At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide hands-on histology support in a dynamic lab environment.
- Company: Avantor Services, a leader in pharmaceutical research.
- Benefits: Gain experience in innovative drug development and work with top scientists.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to advancing life-changing science.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient outcomes through cutting-edge translational science.
- Qualifications: BSc in a relevant field and at least 1 year of histology experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Opportunity: Senior Histology Technician (12-Month Temporary Contract)
Location: Cambridge, UK
Avantor Services provides on-site Laboratory and Materials Management Services to leading pharmaceutical organisations. We are currently seeking a Senior Histology Technician to join our team supporting the AstraZeneca Translational Pathology Laboratories in Cambridge. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly collaborative Biomarker Science & Technologies / Translational Pathology environment, supporting tissue-based activities across multiple drug development programmes from early research through to clinical development.
The Role
This is a hands-on laboratory position providing operational and technical histology support within a regulated environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering high-quality histology services while ensuring compliance with all applicable procedures and regulations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Histological sectioning and tissue handling
- Tissue Microarray (TMA) construction
- Cell pellet processing
- Supporting selected staining activities using manual and automated methods
- Laboratory equipment maintenance and routine operational support
- Accurate completion of laboratory documentation and records
- Working in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Human Tissue Act (HTA) requirements
- Supporting a multidisciplinary team across translational pathology projects
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience
- At least 1 year of experience within histology, pathology, tissue-based laboratory operations, or another regulated laboratory environment
- Experience in histological sectioning and tissue processing
- Experience with Tissue Microarray (TMA) construction and/or cell pellet processing
- Experience performing or supporting staining activities
- Experience maintaining laboratory equipment and supporting laboratory operations
- Knowledge of GCP regulations and compliant laboratory practices
- Understanding of regulations governing the ethical use and handling of human tissue samples
- Excellent attention to detail and strong documentation skills
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- Commitment to laboratory safety and quality standards
- Experience with IHC, IF, ISH, or related tissue-based staining techniques
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Master's degree in a scientific discipline
- Experience within translational medicine, biomarker laboratories, pathology laboratories, or clinical trial support environments
- Experience working within an HTA-regulated environment
- Familiarity with audit, inspection, deviation, CAPA, and change control processes
- Experience with digital pathology, slide scanning, or laboratory tracking systems
- Understanding of cancer biology and pathology
Please note: Due to the hands-on nature of this position, only candidates with demonstrable practical laboratory experience in histology and tissue-based workflows will be considered. Applicants should be able to clearly evidence their direct involvement in relevant techniques and laboratory processes outlined in this job description.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience within a world-class pharmaceutical research environment, contributing to innovative drug development programmes while working alongside leading scientists and pathology specialists. Apply today to become part of a team helping to advance cutting-edge translational science and improve patient outcomes.
Sr Histology Technician employer: Avantor
Avantor is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge, where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, a strong focus on professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while ensuring compliance with Health and Safety standards. With a culture that values attention to detail and teamwork, Avantor fosters a supportive atmosphere for growth and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr Histology Technician
✨Get Involved with Local Research Groups
Look for temporary roles in biology by connecting with local universities or research institutions. Attend open seminars, conferences, or even lab tours to network with professionals and discover any upcoming opportunities—sometimes they even need extra hands on short projects!
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Join online communities or forums related to biology—places like Twitter, Reddit, or even LinkedIn groups can be goldmines for discovering temporary roles. Follow industry leaders and engage with their content to make your presence known in the community.
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Sites focussed on science jobs, such as Nature Jobs or BioSpace, are perfect for temporary roles in biology. Set up alerts for relevant keywords to stay ahead of the game and apply as soon as you find something that fits your skill set!
✨Consider Seasonal Work and Internships
Biology often has seasonal hiring—look for internships or temp positions during peak times like summer. These roles can lead to great experience and connections that might open doors for future opportunities. Just remember, we encourage you to apply through our website to streamline your application process with Avantor!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Histology Technician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Experience:For a temporary role in biology, make sure to highlight any specific lab techniques or research experiences you've participated in. If you've worked on any projects, mention your contributions and what you learned – this is what will catch Avantor's eye!
Keep It Fluid and Adaptable:Given that it's a temporary position, your application should reflect your flexibility and willingness to learn quickly. In your cover letter, discuss how your background has prepared you to jump into new situations or adapt to different lab environments in a heartbeat.
Certifications Matter!:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like lab safety or specific research methodologies, be sure to include them in your CV. These can really demonstrate your readiness for immediate contributions at Avantor and save time during the hiring process.
Reflect Your Passion for Biology:Let your enthusiasm shine through your application! We want to see your genuine interest in biology and any recent trends or discoveries that fascinate you. This will show Avantor you’re not just a good choice for the role, but also a super-motivated candidate who’s keen to contribute!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avantor
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Since this is a biology role, be ready to discuss your hands-on experience in the lab. We should highlight any techniques or experiments you've performed that relate to the job, as those practical skills could really impress your interviewers at Avantor.
✨Brush Up on Key Concepts
Make sure we're familiar with recent developments in the field of biology. Interviewers might throw in some technical questions related to current research or methodologies. A quick review of recent papers or breakthroughs could give us a unique angle during our chat with Avantor.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Learning
Given that this is a temporary role, we should stress our adaptability and eagerness to learn. Employers like Avantor want to know that we're ready to hit the ground running. Share examples of how we've quickly adjusted to new environments or tasks in the past.
✨Prepare a Quick Project Summary
It might be useful to prepare a brief overview of any relevant projects or studies we've worked on. We can frame it in a way that showcases our contributions and what we learned, demonstrating how that experience will be beneficial in our role at Avantor.
