The Opportunity:
MaterialTechnician – Lab Environment
Location: Cambridge, Discovery Centre
Contract Type: Temporary – 12 months
About Avantor Services
Avantor Services provides a broad range of on-site laboratory services for major pharmaceutical customers. We work collaboratively with our customers to deliver essential scientific and operational support, enabling research teams to focus on their core activities while improving laboratory efficiency and productivity.
The Opportunity
We are seeking aMaterialTechnician to join theDrug Substance (DS) team withinBiopharmaceutical Development at our client’s Cambridge Discovery Centre.
This is alab‑based, multidisciplinary role that underpins early drug development programs throughmaterial coordination, shipment logistics, internal sample management, and cold‑storage inventory ownership. The role plays a critical part in ensuring materials moveefficiently, compliantly, and without delay, allowing scientists to remain focused on research and development delivery.
All activities are carried out in accordance withSafety, Health & Environment (SHE) requirements andGood Laboratory Standards (GLS).
Why This Role Could Be Right for You
If you have a life sciences background and are keen to broaden your experience beyond traditional lab work into sample logistics, materials management, and cross-functional coordination, this role offers a strong development opportunity.
You will apply your scientific understanding in a real-world drug development environment, while gaining hands-on exposure to shipping coordination, cold-storage inventory ownership, laboratory systems, and process improvement activities.
With training and on-the-job support provided, this position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn new—but closely related—areas, building a broader skill set while remaining connected to science-driven work.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Material Coordination & Shipping Logistics
1. Coordinate the shipmentofmaterialsfor the DS group, including:Plasmid DNAControl monoclonal antibodiesNon‑GLP and GLP toxicology lotsCLD cell linesPPS bulk materialsAnalytical samples for external assays (HCP, DNA, ProA, ISF, bioassay, density)
2. Prepare, review, and manage all shipment documentation, ensuring full accuracy to prevent customs delays
3. Act as the primary liaison between:Internal DS scientistsSample Dispatch Unit (SDU)Avantor logistics stakeholders
4. Monitor, track, and follow up on complex and international shipments, resolving SDU or customs queries to avoid project delays
Internal Sample & Material Management
5. Oversee internal sample tracking and management, includingDLIMS submissions
6. Support aliquoting and labelling activities, ensuring samples are correctly prepared for storage and dispatch
7. Maintain alignment with internal standards for sample traceability, handling, and documentation
Cold‑Storage Inventory Ownership
8. Take ownership of departmental freezer inventories (−80°C, −20°C, +4°C), including:Receipt and logging of new materialsFulfilment of material requestsStock tracking and usage monitoringSupporting routine disposal activitiesSupporting routine freezer cleaning
9. Ensure compliance with all cold and ultra‑cold storage standards and inventory integrity requirements
Systems Support & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
10. Act as the primary contact for scientists regardingAvantor shipping systems and storage workflows
11. Troubleshoot system or process issues and escalate where necessary
12. Collaborate with scientists, Avantor teams, and SDU to drive continuous improvement in shipping andmaterialmanagement processes
Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
13. Educated toHND or BSc level in a Life Science or related discipline
14. Understanding ofprotein structure is advantageous
15. High level ofattention to detail and accuracy
16. Strong organisational, planning, and time‑management skills
17. Excellent communication skills with confidence engaging across scientific and operational teams
18. Customer‑focused, collaborative, and service‑oriented mindset
19. Flexible and proactive, with the ability to handle multiple responsibilities and priorities
20. Comfortable workingindependently and as part of a team
21. Knowledge and understanding ofGood Laboratory Standards (GLS)
Interested? Let`s apply!
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Why Avantor?
Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!
EEO Statement:
We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
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