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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our lab team to support experimental operations and execute routine technical tasks.
- Company: Charles River is a global leader in drug development, dedicated to improving lives through innovative science.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private medical care, generous pension, and well-being support from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health while growing your career in a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Lab experience in biotech or pharma is essential; BSc or MSc preferred but not mandatory.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that has supported 86% of FDA-approved drugs in 2021.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
This job is with Charles River, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
At Charles River, we are passionate about improving the quality of people's lives. When you join our global family, you will help create healthier lives for millions of patients and their families.
Charles River employees are innovative thinkers, who are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. We will empower you with the resources you need to grow and develop in your career.
As a Charles River employee, you will be part of an industry-leading, customer-focused company at the forefront of drug development. Your skills will play a key role in bringing life-saving therapies to market faster through simpler, quicker, and more digitalized processes. Whether you are in lab operations, finance, IT, sales, or another area, when you work at Charles River, you will be the difference every day for patients across the globe.
Job Summary
Do you have lab experience in the biotech or pharma industry?
Are you ready for your next laboratory position?
Our In Vitro Biology team in Portishead are recruiting, could you be the next team member in our lab?
As an Associate Technical Specialist, you'll be applying a defined technical knowledge base and skillset to independently execute routine tasks. These tasks aim to support the sites experimental and lab operations. You'll work in accordance with the Charles River Values at all times.
Main Tasks
Accountable for delivering specialised practical support that positively impacts the day-day lab operations for immediate team and wider division.
Able to contribute to the development of robust routine technical procedures under some supervision, can present own work effectively to peers within the team and wider division.
Resolve relatively complex technical issues with some confidence, utilising support from line manager within specialism.
Demonstrate clear ownership of tasks, consistently meeting project deliverables in line with client requirements.
Independent Technical support:
Blood and Ex Vivo Sample processing
Maintenance of cell lines across projects
Isolation of subsets of immune cells from blood (MACS)
Phenotype purity assessments by flow cytometry
Following training, other standardly used techniques used within in vitro/ex vivo Biology
Continuous improvement – ensure that any "just do it" actions are carried out in order to enhance efficiency and productivity. Focus on cost-saving initiatives both hard and soft savings.
Health and Safety – support H&S initiatives that ensure laboratories and buildings comply with CRL site-based guidelines – Proactively seek improvements and aid the implementation of new processes.
Stock control – ensure consumables stocks are kept to the required level, procuring best alternatives and finding cost savings where possible.
Maximo – continued operation and update of Maximo and ensuring all servicing reports are saved in the correct place. Work orders are completed/acted within a week (earlier depending on the urgency).
Skills and Experience
Significant lab-based experience in academia and / or industry
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent problem-solving skills, able to approach problems with sound logic and judgement.
Able to collate complex scientific data effectively.
Training is provided for all scientific tasks and processing.
Advantageous but NOT essential:
Educated to BSc level.
MSc preferred within a relevant scientific discipline.
Relevant CRO / Biotech / Pharma industry in specialism.
General cell biology and in vivo processing support.
What We Offer You
A very comprehensive benefits package from day one, including a generous pension contribution, private medical for you (and can add family members), private dental care, critical illness cover, bonus and more!
Access to great discounts via our CREDS discount scheme.
Global opportunities and strong career progression.
The chance to work on several varied projects and liaise globally and nationally with other business areas.
To be able make a difference to health and wellbeing of people.
To continue your own career growth.
Flexible and hybrid working.
Parental leave.
Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection.
Remote GP access 24/7.
Well-being support and initiatives.
Cycle to work scheme.
Well-being support and initiatives.
Cycle to work scheme.
About Corporate Functions
The Corporate Functions provide operational support across Charles River in areas such as Human Resources, Finance, IT, Legal, Sales, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Corporate Development. They partner with their colleagues across the company to develop and drive strategies and to set global standards. The functions are essential to providing a bridge between strategic vision and operational readiness, to ensure ongoing functional innovation and capability improvement.
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients' clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client's unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.
At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to the principle of diversity and inclusion and work daily in this direction.
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.
229011#LI-DNI
Associate Technical Specialist (Q28T1) 12 month FTC employer: Charles River
Contact Detail:
Charles River Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Technical Specialist (Q28T1) 12 month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific lab techniques mentioned in the job description, such as blood and ex vivo sample processing and flow cytometry. Being able to discuss these techniques confidently during your interview will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Charles River's values and mission to understand their focus on improving lives through drug development. Tailoring your responses to align with their goals can show that you are a good cultural fit for the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've contributed to continuous improvement in previous roles. Highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to enhance efficiency will resonate well with the expectations for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Charles River, especially those in similar roles. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Technical Specialist (Q28T1) 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant lab experience in the biotech or pharma industry. Emphasise any specific skills mentioned in the job description, such as blood processing, cell line maintenance, and flow cytometry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving people's lives through science. Mention how your skills align with Charles River's mission and values, and provide examples of how you've contributed to lab operations in the past.
Highlight Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, demonstrate your problem-solving abilities by providing examples of complex technical issues you've resolved in previous roles. This will show your capability to handle challenges independently.
Show Enthusiasm for Continuous Learning: Express your commitment to continuous improvement and learning in your application. Mention any relevant training or certifications you have completed, and how you plan to grow within the role at Charles River.
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles River
✨Showcase Your Lab Experience
Make sure to highlight your lab experience in the biotech or pharma industry during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you've used, such as blood processing or flow cytometry, and how they relate to the tasks you'll be performing at Charles River.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Charles River values excellent problem-solving abilities. Prepare examples of complex technical issues you've resolved in the past, detailing your thought process and the outcome. This will show your capability to handle challenges independently.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. You might be asked to present your work or findings, so being able to convey information effectively is key.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Charles River is committed to continuous learning and improvement. Be ready to discuss any initiatives you've taken to enhance efficiency or productivity in previous roles. This could include cost-saving measures or process improvements you've implemented.
