Laboratory Support Technician

bit.bio is an award-winning spinout from the University of Cambridge. Our breakthrough technology combines synthetic and stem cell biology for the precise, efficient and consistent reprogramming of human cells used in research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. At bit.bio, we are passionate about engineering human cells that will enable the medicine of the future. To do this we need talented and curious people who want to make an impact on the future of science and therapeutics.

As a team of individuals, we value science, collaboration, openness, curiosity and creativity. We are united by trust and respect for each other.

Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge

Type: Full time, permanent / Start: Immediate

Salary: Competitive / Hours: 40 p/w

Site/Lab Based Position (Cambridge)

This role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for UK skilled worker sponsorship. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK or must not require sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa.

Your role in our team:

Reporting to the Laboratory and Infrastructure Operations Manager, the Laboratory Support Technician will ensure day to day laboratory operations including equipment upkeep, consumable stock levels, reagent aliquoting, laboratory waste management and general laboratory maintenance. This role is critical to ensuring scientists and technical staff can operate without disruption in a compliant and safe environment. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Operate within Containment Level 1 and 2 molecular biology and tissue culture laboratories, ensuring adherence to all relevant safety protocols.
• Prepare in-house tissue culture aliquots, broth, and agar (plates) using good aseptic technique to support both production processes and scientific research.
• Provide high-quality autoclaving and washing-up services and coordinate a weekly lab coat laundry service for scientific staff.
• Manage laboratory waste by disposing of all waste through appropriate streams, including clinical and chemical waste processing.
• Support daily laboratory operations including gas checks and replacing gas cylinders as required.
• Collaborate with the Facilities team to ensure all laboratory equipment and instrumentation are properly maintained, serviced, and calibrated to meet regulatory standards. This includes assisting with defrosting fridges/freezers and cleaning biological safety cabinets, incubators, and other lab equipment.
• Oversee stock and lab store management, including performing regular stock checks and ensuring consumables, reagents, and in-house aliquots are well organised and available. Maintain a comprehensive chemical inventory.
• Uphold high standards of laboratory cleanliness and organisation, ensuring lab-ware and workspaces are maintained in line with good housekeeping practices.
• Prepare and maintain stock solutions such as 70% ethanol and 1% Chemgene in spray bottles.
• Conduct weekly cleaning of designated biological safety cabinets.
• Work closely with the Operations team to troubleshoot and resolve instrumentation issues.
• Support the development and maintenance of SOPs, Work Instructions, and Risk Assessments in collaboration with QA and Health & Safety, ensuring consistency and alignment with regulatory expectations.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation within the team and proactively amend documents as part of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as a key point of contact for the scientific team.
• Assist in the implementation and promotion of Health & Safety practices in the laboratory, including signage, spill response training, and COSHH compliance.
• Adhere to all QEHS (Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety) policies and procedures, reporting any deviations or concerns promptly to ensure the safety of employees, visitors, and the environment.

You…

• Are degree educated (or equivalent experience) in a scientific discipline with proven experience working within a commercial or academic laboratory.
• Have excellent time management, record keeping skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work to tight timelines and adjust to last minute changes.
• A good team player – able to work closely with different functions and departments to meet goals and requirements.
• Are highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and to tight timescales.

With essential experience in…

• Proven work experience in a support role within a commercial or research laboratory environment.
• Practical experience in aseptic techniques to prepare media, reagents and in-house aliquots.

…and possibly…

• Practical experience within a cell culture laboratory environment.
• Experience of LEAN (5S, Kanban, Kaizan) environments.
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More reasons to join us:

bit.bio provides a vibrant and dynamic work environment in an exciting, fast-moving time for biology. We work with cutting edge technologies and with our world-leading scientific advisory board. We conduct pioneering work with real-world impact.

We trust our people to make significant contributions early on with opportunities to be involved in projects that are key to the success and growth of our young company. We invest in people, creating opportunities for personal development in an inclusive multi-skilled team with ambitious goals that provide opportunities to learn on the job from each other.

Creativity and open minds are encouraged for everyone to contribute to the success of the company.

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