Microbiology Lab Technician

Actalent; Westerville (OH); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician in Columbus, OH to prepare and process microbiological samples in a food/quality testing lab. You will perform plating, culturing, and colony counting while maintaining aseptic technique and meticulous documentation in LIMS.

This contract-to-hire role offers a hands-on bench position with room for growth into advanced technical, quality, regulatory, and leadership roles within a strong laboratory team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or associate’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or closely related science field.
• Academic or professional microbiology laboratory experience, including work performed under the supervision of a professor.
• Hands-on experience with plating and culturing microbiological samples.
• Proficiency in aseptic technique to minimize contamination and ensure accurate results.
• Strong attention to detail and organization when handling samples, recording data, and following protocols.
• Good communication skills for effective collaboration and clear documentation.
• Demonstrated interest in building a long-term career in a laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare microbiological samples by accurately weighing, blending, and processing materials according to established protocols.
• Perform plating and culturing of samples using appropriate microbiological methods and techniques.
• Pour agar and prepare media and broth to support various microbiological tests and analyses.
• Conduct colony counting and read plates to identify and quantify microbial growth.
• Incubate samples under specified conditions and monitor tests throughout the incubation period.
• Document test results accurately and completely in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Apply aseptic technique consistently to prevent contamination and ensure reliable test outcomes.
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures and guidelines to maintain a safe working environment.
• Keep the laboratory clean, organized, and well-stocked, including workbenches, equipment, and shared spaces.
• Collaborate with team members to meet testing deadlines and maintain smooth laboratory operations.
• Communicate clearly with colleagues and leadership regarding test status, issues, and observations.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by following standard operating procedures and suggesting process enhancements when appropriate.

Skills

Microbiology lab experience

Plating & culturing

Aseptic technique

Attention to detail

Communication

Career growth mindset

Education

Biology/Microbiology/Chemistry degree

Tools

LIMS

Job description

This lab technician role focuses on preparing and processing microbiological samples in a food/quality testing laboratory as part of a dedicated plating team. You will perform hands-on microbiology techniques, ensure accurate and reliable test results, and maintain high standards of documentation, aseptic technique, and laboratory safety. This position offers a strong foundation for long-term growth in laboratory science, with clear paths into advanced technical, quality, regulatory, and leadership roles.

Pay

$20.00/hr

Schedule During Training

Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM -7:00 PM

Post-Training Schedule

Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM

Responsibilities

• Prepare microbiological samples by accurately weighing, blending, and processing materials according to established protocols.
• Perform plating and culturing of samples using appropriate microbiological methods and techniques.
• Pour agar and prepare media and broth to support various microbiological tests and analyses.
• Conduct colony counting and read plates to identify and quantify microbial growth.
• Incubate samples under specified conditions and monitor tests throughout the incubation period.
• Document test results accurately and completely in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Apply aseptic technique consistently to prevent contamination and ensure reliable test outcomes.
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures and guidelines to maintain a safe working environment.
• Keep the laboratory clean, organized, and well-stocked, including workbenches, equipment, and shared spaces.
• Collaborate with team members to meet testing deadlines and maintain smooth laboratory operations.
• Communicate clearly with colleagues and leadership regarding test status, issues, and observations.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by following standard operating procedures and suggesting process enhancements when appropriate.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's or associate’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related science field.
• Academic or professional microbiology laboratory experience, including work performed under the supervision of a professor.
• Hands-on experience with plating and culturing microbiological samples.
• Basic microbiology knowledge, including understanding of microbial growth and culture techniques.
• Proficiency in aseptic technique to minimize contamination and ensure accurate results.
• Strong attention to detail and organization when handling samples, recording data, and following protocols.
• Good communication skills for effective collaboration and clear documentation.
• Demonstrated interest in building a long-term career in a laboratory environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a food testing or similar regulated laboratory environment is beneficial.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for recording and tracking results.
• Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures and quality guidelines.
• Interest in progressing into Micro Tech I, II, and III roles, technical training, quality/regulatory functions, or laboratory leadership positions.

Work Environment

This role is based in a food testing laboratory environment where you will work with microbiological samples, culture media, and incubation equipment on a daily basis. You will spend most of your time at the bench performing plating, culturing, and sample preparation tasks, as well as working with incubators and other laboratory instruments. The position requires consistent adherence to aseptic technique, laboratory safety practices, and cleanliness standards. Work is structured around laboratory testing schedules and deadlines, and you will collaborate closely with a team-focused plating group. The organization emphasizes internal promotion and career development, providing opportunities to move into advanced technical, training, quality/regulatory, and leadership roles as you gain experience and demonstrate strong performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/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 Columbus,OH. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 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.