Laboratory Operations Assistant

About this role

LABORATORY OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

- Division: Detection

- Team: Laboratory Operations

- Start date: ASAP

- Schedule: On-site 5 days per week, Monday–Friday

- Status: Hourly Employee

- Starting compensation: $35/hour

- Visa sponsorship available: Not available

- Work location: On-Site in Cambridge, MA

ROLE OVERVIEW

SecureBio is a nonprofit working to protect the world from catastrophic pandemics. As advances in biotechnology lower the barriers to engineering pathogens, our mission is to ensure humanity’s detection and alert systems are ready. Our Detection team operates the world’s largest metagenomic biosurveillance network, performing daily sequencing of wastewater samples and nasal swabs to screen for emerging pathogens.

Behind every sample that reaches our sequencers is a lab that’s stocked, organized, and running smoothly; that’s where this role comes in. We’re looking for a Lab Operations Assistant to keep our lab supplied, organized, and compliant so our scientists can focus on the science. This role owns the logistics backbone of the lab: receiving and tracking shipments, managing inventory and ordering, keeping spaces clean and stocked, and handling hazardous waste safely and correctly. It’s a great entry point into a mission-driven biosecurity organization, with room to grow into broader lab operations responsibility over time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Receive, inspect, and log incoming packages and deliveries; match against purchase orders and flag discrepancies, damage, or missing items.

- Manage reagent, consumable, and supply inventory: monitor stock levels, place and track orders, and follow up on backorders. Track purchases for accounting purposes.

- Coordinate with vendors on ordering, pricing, invoicing questions, and account issues.

- Help maintain equipment, responding when lab staff have issues and help coordinate getting vendors on-site if any issues arise.

- Keep lab spaces, benches, and storage areas clean, organized, stocked, and ready for use, including dishware.

- Handle hazardous waste per protocol: proper segregation, labeling, storage, and coordination of pickup/disposal with EHS and waste vendors.

- Maintain accurate records of inventory, orders, deliveries, and waste handling.

- Support basic reagent and solution preparation as needed, with training from lab staff.

- Identify and lead improvement projects related to lab operations, e.g., streamlining ordering systems, inventory tracking, or space organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- High school diploma or equivalent, with 1+ years of experience in an inventory, logistics, procurement, or lab/facilities support role.

- Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail.

- Comfortable working in a lab environment, including handling chemicals and biological waste in accordance with safety protocols (training provided).

- Proactive mindset, with a willingness to speak up, flag issues, and suggest improvements to workflows and processes.

- Reliable and able to work independently on routine, recurring tasks.

- Clear written and verbal communication for coordinating with vendors and the team.

- Ability to move equipment and packages weighing up to 50 lbs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience working in a life sciences, biotech, or clinical lab setting.

- Familiarity with hazardous waste handling and disposal requirements.

- Experience with inventory, ordering, or sample-tracking systems.

- Comfort with Google Workspace (Sheets, Forms) for tracking and reporting.

- Experience with lab management systems such as Quartzy, Prendio, etc.

- Some hands-on lab experience (e.g., basic reagent or solution prep).

- Interest in operations and process-improvement work.

LOGISTICS AND BENEFITS

This is a contract to a full-time position located in our Cambridge, MA lab. This role reports to the Lab Manager.

Our employee benefits reflect our belief in investing to build the strongest possible team, in which everyone receives the trust and support they need to excel. Our benefits package for full-time hires include:

- Comprehensive healthcare: Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including health, dental & vision insurance, as well as a yearly mental health allowance for every employee.

- Flexible work schedule: Flexible work hours; unlimited paid time off (PTO) for all employees; and minimum 12 weeks fully-paid parental leave.

- Development opportunities: Generous professional development opportunities, including fully-paid conference sponsorships and a yearly development allowance for every employee.

- 401(k): Employer 401(k) match up to 4% of total salary.

- Excellent offices: Superb working environments in our Kendall Square offices, including high-quality ergonomic office equipment, snacks, and daily catered lunches.

- Relocation & commuter support: Free commuter benefits up to $250/month, plus a generous relocation allowance for employees who move to the Boston area.

REFERRAL BONUS

We offer a referral bonus of up to $2325 to individuals who refer successful candidates for this position:

To receive these bonuses, we must reasonably believe that you were responsible for referring the candidate to us (e.g. due to you introducing them to us when we didn't previously know them, or them mentioning you on their application as the reason they heard about the position).

- If you refer a candidate that we invite to an in-person work trial, you will receive $465;

- If the candidate accepts a job offer from us, you will receive a further $1860, for a total of $2325;

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