Laboratory Assistant

Job Description Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL? Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International. We are not just dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service, we are recognised for it. We were named Best Performing Professional Services Company of the Year (2025) at the One Nucleus Awards and CRO of the Year at the OBN awards. We were also finalists for multiple recent multiple awards recognising our commitment to skills and rising talent. If you are passionate about driving innovation and making a real impact, RSSL is the place for you! Purpose: In RSSL we are customer focused, science led, and results driven. RSSL performs a wide range of analytical and microbiological analyses for a variety of pharmaceutical, healthcare and food companies and supports Mondelez research and innovation. The Operations Lab Support (OLS) department is responsible for the administration of all samples arriving at RSSL, across all our sites, along with providing laboratory support to all the departments and liaising with internal and external customers. Sample administration includes responsibility for the receipt of samples and materials, creating projects in our LIMS system, ensuring there are no discrepancies between submitted client paperwork, sample pot labelling and quotations. Tasks undertaken include sub-sampling of supplied samples, subcontracting analytical work and inputting of these results, returning samples to clients, and maintaining chain of custody for controlled samples. Laboratory administration includes responsibility for supporting assigned laboratories with housekeeping, glass washing and maintenance of consumables and materials. Tasks undertaken include calibration of equipment, managing inventory and waste streams, disposal of samples and archiving of data. In this role you take responsibility for performing the laboratory administration tasks within assigned areas of the business. The Laboratory Assistant maintains the availability of clean glassware and consumable items, manages waste streams, and ensures general laboratory cleanliness while operating in a safe manner. By undertaking the calibration of equipment and management of inventory you will maintain a compliant laboratory to quality standards. Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities: Technical Ensure laboratory housekeeping is completed to the required schedule and level for the assigned laboratories. This may include cleanliness of general storage and work areas such as balance, glasswasher areas and sinks and/or specific lab areas such as mopping in a micro lab. Perform glasswasher duties on glassware from all laboratories linked with admin team’s site, ensuring adherence to all SOPs to minimise the risk of glassware contamination and avoidance of breakage of glassware. Re-stock glassware storage locations to keep stocks at a level suitable for scientist work. Raise issues regarding glassware stocks with line manager. Maintain stocks of consumables within the laboratories, including but not exclusively: various pipette tips, tissues and paper rolls, laboratory gloves of various sizes, cleaning wipes, vials of various sizes (glass and plastic), glass Pasteur pipettes. Calibrate basic lab equipment to the regulatory quality standards as required, such as balances, pH meter and pipettes. Perform archiving and filing as directed. Perform disposal processes for samples, reagents, media and solvents, ensuring safety procedures are followed and upheld. Manage inventory locations by keeping ambient stores, fridges and freezers clean and ordered and routinely defrosting freezers. Be competent in the use of generic and specific software packages required for the role including LIMS system and Q-Pulse. Will be expected to work in different laboratories and sites if the demand is required. Communication & Influence Work as part of an efficient team looking to implement process improvements. Liaise with site administration teams and line management to ensure effective communication. QEHS Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed. To complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner. To maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment. To understand and work to the requirements of GMP, UKAS and Home Office regulations. Ensure training records are accurate. Behaviours and Competencies Safety Consciousness: Prioritise safety by consistently wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), adhering to safety guidelines, raising safety observations and encouraging others to do the same. Communication Skills: Maintain clear and effective communication with team members, reporting any issues or discrepancies promptly and documenting all activities accurately. Team Collaboration: Work well with others, helping when needed, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive team environment. Problem-Solving Abilities: Demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve simple problems, especially when unexpected situations arise. Organisational Skills: Keep the work area clean and organised, ensuring samples and consumables are properly stored and labelled. Reliability and Trust: Take ownership of your tasks, completing them with high reliability and meeting deadlines consistently, building trust with team members. Adaptability and Flexibility: Flexible and able to adapt to new ways of working, and changes in the laboratory environment. Continuous Learning: Stay up to date with the latest safety practices and QSOP updates, seeking out opportunities for professional learning and development. Attention to Detail: Follow procedures to ensure accuracy and safety in every task. Compliance with Regulations: Ensure all activities comply with relevant SOP’s, demonstrating integrity and professionalism. Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements: Educated to A-level / HNC level / Bachelor's (or equivalent) and / or have appropriate industry experience to be able to fulfil role requirements. Good understanding of basic lab equipment (preferred) Accountable, honest, hardworking and able to work efficiently in a team. Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements. Meticulous attention to detail and an ability to follow written instructions. Good written and verbal communication skills. Self-motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn. Well organized and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently. Computer literate in standard MS office applications Experience of working in an administrative role Experience of working in a regulated environment English fluency (written and spoken) More about this role In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including: Opportunities to learn and develop Performance Related Bonus scheme Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution) Life assurance Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc). Business Unit Summary Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration. Curious about us and want to learn more? Please explore: Website YouTube LinkedIn Glassdoor RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #RSSL Job Type Regular Scientific Administration Science & Engineering At Mondelēz International, our purpose is to empower people to snack right through offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. That means delivering a broader range of delicious, high-quality snacks that nourish life's moments, made with sustainable ingredients and packaging that consumers can feel good about. We have a rich portfolio of strong brands – both global and local. Including many household names such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. We are proud to hold the number 1 position globally in biscuits, chocolate and candy as well as the No. 2 position in gum Our 80,000 Makers and Bakers are located in our operations in more than 80 countries and are working to sell our products in over 150 countries around the world. They are energized for growth and critical to us living our purpose and values. We are a diverse community that can make things happen, and happen fast. Join us and Make It An Opportunity!