Lab Technician

Job Title: Lab TechnicianJob Description

The Lab Technician processes a wide range of biological samples from both animal and human studies to support preclinical and clinical research. This role focuses on preparing, handling, and analyzing specimens, including those tagged with radioactive tracers, while maintaining strict adherence to Good Laboratory Practices and safety regulations. The position offers a strong entry point into drug development and provides opportunities to learn advanced techniques, contribute to radioanalysis studies, and grow into other scientific or technical roles within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Process biological samples from animal and human studies, including plasma, urine, feces, and other specialized sample types such as tissue and bone.
• Weigh, homogenize, and prepare biological samples for analysis using analytical balances, pipettes, and homogenization equipment.
• Aliquot samples into testing vials and operate laboratory instrumentation used to measure trace levels of radioactivity.
• Prepare samples by thawing frozen specimens, adding solvents and solutions, and performing extraction procedures in accordance with study protocols.
• Work safely with low-level radioactive materials while following established laboratory and regulatory guidelines.
• Assist in radioactive tracer studies by tracking and measuring radioactivity recovery from biological samples.
• Perform routine sample preparation activities using liquid nitrogen and other laboratory reagents.
• Maintain accurate sample identification, labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody records throughout the testing process.
• Organize and prioritize assigned study work to ensure project deadlines and turnaround times are met.
• Collaborate with scientists and laboratory staff to support preclinical and clinical study objectives.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements, as well as laboratory safety policies.
• Ensure laboratory equipment, workspaces, and materials remain clean, organized, and in good working order.
• Provide assistance with sample preparation and support laboratory staff while maintaining study documentation and laboratory records.
• Participate in weekend and off-hour work as needed to support human sample processing and timely release of clinical study participants.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Animal Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related life science field; an associate degree is acceptable with relevant laboratory experience.
• Hands-on laboratory experience, including basic pipetting skills and familiarity with wet chemistry techniques.
• Ability to work confidently with biological samples from animal and human sources, including urine, feces, plasma, and other matrices.
• Ability and willingness to work with radioisotopes and low-level radioactive materials under established safety guidelines.
• Capability to work under GLP and GCP regulations and follow standard operating procedures.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody records.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines and turnaround times.
• Willingness and availability to work weekends and off-hour timepoints as required by study schedules.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work well with others in a collaborative laboratory environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Interest in drug development and enthusiasm for contributing to preclinical and clinical studies.
• Motivation to learn and use IT programs and systems that support sample management and laboratory workflows.
• Interest in developing skills in sample processing for mass spectrometry and other advanced analytical techniques.
• Desire to explore growth opportunities in related areas such as in vitro studies or other scientific groups.
• Demonstrated strong work ethic and performance-driven mindset.
• Comfort working with liquid nitrogen and various laboratory reagents.
• Ability to adapt to a task-driven environment with some flexibility in work hours based on study needs.

Work Environment

This role is based in a laboratory environment within a cohesive and highly collaborative team. The core team members have extensive tenure and experience and foster a supportive culture focused on mentorship, performance, and professional growth. The lab uses analytical balances, pipettes, homogenization equipment, liquid nitrogen, and specialized instrumentation for measuring trace levels of radioactivity. Work is primarily conducted on a first shift schedule, typically around 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a task-driven structure that allows some flexibility in hours based on study timepoints. Schedules for specific timepoints are typically known one to two weeks in advance. The position requires working approximately one weekend per month, which may involve one or both weekend days for short shifts, generally two to five hours, primarily to process human samples so that clinical participants can be released from the clinic. The environment emphasizes adherence to GLP, GCP, SOPs, and laboratory safety requirements, with a strong focus on cleanliness, organization, and careful handling of biological samples and radioactive materials.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.

Pay and Benefits

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

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Madison,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.