Cell Culture Technician

Cell Culture Technician I Location

This position is based in our Durham, NC office. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EST. This role requires flexibility, including participation in a rotating on-call schedule (weekdays, weekends, and holidays) and overtime.

• Performance-related bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching plan
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Paid time off (PTO)

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

• Perform isolation of primary human and animal cells from a variety of tissues (e.g., lung, kidney, bone, blood) to support production needs
• Execute core cell culture techniques including screening, feeding, passaging, harvesting, and cryopreservation
• Coordinate daily laboratory operations to ensure workflows are efficient, organized, and aligned with production goals
• Maintain lab readiness by managing schedules, ensuring equipment functionality, and monitoring inventory of materials and supplies
• Prepare media and production materials, and ensure final products are packaged and labeled according to established specifications
• Review batch records and maintain accurate, compliant documentation, including cell-specific logs
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule (including evenings, weekends, and holidays) to support critical production activities
• Support team effectiveness by assisting with training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing when needed
• Adhere strictly to SOPs, safety guidelines, and quality standards in all aspects of work

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or related field, with 2+ years of hands‑on laboratory and cell culture/biology experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Laboratory experience, including working in controlled lab environments and following established protocols and safety procedures
• Technical expertise in aseptic technique and cell culture, including use of pipettes, microscopes, biological safety cabinets, and centrifuges
• Experience working with animal models, including comfort handling rodents
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, or support the development of team members
• Solid understanding of SOP compliance and the importance of maintaining high-quality, reproducible results
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including clear and accurate documentation practices
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with database systems
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving

• A majority of the work is done in a laboratory environment
• Individual is required to wear gown, booties, hair net, gloves, mask, and safety glasses
• Working conditions can include heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.), confined space (small lab areas), repetitive motion (vialing with Wheaton and Eppendorf, pipetting, processing tissue), excessive noise, and chemical hazards including acids, bases, Trypan Blue, DMSO, formalin, PMA SQ, other SQ, etc.
• Individual will be required to be on call and work overtime as needed
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule
• Individual is involved in rotating on-call weekend and weekday/weekday night and holiday schedule

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.