Contract Histology Technician — 3-Month Assignment (with potential to extend)
📍 Hatfield, UK | Fixed-Term / Contract | Full-time or Part-time considered
We’re working with a leading preclinical research organisation that specialises in high-quality drug discovery and development studies. They are known for their robust expertise in pharmacokinetics, CNS, respiratory, and toxicology research — and they’re now looking to add a skilled Histology Technician to their team on a contract basis.
The Opportunity:
You’ll play a key role in supporting in vivo and toxicology studies by delivering the full histology workflow — from necropsy and tissue collection to embedding, sectioning, staining, and cover slipping. You’ll collaborate closely with scientific teams to ensure accurate, timely preparation of samples for analysis.
What You’ll Be Doing:
* Perform necropsies on preclinical species (mainly rodents) according to study protocols and ethical standards
* Collect, label, and process tissue samples, ensuring precise orientation and documentation
* Conduct tissue fixation, dehydration, paraffin embedding, microtomy, and slide mounting
* Perform routine and special staining (e.g., H&E and others as needed)
* Carry out cover slipping (manual or automated) and quality check slides
* Maintain meticulous lab records and adhere to SOPs and GLP standards
* Coordinate with in vivo, pathology, and bioanalysis teams to align with project timelines
* Support general lab upkeep, equipment checks, and inventory management
What We’re Looking For:
* Previous experience in a preclinical or research histology setting
* Proven ability to run the full histology workflow from necropsy through to high-quality slides
* Solid understanding of tissue morphology and high attention to detail
* Familiarity with GLP or regulated lab environments is a plus
* Comfortable working with rodent models and handling biological specimens
* A team player who can also work independently in a fast-paced lab
* Relevant scientific or technical qualification (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Contract Details:
* Initial 3-month contract with potential to extend or become permanent
* Flexible working patterns — full-time or part-time considered
* Competitive rate, depending on experience