Laboratory Assistant in Wokingham

Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL? Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration. At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International.

Purpose

In RSSL we are customer focused, science led, and results driven. RSSL performs a wide range of analytical and microbiological analyses for a variety of pharmaceutical, healthcare and food companies and supports Mondelez research and innovation. The Operations Lab Support (OLS) department is responsible for the administration of all samples arriving at RSSL across all our sites, along with providing laboratory support to all departments and liaising with internal and external customers.

Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Ensure laboratory housekeeping is completed to the required schedule and level for the assigned laboratories.
• Perform glasswasher duties on glassware from all laboratories linked with admin team’s site, ensuring adherence to all SOPs to minimise the risk of glassware contamination and avoidance of breakage of glassware.
• Re‑stock glassware storage locations to keep stocks at a level suitable for scientist work.
• Maintain stocks of consumables within the laboratories, including but not exclusively: various pipette tips, tissues and paper rolls, laboratory gloves of various sizes, cleaning wipes, vials of various sizes (glass and plastic), glass Pasteur pipettes.
• Calibrate basic lab equipment to the regulatory quality standards as required, such as balances, pH meter and pipettes.
• Perform archiving and filing as directed.
• Perform disposal processes for samples, reagents, media and solvents, ensuring safety procedures are followed and upheld.
• Manage inventory locations by keeping ambient stores, fridges and freezers clean and ordered and routinely defrosting freezers.
• Be competent in the use of generic and specific software packages required for the role including LIMS system and Q‑Pulse.
• Will be expected to work in different laboratories and sites if the demand is required.

Communication & Influence

• Work as part of an efficient team looking to implement process improvements.
• Liaise with site administration teams and line management to ensure effective communication.

QEHS

• Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed.
• To complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner.
• To maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
• To understand and work to the requirements of GMP, UKAS and Home Office regulations.
• Ensure training records are accurate.

Behaviours and Competencies

• Safety Consciousness: Prioritise safety by consistently wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), adhering to safety guidelines, raising safety observations and encouraging others to do the same.
• Communication Skills: Maintain clear and effective communication with team members, reporting any issues or discrepancies promptly and documenting all activities accurately.
• Team Collaboration: Work well with others, helping when needed, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive team environment.
• Problem‑Solving Abilities: Demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve simple problems, especially when unexpected situations arise.
• Organisational Skills: Keep the work area clean and organised, ensuring samples and consumables are properly stored and labelled.
• Reliability and Trust: Take ownership of your tasks, completing them with high reliability and meeting deadlines consistently, building trust with team members.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Flexible and able to adapt to new ways of working, and changes in the laboratory environment.
• Continuous Learning: Stay up to date with the latest safety practices and QSOP updates, seeking out opportunities for professional learning and development.
• Attention to Detail: Follow procedures to ensure accuracy and safety in every task.
• Compliance with Regulations: Ensure all activities comply with relevant SOP’s, demonstrating integrity and professionalism.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements

• Educated to A-level / HNC level (or equivalent) and / or have appropriate industry experience to be able to fulfil role requirements.
• Good understanding of basic lab equipment (preferred).
• Accountable, honest, hardworking and able to work efficiently in a team.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an ability to follow written instructions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn.
• Well organized and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently.
• Computer literate in standard MS office applications.
• Experience of working in an administrative role.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment.
• English fluency (written and spoken).

More About This Role

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:

• Opportunities to learn and develop.
• Performance Related Bonus scheme.
• Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution).
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc).

No Relocation support available.

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting‑edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.

RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.