Sample Prep Technician

Job Title: Sample Prep Technician

Job Description

The Sample Prep Technician works in a fast-paced food laboratory, supporting prep staff by labeling containers, washing glassware, transporting samples, and preparing samples for chemical testing. This role focuses on reducing samples to powder or liquid form for chemists, following strict regulations and documentation standards. It is a highly repetitive, detail-oriented position that offers comprehensive training in sample preparation and the opportunity to grow into other lab roles over time.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process samples in the food lab, reducing them to powder or liquid form for chemists to perform testing.
• Use liquid nitrogen and a 5 lb hammer to grind and prepare samples in accordance with laboratory procedures and safety regulations.
• Label containers and samples accurately, ensuring proper identification and traceability throughout the prep process.
• Store samples correctly and maintain organized sample inventories to support efficient tracking and retrieval.
• Transport samples from the prep area to designated locations in the laboratory, following established workflows.
• Perform glassware and vessel washing duties, including washing dishes once a week and rotating into vessel wash and other specialty areas as needed.
• Complete data entry tasks, including taking pictures of samples and uploading them into computer files a few times per month.
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations.
• Follow all company regulations, standard operating procedures, and safety guidelines while handling samples and equipment.
• Work independently while managing repetitive tasks with a high level of attention to detail and consistency.
• Demonstrate flexibility by rotating into different prep and specialty roles based on workload and fit, including sample management and sample entry activities.
• Support a production-like environment by meeting testing and sample preparation timelines required by clients.
• Average approximately 5 hours of overtime per week based on workload and business needs.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented environment and collaborate with colleagues in both prep and lab areas.

Essential Skills

• High attention to detail, especially in labeling, documentation, and tracking samples.
• Ability to stand for the majority of the workday (approximately 90% or more of the time).
• Capability to lift 4050 lbs and safely use a 5 lb hammer to grind samples.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to work under GLP regulations, with adherence verified through references.
• Comfort working independently and managing repetitive tasks, with reliability and independence verified through references.
• 1+ years of experience using Microsoft Word and Excel, including experience gained in school.
• Associates degree in Biotechnology with 2 years of industry lab experience, OR a high school diploma with 34+ years of solid work history in repetitive work environments.
• Experience or familiarity with lab assistant, sample prep, solution prep, sample management, sample receiving, and accessioning activities.
• Education in laboratory sciences such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or environmental science.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in inventory or warehouse settings, particularly in roles requiring repetitive tasks and careful tracking of items.
• Work history in restaurant or cook roles (excluding waitstaff) where fast-paced, repetitive work and attention to detail are important.
• Experience as a pharmacy technician, landscaper, delivery driver, or assembly line worker, demonstrating reliability and comfort with production-style environments.
• Interest in building a long-term career in a laboratory setting, starting in sample prep and progressing into more advanced lab roles.
• Willingness to be cross-trained into other prep and specialty areas based on performance and business needs.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and support multiple functions within the sample prep and sample management teams.

Work Environment

This role is based in a modern prep laboratory specifically built to support food and dietary supplement testing for nutritional value. The environment is fast-paced and can feel like production work, as the team must prepare samples and support testing according to client timeframes. The prep lab can be loud due to the pounding of hammers used to grind samples, but it is described as a fun and collaborative setting. You will spend most of your day on your feet, working with tools such as liquid nitrogen and hammers, and rotating through tasks like sample prep, vessel washing, and occasional data entry. The broader facility houses hundreds of employees, including a large laboratory team, and offers multiple levels and roles within sample management and sample entry, creating strong opportunities for promotion and career growth. Overtime of about 5 hours per week is common, depending on workload. Dress and conduct are aligned with a professional laboratory environment, with adherence to safety protocols and regulations as a core expectation.

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 $20.17 - $20.17/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)

Job Type & Location

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Madison,WI.

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.