Avantor Services provides a broad range of on-site laboratory services for major pharmaceutical customers. We work collaboratively with our customers to deliver essential scientific and operational support, enabling research teams to focus on their core activities while improving laboratory efficiency and productivity.
The opportunity
We are seeking a Material Technician to join the Drug Substance (DS) team within Biopharmaceutical Development at our client’s Cambridge Discovery Centre.
This is a lab‑based, multidisciplinary role that underpins early drug development programs through material coordination, shipment logistics, internal sample management, and cold‑storage inventory ownership. The role plays a critical part in ensuring materials move efficiently, compliantly, and without delay, allowing scientists to remain focused on research and development delivery.
All activities are carried out in accordance with Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) requirements and Good Laboratory Standards (GLS).
About you
If you have a life sciences background and are keen to broaden your experience beyond traditional lab work into sample logistics, materials management, and cross-functional coordination, this role offers a strong development opportunity.
You will apply your scientific understanding in a real-world drug development environment, while gaining hands-on exposure to shipping coordination, cold-storage inventory ownership, laboratory systems, and process improvement activities.
With training and on-the-job support provided, this position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn new—but closely related—areas, building a broader skill set while remaining connected to science-driven work.
Key responsibilities
Material coordination & shipping logistics
- Coordinate the shipment of materials for the DS group, including:
- Plasmid DNA
- Control monoclonal antibodies
- Non‑GLP and GLP toxicology lots
- CLD cell lines
- PPS bulk materials
- Analytical samples for external assays (HCP, DNA, ProA, ISF, bioassay, density)
- Prepare, review, and manage all shipment documentation, ensuring full accuracy to prevent customs delays
- Act as the primary liaison between:
- Internal DS scientists
- Sample Dispatch Unit (SDU)
- Avantor logistics stakeholders
- Monitor, track, and follow up on complex and international shipments, resolving SDU or customs queries to avoid project delays
Internal sample & material management
- Oversee internal sample tracking and management, including DLIMS submissions
- Support aliquoting and labelling activities, ensuring samples are correctly prepared for storage and dispatch
- Maintain alignment with internal standards for sample traceability, handling, and documentation
Cold‑storage inventory ownership
Take ownership of departmental freezer inventories (-80°C, -20°C, +4°C), including:
- Receipt and logging of new materials
- Fulfilment of material requests
- Stock tracking and usage monitoring
- Supporting routine disposal activities
- Supporting routine freezer cleaning
Ensure compliance with all cold and ultra‑cold storage standards and inventory integrity requirements.
Systems support & cross‑functional collaboration
- Act as the primary contact for scientists regarding Avantor shipping systems and storage workflows
- Troubleshoot system or process issues and escalate where necessary
- Collaborate with scientists, Avantor teams, and SDU to drive continuous improvement in shipping and material management processes
Skills, knowledge & competencies
- Educated to HND or BSc level in a Life Science or related discipline
- Understanding of protein structure is advantageous
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organisational, planning, and time‑management skills
- Excellent communication skills with confidence engaging across scientific and operational teams
- Customer‑focused, collaborative, and service‑oriented mindset
- Flexible and proactive, with the ability to handle multiple responsibilities and priorities
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Knowledge and understanding of Good Laboratory Standards (GLS)
Why Avantor?
Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people’s lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!
