Research Associate/Lab Assistant

Actalent; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Pre-tax and Roth post-tax options

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Research Associate / Lab Assistant to support a growing tissue culture team in a highly collaborative lab. Responsibilities include mammalian cell culture, tissue culture techniques, and cell-based assays to drive cross-functional projects while ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.

The role involves maintaining equipment, recording data, and contributing to team objectives in a fast-paced onsite Durham lab.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Medical Technology or relevant vocational training.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and routine cell culture techniques.
• GCP experience.
• Strong data recording and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine mammalian cell culture and tissue culture techniques.
• Execute cell-based assays, including microneutralization assays.
• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and clean laboratory equipment.
• Analyze and document experimental results with compliance to specs.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Tissue culture

Cell-based assays

GCP experience

Data recording

Communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Lab techniques

Quality control

Biochemistry

Accessioning

Biology

Education

Associate degree in Medical Technology or relevant vocational training

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Job description

Job Title: Research Associate / Lab Assistant

Job Description

The Research Associate / Lab Assistant will perform routine mammalian cell culture and tissue culture techniques, execute cell-based assays, and support a growing tissue culture team in a highly collaborative laboratory environment. This role focuses on accurate experimental execution, data integrity, and regulatory compliance while contributing to cross-functional projects and laboratory objectives.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine mammalian cell culture and tissue culture techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Execute cell-based assays, including microneutralization assays, to support ongoing research and testing activities.
• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and clean laboratory equipment to ensure reliable and accurate operation.
• Analyze and document experimental results to ensure compliance with established specifications and quality standards.
• Gather, record, and report laboratory data using charts, graphs, and written summaries.
• Obtain, cultivate, isolate, and identify microorganisms for analysis when required.
• Conduct laboratory testing and sample processing while maintaining data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate records and enter findings into laboratory information systems in a timely and organized manner.
• Support testing efforts involving approximately 44 samples twice weekly, for a total of about 88 samples per week.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project timelines and laboratory objectives.
• Apply quality control principles to ensure consistency and reliability of laboratory results.
• Contribute to a team-focused, highly collaborative culture and support the growth of the tissue culture/cell culture team.

Essential Skills

• 34+ years of hands-on tissue culture and mammalian cell culture experience.
• Experience performing cell-based assays, including microneutralization assays.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) experience.
• Strong documentation and data recording skills with attention to detail and data integrity.
• Ability to learn quickly and contribute with minimal ramp-up time.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organization skills to manage multiple samples and tasks efficiently.
• Effective problem-solving abilities in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a team environment.
• Practical experience in laboratory, accessioning, biology, cell culture, assay work, quality control, and biochemistry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in Medical Technology or relevant vocational training.
• Experience in clinical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences laboratory environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques used to diagnose and investigate human diseases.
• Familiarity with laboratory data presentation using charts, graphs, and written summaries.
• Comfort working in a flexible matrix environment with evolving priorities.
• Interest in supporting a rapidly growing tissue culture and cell culture team.

Work Environment

This is an onsite laboratory position working Monday through Friday. Preferred hours are 7:00 AM–3:00 PM or 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, with a preference for candidates who can start before 9:00 AM. You will join an approximately 10-person tissue culture/cell culture team in a team-focused, highly collaborative culture. The environment is a flexible matrix setting that offers opportunities for growth and development while supporting a rapidly expanding tissue culture team.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Durham, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $29.09 - $29.09/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 Oct 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Durham, NC.

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.