Lab Operations Associate

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive, verify, and document incoming laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment.
• Maintain accurate stock records in an information management system and flag low inventory before shortages occur.
• Properly store temperature-sensitive materials and safely handle hazardous goods, dry ice, and liquid.
• Assist with the preparation of sterile media and agar plates as needed. Maintain records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Assist with freezer defrosting and maintenance, biosafety cabinet and incubator cleaning and decontamination, preventive maintenance scheduling, and calibrations.
• Assist with routine maintenance such as consolidating waste, glassware management, and general upkeep of shared lab and breakroom spaces.
• Serve as the first point of contact for infrastructure or utility issues and monitor freezer/refrigerator temperature alerts to minimize downtime.
• Perform routine lab walkthroughs and hazard checks to ensure the facility meets health and safety guidelines.
• Communicate and coordinate between building management, internal staff, and external contractors.
• Safely collect, manage, and dispose of laboratory waste as needed in accordance with local, state, and federal compliance rules.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A high school diploma/GED is required; an associate or bachelor's degree in a scientific or business field is a plus.
• Ability to stand for long shifts and frequently lift heavy boxes (often up to 50 lbs.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a life sciences lab, warehouse, or facilities management is highly valued.
• Previous experience using an autoclave.
• Management of manual defrost cycles for -80°C and -20°C freezers.
• Experience with monitoring liquid nitrogen (LN2) levels in the tank and inspecting vacuum-jacketed piping for frost/leaks.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), inventory databases, and MS Office is a plus.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Laboratory Operations
• Laboratory Supply Inventory
• Inventory Management
• Shipping and Receiving
• Material Handling
• Reagent and Equipment Handling
• Temperature-Sensitive Materials
• Hazardous Materials
• Dry Ice
• Liquid Nitrogen
• Sterile Media Preparation
• Agar Plate Preparation
• Autoclave Operation
• LIMS
• Equipment Maintenance
• Preventive Maintenance
• Equipment Calibration
• Freezer Maintenance
• Biosafety Cabinet Decontamination
• Incubator Cleaning
• Laboratory Safety
• EH&S
• Hazard Inspections
• Waste Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Vendor Coordination
• Facilities Support
• Troubleshooting
• MS Office