAID lab in Hamilton, MT. You will perform daily maintenance of lab equipment, manage glassware, and support the Media Lab with administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations.

The role requires a related bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in a laboratory setting, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Experience in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate lab equipment (wash machine, oven, autoclave).
• Perform glassware cleaning and sterilization to standard QA.
• Assist Media Lab with glassware needs and admin tasks.

Skills

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

(ID: 2026-3313)

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision‑making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) located in Hamilton, MT.

Benefits We Offer:

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Information:

To provide services and deliverables through performance of support services.

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience.

Field of Study

• Miscellaneous Biology

Software

• Microsoft Office

Skills

• Experience working in a complex, demanding and faced paced dynamic work environment.

Deliverables:

• Work products and documents related to ensuring proper operation and daily maintenance of all equipment (wash machine, oven, autoclave). - Daily
• Work products and documents related to performing visual inspections and adhering to quality assurance plan for glassware procedures. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to assisting the Media Lab with glassware needs and administrative tasks as needed. - Daily

Statement of Work Details:

• Segregate clean, process and return cleaned items to designated “pickup shelves” or to stock shelves. - 1
• Order and stock standard laboratory glassware and associated supplies. - 2
• Clean and sterilize glassware, plasticware and hand instruments as appropriate. - 3
• Provides laboratory experience needed to order, maintain and sterilize commonly used laboratory supplies.
• Prepares instruments, linens and other necessary lab equipment for use and decontaminates biohazardous waste.
• Keep admin staff updated on issues and problems pertaining to glassware procedures and needed repairs to equipment.
• Communicate with the lab staff daily to ensure their needs are being met.
• Maintains and cleans laboratory.
• Maintain adequate levels of glassware items for laboratories.
• Ensure adequate supplies for operation are kept on hand to maintain operation.
• Properly prepare cleaned glassware to ensure sterility for lab personnel (i.e. plug pipettes as appropriate).
• Perform QC for each item washed to check for residue, cracks or other imperfections; assisting with discarding any items that are no longer able to meet laboratory standards.
• Collects receiving and packing slips and tracks supply orders.
• Utilize AMBIS system to order supplies for glassware operation.
• Maintain detailed daily reports on items washed; transfer handwritten logs to excel spreadsheet and provide monthly to Government representative.
• Pick up dirty glassware from Media Laboratory and Building 28.
• Learns and performs basic techniques and procedures.
• Conduct analytical QA/QC Testing of clean glassware, including utilize laboratory Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer to test for residual levels of alkaline detergent on clean glassware; utilize conductivity instrument to measure washer rinse samples to test for acid detergent residual and inorganic lab contaminants in last rinse; perform routine maintenance of TOC analyzer including persulfate oxidation reagent replenishment, UV bulb maintenance and periodic calibration using calibration standards.
• Operates commonly used equipment, inspects for proper operation and performs minor maintenance; update staff on equipment problems and update staff on any and all issues and requirements.
• Assist the Media laboratory personnel with cleaning, organizing and other administrative tasks; clean and set up biosafety cabinet for use to prepare sterile media; acquire and organize necessary glassware to dispense the day’s media orders; prepare sterile water; bag and label completed agar plates for customer pick up. Collects and prepares samples for use.
• Assist Media Lab prepare various media including weighing and mixing ingredients; use the pH meter to adjust pH of media; dispense media into glassware and/or pour agar plates; access Media Lab database to check for new media orders and process completed.
• Assists research and laboratory staff prepare for and conduct experiments.
• Maintain a supply center located in the clean glassware storage room, including monitor temperatures of refrigerator and freezer, stock supply center and ensure reagents are stored at proper temperatures, charge labs for items taken from supply center; maintain inventory and keep record of item usage for future orders of supplies.

Disclaimer:

The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [e-mail]

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

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