Job Title: Lab Support Technician 
Salary: £27,000 to £29,000 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract, Full Time 
Fixed Term Contract Length: 12 months 
Hours: 37.5 hours per week 
Location: GSK, Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, England, DL12 8DT

We currently have an opening for a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave, working in our laboratories for a pharmaceutical client based in the Barnard Castle area. This is a varied role that requires an individual with experience in a GxP environment and hands-on operator experience in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The successful candidate will support the client analyst across several key laboratory functions.

Main Duties

Key responsibilities include the preparation of eluents, reagents, and mobile phases, as well as consumable stock management. The role also involves managing samples, including booking in, maintaining, and archiving batch paperwork. Additionally, the position includes performing laboratory instrument performance qualification (PQ) testing, such as on HPLC systems, balances, and pH meters. Support for calibration laboratory activities, including tracking items sent offsite for calibration, will also be required, along with managing laboratory waste and disposals.

Main duties focus on ensuring all tasks are completed according to schedule, avoiding any negative impact on laboratory operations. Scheduled equipment PQ testing must be carried out in line with the established plan. The role demands flexibility to cover any activity that supports overall business needs. The successful candidate is expected to maintain 100% compliance with Mitie Learning and client platforms. Furthermore, they will be accountable for consistently applying ALCOA+ principles, ensuring that all actions and documentation are attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, and accurate.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone educated to HND level in a science-related subject, preferably chemistry, with a minimum of one year's demonstrable experience in a GxP environment. Proficiency in HPLC and familiarity with the Empower data handling platform are essential. Experience with MERPs or SAP would be advantageous, though not required. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, hardworking, and eager to contribute. Strong confidence and communication skills are important for challenging behaviours and driving continuous improvement. The candidate must be capable of working under pressure, independently, and without supervision, while maintaining a customer-focused attitude and functioning well within a team. Attention to detail and the ability to work methodically within strict processes and procedures are also critical for success in this role.