About the job
The immune system is a fundamental determinant of human health, governing resilience to infection and shaping susceptibility to disease and response to treatment. Advances in our understanding of immune function have catalysed some of the most transformative breakthroughs in modern medicine, underpinning a new era of immunotherapies and immune-based interventions.
At IMU Biosciences, our mission is to decode the immune system at unprecedented resolution and translate these insights into meaningful clinical impact. By redefining immune measurement and interpretation at scale, we aim to advance precision medicine, develop diagnostics that enable earlier and more targeted intervention, and unlock novel strategies to harness immunity for the prevention and treatment of disease.
We are a multidisciplinary team of scientists, software engineers and statisticians united by a shared ambition: to change the future of medicine through the power of immune data. We value diversity of thought, creativity, initiative, and a willingness to tackle hard problems in new ways. As an early-stage startup with state-of-the-art laboratories in central London, this is an exciting time to join IMU as we scale our platform and grow our team.
As a Laboratory Support Assistant at IMU Biosciences, you will be working within the laboratory operations team.
You will work closely with the lab manager and lab team to support the laboratory’s operational needs, enabling scientists to focus on generating high-quality experimental data.
Job description
As a Laboratory Support Assistant, you will play a key role in maintaining laboratory organisation, supporting stock and consumable management and ensuring waste and cleaning routines are consistently completed. Working alongside the Lab Manager and team, you will help maintain efficient laboratory operations, supporting scientists to focus on delivering robust experimental results.
The role involves a mixture of daily, weekly and ad-hoc responsibilities, including receiving deliveries, maintaining consumable stocks, supporting waste and recycling processes, preparing basic solutions, and supporting audit and compliance activities.
Our laboratory is situated in our head office in Canary Wharf. In this role you will need to be working at the lab/office in-person every weekday, during typical working hours.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day responsibilities
- Receive, unpack and correctly store laboratory deliveries
- Assist with ordering and stock management of laboratory consumables
- Autoclave laboratory waste
- Manage laboratory waste and recycling, including daily removing of waste from the laboratory
- Perform routine laboratory cleaning, including wiping down surfaces and equipment
- Support general laboratory organisation, housekeeping and upkeep
- Communicate and reinforce compliance in line with Health & Safety policies with employees and external guests, including the mandatory wearing of appropriate PPE
- Undertake routine manual handling tasks, including lifting boxes, storing supplies and relocating equipment
Weekly responsibilities
- Carry out stock checks and flag low-stock, expiring or soon-to-expire items
- Prepare and refill routine laboratory solutions (e.g. 70% ethanol, sheath fluid)
- Wash and maintain laboratory glassware
- Monitor liquid nitrogen levels and coordinate with building facilities for refilling
- Check expiry dates of consumables and reagents
- Perform weekly sink flushing
Ad-hoc responsibilities
- Support audits and compliance checks as required
- Assist with equipment deep-cleaning as needed
- Coordinate laboratory coat laundry and returns
- Provide access to the laboratory for on-site engineers and maintenance visits
- Help us maintain our My Green Lab Green certification by assisting with sustainability initiatives
Continuous improvement and scaling support
- Help identify opportunities to improve laboratory organisation and operational efficiency
- Contribute to maintaining consistent standards as the laboratory scales and workflows expand
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope, purpose and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- A minimum of two A-levels in relevant subjects (Biology or other science-related disciplines), or equivalent vocational qualifications (e.g. BTEC) and/or experience in a relevant technical, scientific, or operational support role
- Knowledge of Health, Safety and Environmental legislation as it applies to the laboratory environment including familiarity with COSHH regulations, materials safety data sheets, and other Health, Safety and Environment regulations
- Foundational knowledge of biology, chemistry, and/or biochemistry.
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Reliable, practical, and able to carry out routine tasks with consistency and accuracy.
- Ability to work both independently and effectively as part of a collaborative team.
Desirable criteria
- Previous laboratory experience
- Experience supporting stock systems, consumables and/or lab operations
- Experience supporting audits or regulated environments
- Experience working in a lab that processes human material
Benefits
- Competitive salary depending on experience
- Enroll in a pension scheme
- Bonus scheme
- Health insurance
- Group life assurance
- Group income protection
- Fast-paced startup culture where everyone’s perspective truly matters
- Excellent opportunities for advancement as the company grows
- Embedding in a talented multidisciplinary team
Location
IMU Biosciences
20 Water Street
Canary Wharf, London
E14 5GX, UK
This is an on-site role, based in the laboratory during standard working hours.
How to apply
Please apply directly on LinkedIn or send a CV and cover letter to:
Caitlin Smith - Lab Manager
caitlin@imubiosciences.com
