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