Laboratory Operations Assistant

Actalent; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; 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

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Laboratory Operations Assistant in Piscataway, NJ to support a fast-paced pharmaceutical QC lab. You will clean glassware, manage waste, and aid in inventory control while ensuring compliance with safety procedures.

The role offers first-shift hours, potential for overtime, and a collaborative team environment. The position requires a High School Diploma or GED (AS degree preferred) and 1–2 years in a lab setting, with basic chemistry knowledge and strong organizational

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; AS degree preferred.
• 1–2 years laboratory experience in pharma/chemistry is preferred.
• Basic chemistry knowledge and inventory management experience.
• Ability to read/write English and follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Clean laboratory glassware using automated machines and scrubbers and store properly.
• Clean floors and benches to maintain a safe work area.
• Dispose of waste per procedures and maintain waste containers.
• Ensure supplies are stocked daily and FIFO is used.
• Log material receipts and help maintain inventory levels.
• Occasionally place orders for supplies as needed.
• Support microbiology activities including autoclave cycles and decontamination.
• Follow written and verbal procedures to meet safety and quality standards.
• Assist laboratory management with other operational tasks.

Skills

Glassware handling

Inventory management

English proficiency

Basic math

Computer skills

Flexible schedules

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate of Science degree preferred

Tools

Autoclave

Automated cleaning machines

Inventory logbook software

Job description

Job Title: Laboratory Operations AssistantJob Description

The Laboratory Operations Assistant supports a busy quality control laboratory by maintaining a clean, safe, and well-organized environment. This role focuses on cleaning and handling laboratory glassware, managing waste and decontamination processes, and helping to maintain inventory and supplies. It is an excellent opportunity for someone with a foundational background in science or chemistry who wants to gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced pharmaceutical laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Continuously clean laboratory glassware using automated cleaning machines and scrubbers as needed, and organize and store cleaned glassware in appropriate storage cabinets or designated areas.

• Clean laboratory floors and benches on a regular basis to maintain a safe and orderly work area.

• Remove garbage from the laboratory area promptly and discard laboratory-generated waste into designated waste collection containers in accordance with established procedures.

• Ensure laboratory supplies are stocked daily and arrange incoming items in their designated locations to support First In, First Out (FIFO) usage.

• Help maintain optimal laboratory inventory levels by receiving shipments and accurately logging materials in the material receiving logbook.

• Occasionally place orders for laboratory supplies when requested or when inventory levels require replenishment.

• Support microbiology activities by gathering post‑testing reject samples for decontamination, running autoclave cycles for sterilization and decontamination, washing decontaminated glassware, organizing cleaned glassware for drying, and returning dried glassware to its proper storage locations.

• Follow written and verbal procedures and instructions to ensure compliance with laboratory protocols and safety requirements.

• Perform any other duties as requested by laboratory management to support overall laboratory operations and the quality control team.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Associate of Science degree or a degree in a technically related field is preferred.
• background in chemistry or a chemistry‑related field is strongly preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience working in a laboratory, preferably in a food, drug, or chemical laboratory, is required.
• Basic understanding of chemistry, samples, raw materials, and pharmaceutical laboratory practices.
• Inventory management experience, including organizing, stocking, and tracking laboratory supplies.
• Hands‑on experience washing and handling glassware in a laboratory setting.
• Computer skills sufficient to log materials, track inventory, and follow electronic procedures.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English at a level that supports understanding laboratory terminology and instructions.
• Good communication skills with the ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal procedures or instructions.
• Basic math skills at an intermediate level to support inventory and measurement‑related tasks.
• Ability to work flexible schedules and perform overtime as needed to support laboratory operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is preferred as an educational baseline.
• Less than one year of experience in pharmaceutical or cleaning environments is preferred for entry‑level candidates who are eager to learn.
• Comfort working with laboratory equipment such as cleaning machines, scrubbers, and autoclaves.
• Ability to handle repetitive tasks while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Strong organizational skills to manage glassware, supplies, and inventory in a structured manner.
• Reliability and willingness to support the broader quality control team with various operational tasks.
• Interest in developing skills in a pharmaceutical laboratory environment that includes exposure to multiple dosage forms such as solids, semi‑solids, liquids, suspensions, thermal products, inhalation products, and injectables.

Work Environment

This role is based in a fast‑paced generic pharmaceutical quality control laboratory, working on a first shift schedule from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position requires flexibility to work occasional weekends and stay late when needed to support testing and operational demands. The Laboratory Operations Assistant will work as part of a quality control team of roughly 15–20 people in an environment that emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and adherence to established procedures. The laboratory uses a wide range of technologies and dosage forms, including solid, semi‑solid, liquid, suspension, thermal, inhalation, and injectable products, offering broad exposure and a strong training program. The setting is professional, structured, and highly regulated, with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and collaboration.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of PISCATAWAY, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $19.00/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 PISCATAWAY,NJ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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.