Laboratory Assistant

Pertemps are delighted to be working with our valued public sector client to recruit a Laboratory Assistant on a temporary basis.
 
📍 Location: Edinburgh East 
🕒 Hours: Monday to Friday, (36 hours per week)
💷 Pay Rate: £14.02 per hour 
📅 Duration: Temporary ongoing (3 months with possible extension) 
🔑 Start Date: Immediate  
 
We’re looking for a reliable and motivated Laboratory Assistant to join our busy team in Edinburgh East. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory environment, supporting scientific staff with essential day-to-day tasks that help keep operations running smoothly. 
You’ll play a key role in supporting sample handling, equipment care, and general laboratory upkeep, ensuring high standards of safety and organisation are maintained. 
 
A driver’s licence is required for this role!
 
About the Role
In this varied and active role, you’ll be a vital part of the lab’s daily operations, helping ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Help prepare, collect, and clean laboratory equipment, glassware, sampling bottles, and storage containers. 

• Organise and transfer samples from reception to the correct storage areas. 

• Safely dispose of old samples following set procedures. 

• Arrange safe storage of samples needed for future reference and assist with their return to customers when requested. 

• Maintain stock levels of materials such as glassware, chemicals, and gases. 

• Assist in keeping the laboratory clean and tidy – including communal areas, benches, cupboards, fume cupboards, corridors, and wash-up/storage spaces. 

• Provide delivery and collection services for the lab (e.g. transporting samples when required). 

• Support scientific staff with basic laboratory tasks and analysis where appropriate. 

 
What We’re Looking For 
You don’t need to be an experienced technician to succeed – we’re more interested in your practical approach, organisation skills, and willingness to learn. Ideally, you will have: 

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific subject. 

• Some experience working in a laboratory, preferably in a UKAS-accredited environment. 

• A careful, methodical approach with great attention to detail. 

• Strong teamwork and communication skills. 

• A valid driving licence (desirable but not essential). 

• If you’re enthusiastic, organised, and looking to grow your skills in a laboratory environment, we’d love to hear from you. 

 
👉 Ready to take the next step? Apply now via this advert and become part of a team that values your contribution.