Lab Assistant 2

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Clinical Research Lab Technician supports the daily operations of the pre-clinical laboratory by performing hands-on laboratory activities, equipment reprocessing, tissue preparation, inventory management, and laboratory logistics.
• This position ensures laboratory spaces, surgical instruments, equipment, materials, and tissue models are properly prepared, maintained, and ready to support safe and efficient lab activities.
• The Clinical Research Lab Technician works closely with the Lab Coordinator and cross-functional teams to support development programs, special events, and laboratory operations while maintaining compliance with established safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Laboratory Setup, Cleanup & Reprocessing:

• Prepare laboratory spaces, equipment, instruments, and training materials for scheduled pre-clinical studies and special events.
• Perform end-of-day laboratory cleanup, turnover, and room reset activities to ensure spaces are clean, organized, and ready for use.
• Perform cleaning, decontamination, inspection, reprocessing, and sterilization of surgical instruments and laboratory equipment according to established procedures.
• Assemble and prepare instrument trays, surgical instruments, equipment, and training materials prior to scheduled laboratory activities.
• Organize and maintain decontamination, sterilization, storage, and laboratory work areas to support efficient and compliant operations.
• Reprocess standard and non-standard laboratory equipment and devices according to established procedures.

Tissue Handling & Preparation:

• Handle, dissect, and prepare ex-vivo tissues, cadaveric specimens, and other biological or surgical training models according to established protocols.
• Prepare, maintain, and properly handle tissue models in accordance with applicable safety, quality, and laboratory procedures.
• Ensure appropriate labeling, storage, tracking, and disposal of biological materials.
• Maintain specimen inventory and usage records as required.
• Follow established PPE, biosafety, tissue-handling, and disposal requirements.

Equipment & Technical Support:

• Assist in managing  Robotic Platforms and supplemental equipment used for clinical programs, laboratory activities, and special events.
• Set up, configure, and verify  Robotic Platforms and associated equipment to ensure readiness for laboratory activities.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and basic operational checks.
• Troubleshoot and provide basic operational support for laboratory equipment, including robotic platforms, video equipment, electrosurgical units, and other devices.
• Escalate equipment issues, supply shortages, safety concerns, or other operational problems promptly to the appropriate team.
• Support equipment movement, system placement, and bay assignments as required for laboratory readiness.

Logistics, Inventory & Materials Management:

• Maintain inventory of surgical instruments, equipment, accessories, tissue models, laboratory supplies, and training materials.
• Monitor inventory levels and support replenishment to ensure materials are available for upcoming laboratory activities.
• Order and track laboratory supplies as needed.
• Coordinate shipping and receiving of instruments, equipment, accessories, tissue models, and other training materials for onsite and offsite activities.
• Support laboratory logistics, including room readiness, system movements, and other pre-lab operational activities.

Laboratory Organization, Safety & Compliance:

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe laboratory spaces in accordance with established procedures.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols, standard operating procedures, quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with applicable animal care and laboratory requirements, including IACUC, USDA, and other relevant standards.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, documentation, and filing systems in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Identify and report safety concerns, equipment issues, process gaps, or other conditions that may affect laboratory readiness.
• Follow required PPE practices when working with biological materials, cadaveric specimens, laboratory equipment, and cleaning or decontamination processes.

Team & Operational Support:

• Work closely with the Lab Coordinator and cross-functional teams to execute day-to-day laboratory activities and priorities.
• Communicate task completion, equipment issues, inventory or supply gaps, and operational concerns in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams regarding laboratory logistics, equipment availability, inventory needs, and operational support.
• Support multiple concurrent laboratory activities while maintaining laboratory readiness and established quality and safety standards.
• Provide professional operational support to internal and external customers participating in laboratory and training activities.
• Support general laboratory administration, documentation, and process improvements as needed.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Experience as a laboratory technician, sterile processing technician, veterinary technician, or in a comparable laboratory, medical device, animal research, or pre-clinical environment.
• Experience working with biological materials, tissue models, surgical instruments, or laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of sterile processing, decontamination, or laboratory reprocessing practices.
• Ability to follow established procedures, protocols, and safety requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and organizational skills.
• Basic inventory and materials-management skills.
• Ability to communicate issues, task status, and operational needs effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Working knowledge of common computer applications, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Consistent and reliable attendance.

Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or relevant technical education preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed primarily in laboratory and office environments with frequent exposure to biological tissues, cadaveric specimens, laboratory equipment, and cleaning or decontamination materials.
• The position requires adherence to established laboratory safety protocols, biosafety procedures, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including scrubs, gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
• Responsibilities include prolonged standing and walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing and pulling, moving laboratory equipment, preparing training spaces, and lifting materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The position may require supporting multiple concurrent laboratory or research activities in a fast-paced environment.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position.
• They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

•  3–5 years of experience in an animal research, pre-clinical, surgical training, medical device, or comparable laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with Robotic Platforms and associated accessories.
• Familiarity with surgical procedures, surgical terminology, and surgical training models.
• Experience with tissue handling, dissection, or laboratory tissue-preparation procedures.
• Familiarity with regulated laboratory environments and applicable requirements, including IACUC, USDA, AAALAC, or similar standards.
• Experience troubleshooting or supporting laboratory, surgical, video, or electrosurgical equipment.