Senior Lab Operations Associate

Job Title: Lab Operations Associate Job Description The Lab Operations Associate provides hands-on operational support for scientific laboratories in San Diego. This role works closely with the Lab Manager, laboratory users, and the Facilities team to ensure that laboratories remain organized, properly equipped, safe, and operating efficiently. The position offers broad exposure to laboratory operations, facilities, equipment coordination, and environmental health and safety within a product-driven life sciences environment focused on genomics and improving healthcare. Responsibilities

- Support daily laboratory operations and promptly respond to laboratory user needs.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and coordinate service, repairs, and preventative maintenance.
- Manage equipment service records and ensure accurate and compliant document retention.
- Obtain quotes for laboratory equipment and track equipment orders from request through delivery.
- Coordinate equipment labeling, installation, relocation, and bench assignments to optimize lab space and workflow.
- Assist with laboratory space planning and organization to keep work areas efficient and orderly.
- Coordinate the freezer defrost program and perform routine freezer defrosts to maintain proper function.
- Support hazardous-waste management, including labeling, storage, vendor pickup, and disposal in accordance with safety procedures.
- Conduct periodic laboratory audits, document findings, and correct identified deficiencies in a timely manner.
- Restock personal protective equipment (PPE), spill kits, and first-aid kits to ensure continuous availability.
- Provide glass-washing and autoclave support to maintain a clean and compliant laboratory environment.
- Maintain and update the chemical inventory, including chemical labeling and storage information.
- Promote safe laboratory practices and help maintain a strong safety culture.
- Assist with laboratory and facilities projects as needed, collaborating with operations, facilities, and external service vendors.

Essential Skills

- At least 2 years of experience supporting a biology, chemistry, life sciences, or other scientific wet lab, including organizing laboratory spaces, assisting lab users, restocking supplies, maintaining inventories, coordinating equipment, or providing general laboratory support.
- 2 to 3 years of scientific lab operations or related experience at an intermediate or mid-level.
- Experience maintaining laboratory equipment and coordinating quotes, orders, installation, labeling, service, repairs, relocation, and equipment records.
- Working knowledge of laboratory safety, including hazardous materials, hazardous waste, PPE, chemical labeling, chemical storage, and safe disposal practices.
- Ability to follow instructions and established safety procedures and contribute to maintaining a safe laboratory environment.
- Strong organization and multitasking skills to manage multiple operational tasks simultaneously.
- Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills to effectively support laboratory users and partners.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting activities and interacting with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications for documentation, tracking, and communication.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds as part of routine laboratory operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field is preferred.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
- Experience in an ISO or IVDR quality-management environment is preferred.
- Familiarity with chemical inventory management and laboratory audits.
- Exposure to laboratory operations, facilities coordination, and environmental health and safety (EHS).
- Interest in building experience relevant to future roles in lab management or EHS.
- Appreciation for working in an environment that emphasizes learning, growth, scientific integrity, collaboration, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

Work Environment This role is based on-site in a laboratory environment in San Diego within an operations-focused department. The position is classified as non-exempt and involves close collaboration with the Lab Manager, laboratory users, Lab Operations, Facilities, and outside vendors. The work setting is a hands-on scientific wet lab that uses standard laboratory equipment, chemical inventories, PPE, and safety systems, and may include working within ISO or IVDR quality-management frameworks. The role requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform routine physical tasks such as moving equipment, restocking supplies, and supporting glass-washing and autoclave operations. The environment emphasizes learning, growth, scientific integrity, collaboration, honesty, objectivity, and openness, providing a strong foundation for career development in lab operations, lab management, or environmental health and safety. Travel is not required for this position.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.