Lab Technician

Lab Technician

Job Description

The Lab Technician supports cutting-edge laboratory research by performing hands-on mammalian and primary cell culture, small-scale ex vivo tissue culture, and a range of experimental assays. This role focuses on generating high-quality, reliable data through precise experimental execution, rigorous documentation, and adherence to biosafety and ethical standards. The Lab Technician collaborates closely with cross-functional project teams, contributes to laboratory operations and equipment maintenance, and adapts to evolving research priorities in a regulated laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian cell lines, including thawing, expansion, passaging, and cryopreservation using strict aseptic technique to ensure culture integrity and reproducibility.
• Perform routine cell culture quality control checks such as cell counting, viability assessments, and monitoring of morphology to confirm culture health.
• Prepare, optimize, and maintain cell culture media, supplements, and reagents, accurately tracking lot numbers and expiration dates to support traceability and consistency.
• Assist with the receipt, handling, and processing of tissues under BSL-2 conditions while adhering to ethical compliance requirements and relevant SOPs.
• Isolate and culture primary cells and establish small-scale ex vivo tissue or explant cultures under supervision, ensuring proper handling and documentation.
• Conduct cell and tissue viability assessments and basic phenotyping as directed by project scope and supervisory guidance.
• Execute and/or assist with laboratory assays including brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, cell counting and viability assays, ELISA, qPCR, Western blotting, and immunostaining as needed for ongoing studies.
• Prepare buffers, stock solutions, and working reagents using accurate calculations for molarity, dilutions, and pH, ensuring proper labeling and storage.
• Collect, organize, summarize, and visualize experimental data, maintaining version-controlled files to support data integrity and reproducibility.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely records in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and/or laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in accordance with SOPs.
• Follow biosafety, chemical safety, and waste disposal guidelines for BSL-2 laboratories, ensuring safe handling of human and/or animal materials and reagents.
• Support chain-of-custody documentation for human and/or animal tissues and reagents to maintain regulatory and ethical compliance.
• Maintain laboratory equipment such as biosafety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges, microscopes, and pipettes, including coordinating servicing and calibration as needed.
• Manage inventory and ordering of laboratory consumables, receive and label reagents, and maintain organized storage systems to support efficient lab operations.
• Present progress updates and experimental findings in team meetings, actively contributing to discussions and collaborative problem-solving.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to support project timelines and evolving research needs.
• Perform additional laboratory or operational tasks that support team objectives and project requirements as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 1 year of hands-on mammalian cell culture experience in an academic or industry setting.
• Proficiency in aseptic techniques and routine maintenance of continuous mammalian cell lines.
• Experience with media and reagent preparation, including laboratory mathematics such as dilutions, pH adjustment, and sterile filtration.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate, detailed documentation in accordance with SOPs.
• High attention to detail and commitment to generating high-quality, reproducible data.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams.
• Strong time-management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Ability to follow written protocols and SOPs precisely while adhering to biosafety and ethical standards.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to evolving project needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Exposure to primary cell culture and/or small-scale ex vivo tissue handling, or a strong willingness to learn these techniques.
• Experience with tissue dissociation, explant or organoid culture, 3D culture, or co-culture models.
• Familiarity with immunostaining techniques for cells or tissues.
• Experience with microscopy, including brightfield and fluorescence imaging.
• Exposure to flow cytometry for cell analysis.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, RNA/DNA extraction, Western blotting, or ELISA.
• Comfort using electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and/or LIMS for data entry and record-keeping.
• Ability to present experimental results clearly in team meetings and contribute to data interpretation.

Work Environment

The role is based in a regulated BSL-2 laboratory environment that supports mammalian and primary cell culture, ex vivo tissue work, and a variety of molecular and cell biology assays. The lab uses equipment such as biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, centrifuges, microscopes (brightfield and fluorescence), pipettes, and standard molecular biology instruments for qPCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Work involves regular handling of cell cultures, human and/or animal tissues, and chemical reagents, with strict adherence to biosafety, chemical safety, and waste disposal procedures. Team members work collaboratively, share equipment and resources, and participate in regular project and progress meetings. The position follows structured SOPs, documentation standards, and chain-of-custody procedures, providing a highly organized and process-driven environment that supports learning, cross-functional collaboration, and professional growth.

This is a Contract position based out of Blue Ash, OH.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $24.00/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Blue Ash,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on May 7, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $22 - $24