Lab Support Specialist

The Opportunity

In this role, you will report to the Site Supervisor and will work closely with the Avantor's Lab and Production Services professionals to serve our customers by performing customized, mission-based lab work and research protocols that help return time back to science.

Hourly Rate: $28 - $30

Location:

San Rafael, CA

Shift: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness:
  Medical, Dental, Vision and Wellness programs (eligible for medical coverage on day
  1)
• Time Off:
  Paid Time Off (PTO), Company paid holidays, Choice holidays etc.
• Financial Well Being:
  Spending Accounts:
  Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), commuter benefits, 401(k), tuition assistance, employee stock purchase plan discount
• Added Protection Coverage:
  To include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, legal, identity theft protection, pet, auto and home insurance
• Recognition:
  Celebrate your peers and earn points to redeem on gifts and products

What We're Looking For

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or GED is required;
  Associate's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biotech, or a related field is preferred
• Experience:
  
  1+ year of laboratory, manufacturing, research, or laboratory support experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Collaboration Tool:
  Microsoft Office experience
• Experience with purification and chromatography systems, especially ÄKTA, highly preferred.
• Knowledge of scientific products and services is a plus.
• Effective communication and teamwork in a lab environment
• Laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration
• Buffer and reagent preparation
• Chromatography techniques (column packing, gradient elution, buffer exchange, endotoxin testing)
• Operation and troubleshooting of ÄKTA systems (UNICORN software)
• Ability to lift, move, push, or pull up to 25 pounds with or without accommodation
• Regular use of PPE including safety glasses, lab coats, gloves, and other site-required protective equipment
• Ability to handle laboratory materials, containers, and equipment safely
• Inventory and supply chain management
• Laboratory safety and chemical hygiene
• Data recording and documentation best practices
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills

How You Will Thrive and Create an Impact

Avantor's Lab and Production Services team is a crucial part of the Avantor Services group serving over 500 customers in biopharma, pharmaceutical, educational, industrial, and high-tech industries with customizable, flexible solutions and end-to-end laboratory operations support.

In this role you will:

• Prepare buffers, media, reagents, solvents, and chemical solutions according to approved procedures, scientific protocols, and customer requirements.
• Perform routine laboratory support activities including weighing materials, pH adjustments, conductivity testing, filtrations, dilutions, and solution preparation.
• Support scientific operations by preparing materials, equipment, and laboratory work spaces required for research and development activities.
• Perform routine calibration, verification, cleaning, preventative maintenance, and basic troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, including pH meters, conductivity meters, balances, pipettes, sonicators, peristaltic pumps, and other laboratory instrumentation.
• Execute Clean-in-Place (CIP) procedures, sanitization protocols, preventative maintenance activities, endotoxin testing, and performance verification of AKTA chromatography systems, columns, sample loops, and associated purification equipment.
• Support AKTA system readiness by preparing maintenance solutions, replacing filters and consumable components, performing equipment cleaning, documenting maintenance activities, and escalating equipment issues when necessary.
• Monitor, maintain, label, and replenish laboratory inventories including chemicals, reagents, consumables, glassware, maintenance solutions, and compressed gas cylinders.
• Manage material receipt, storage, distribution, and disposal activities while ensuring compliance with laboratory safety and environmental requirements.
• Utilize electronic inventory, procurement, and laboratory management systems to support purchasing, material tracking, inventory control, and documentation activities.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, logbooks, worksheets, inventory databases, and electronic documentation in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and customer requirements.
• Ensure laboratory readiness through routine housekeeping, glassware processing, equipment organization, stock replenishment, and workspace maintenance.
• Follow all site safety policies, laboratory procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements while promoting a safe and compliant work environment.
• Provide responsive customer service and operational support to scientists, researchers, and laboratory personnel by addressing service requests and supporting laboratory workflows.
• Support special projects, continuous…