Assistant Technician 1
Edinburgh, GB, EH14 4AP
For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
Job Overview
We are seeking a Sample Management Technician within the department of Immunology, Bioanalysis & Biomarkers located at our site at Clearwater House in Riccarton, Edinburgh.
The Immunology, Bioanalysis and Biomarker team consists of a dynamic group of approximately 90 researchers that support our clients as they endeavour to bring novel treatments coving a wide range of therapeutic areas to patients. This multifunctional team ensures that clients are provided with accurate and reliable data to satisfy the regulatory expectations associated with bringing new treatments to the market. This is accomplished using a wide variety of scientific techniques across the fields of Immunochemistry, Immunology, Cell Based Assays and Molecular Biology.
The successful candidate will join a multifaceted support group in an entry-range position supporting the Sample Management efforts of the department.
Key responsibilities include:
- Clinical sample Coordination – which includes:
- Interpreting clinical protocols/phase plans
- Drafting supporting documents
- Creation/manipulation of clinical manifests
- Reconciliation/managing discrepancies
- Importing into Watson LIMS
- Sample receipt, management, shipping and delivery
- Maintaining accurate records of samples and documentation
- Tube and sample preparation
- Laboratory organisation and cleaning duties
- Maintenance of fridges and freezers used for sample storage
- Effective communication with stakeholders
Additional responsibilities and development opportunities may include:
- Preparation of reagents and solutions
- Making use of balances, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment
- Monitoring and maintaining levels and records of consumable products and equipment
The following are minimum requirements related to the Technician position:
- A NAT5/Higher or equivalent qualification in two of Maths, Chemistry and Biology
- High attention to detail
- Able to work independently and manage workload effectively.
- Strong ability to interpret data
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Strong communication skills
- Strong understanding of Microsoft Excel – Including formulae.
The starting salary for this role is £24,557.62 per annum.
Closing date: 09 July 2026
Following initial training and onboarding at our site based in Elphinstone, Tranent, the successful candidate will be based at our site in Clearwater House, Riccarton.
Due to high volume of applications we are receiving if you have not heard anything from Charles River Laboratories Edinburgh regarding the next steps of our recruitment process within 3 weeks of the closing date then please conclude you have been unsuccessful.
Job Description
Education
Physical Requirements
About Safety Assessment
Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.
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 over 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 worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.
At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to fostering a sense of belonging and work daily in this direction.
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