Laboratory Assistant

About the company

The Tiny Cargo Company’s mission is to unlock the healing power of milk‑derived exosomes. We are building a new frontier in targeted drug delivery through proprietary IP in exosome isolation, loading, and drug development, and we commercialize pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical‑grade exosomes to fund our scaling efforts. Based in Roanoke, we are a small, fast‑moving team where early hires shape the company’s long‑term operations, gaining real ownership, trust, and impact.

About the role

The Laboratory Assistant keeps the lab running so our scientists can focus on the science. You will prepare materials, manage samples and inventory, and provide hands‑on analytical support across quality control, drug loading, and stability work. The role progresses from non‑regulated support toward broader responsibility as you build documented training and qualification, reporting to the Quality Control Scientist and R&D Scientist.

Responsibilities

• Prepare buffers, media, reagents, and standard solutions to specification; label and log them correctly.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain glassware and labware.
• Tune and maintain lab equipment (plate reader, NTA, Zetasizer) ahead of scheduled testing.
• Set up equipment and workstations before scheduled testing and study work.
• Receive, log, label, and store incoming samples; maintain chain of custody.
• Manage retained samples and reference standards under defined storage conditions.
• Enter data into laboratory records and systems accurately and contemporaneously.
• Own the lab’s inventory and ordering database; flag reorder points and rotate stock to use older chemicals first.
• Code purchases correctly as research and development, cost of goods, or grant‑funded expenses.
• Receive and stage lab deliveries, verifying them against order documentation.
• Maintain lab cleanliness, waste segregation, and safety compliance.
• Assist with routine analytical testing under direct supervision (NTA, Zetasizer, dye loading, drug loading, TEM, confocal microscopy, plate reader work).
• Run core assays when necessary, including QC, drug loading, or stability programs.
• Support stability pulls, sample preparation, and study execution as directed.
• Complete assigned training modules and maintain current qualification records.

Requirements

• Real hands‑on lab experience with at least a semester of wet‑lab work (coursework or prior work) in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or bioengineering.
• Comfort with, or exposure to, aseptic or sterile technique and cell culture.
• Ability to operate with precision and reliability; take accuracy and consistency seriously.
• Willingness to follow written procedures exactly, especially where work touches regulated data.
• Reliability and punctuality; scientists depend on you to deliver on schedule.
• Good judgment; ability to notice and act on issues such as mislabeled samples or low reagents.
• Fit with either a two‑year degree plus bench time or a four‑year degree.

Preferred qualifications

• Prior experience with exosomes, nanoparticles, or liposomes.
• Engineering background or mindset, even without a bio‑specific degree.
• Exposure to a regulated laboratory environment.
• Growth‑mindset, seeking increased responsibility and opportunity over time.
• Familiarity with quality management or laboratory information management systems.
• Interest in progressing into a technician or scientist role.

Benefits

• Health insurance stipend or policy.
• Standard federal holidays, paid time off, and sick leave.
• Workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
• Reimbursement for work‑related expenses.