Laboratory Technician (Chemistry)

Vernalis (R&D) Limited; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research company located in Cambridge is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support drug discovery operations. The role involves maintaining chemical inventories, sample preparation, and adherence to health and safety protocols. Suitable candidates will have laboratory experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including flexible working options and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous pension contributions

Private healthcare cover

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Holiday purchase scheme

Flexitime

Discretionary bonus

Employee assistance programme

Enhanced family leave policies

Qualifications

• Previous technical experience within a laboratory-based environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure essential chemicals and reagents are kept at appropriate levels.
• Safely dispose of hazardous waste in line with regulations.
• Assist with routine steps in sample preparation and assays.
• Maintain inventory of chemical samples and storage locations.
• Accurate weighing of solid compound samples.
• Prepare, pack, and track compound sample shipments.

Skills

Ability to work to tight deadlines

Excellent written and oral communication skills

High attention to detail

Proficient with IT systems like Microsoft Excel and Teams

Job description

Working within our fully equipped research laboratories in Cambridge, our established group of scientists are world leaders in fragment and structure-based drug discovery.

Our scientists develop and apply fragment and structure-based methods to solve problems in drug discovery and have generated cell active lead compounds and development candidates against targets in oncology, neurodegeneration, anti-infectives and inflammation.

The Role

This laboratory-based position plays an integral role in the operational support of laboratories at Vernalis and aids the work of our teams and the smooth running of the associated drug discovery projects. This role will be responsible for conducting a range of standard laboratory-based and stock-taking activities while adhering to the daily hygiene and health and safety protocols of the laboratories.

Key responsibilities

• Ensuring essential chemicals, solvents, reagents and consumables are kept at appropriate levels by diligent stocktaking, ordering and storage
• Safely disposing of hazardous waste in line with government regulations and in-house procedures
• Scientific glassware washing
• Registration and distribution of chemicals
• Assisting with maintenance and inspection of lab equipment
• Assisting with routine steps in sample preparation and assays, as required
• Working and liaising with other Research departments
• Maintaining inventory of chemical samples and storage locations
• Accurate and safe weighing of milligram to gram quantities of solid compound samples
• Preparation of liquid samples for assays and analysis
• Efficient use of sample management systems and informatics tools
• Recording of data and procedural information in an electronic lab notebook
• Preparation, packing, documenting and tracking of compound sample shipments

Experience

Previous technical experience within a laboratory-based environment is desirable

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work to tight deadlines in a dynamic research setting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High attention to detail and able to multitask and prioritise
• Proficient with IT systems and software such as Microsoft Excel and Teams

The Person

• Enthusiastic, reliable with a conscientious attitude
• Proactive, with a desire to take responsibility
• Comfortable to ask questions and consult with senior employees and team members for clarification when uncertain
• Willingness to embrace new technologies and carry out improvements to working practice

Why Vernalis?

At Vernalis you will be part of ‘One Team’ working in a friendly and collaborative office.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits including generous pension contributions, private healthcare cover, 26 days annual leave for a full-time position plus bank holidays, holiday purchase scheme, flexitime, discretionary bonus, employee assistance programme and enhanced family leave policies.

Whilst we are advertising this vacancy as a full-time position (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) we would also like to hear from you if you prefer to work 5 shorter days, Monday to Friday as other working patterns can be considered.

If you feel passionate about joining a team where scientific excellence and enthusiasm combine in a friendly and flexible environment to impact drug discovery projects, then please get in touch!

Please include a covering letter which outlines your suitability and motivation for this position.

Vernalis Research is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.