Lab Technician

Job Overview

The Lab Technician will be responsible for receiving and processing human blood specimens collected as part of a longitudinal clinical research study.

Responsibilities include harvesting plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), preparing specimens for long-term biobanking, maintaining accurate specimen inventories, and ensuring all laboratory procedures are completed according to study protocols and quality standards.

This position will work both independently and alongside another Lab Technician depending on the laboratory schedule.

Schedule & Hours

This is a part-time contract position (10–20 hours per week, Monday–Friday). Blood specimens are delivered to the laboratory daily and are expected to arrive by 10:30 AM, so a 10:00 AM start time is preferred to prepare the laboratory and receive incoming shipments.

Daily responsibilities include receiving specimens, processing blood into plasma, serum, and PBMCs, completing biobanking activities, and documenting specimen locations. The workday ends once all specimens have been processed and biobanked. Most shifts are approximately 6.5 hours, though the length may vary depending on daily specimen volume.

Responsibilities

• Receive and accession incoming human blood specimens
• Process whole blood into plasma, serum, and PBMCs
• Perform PBMC isolation using density gradient centrifugation (Lymphoprep/Ficoll experience preferred)
• Aliquot biospecimens into cryovials using aseptic technique
• Biobank specimens and maintain accurate storage maps and inventory records
• Communicate specimen storage locations and inventory updates to the Study Manager
• Prepare specimens for long-term cryogenic storage
• Maintain complete documentation and chain of custody for all specimens
• Operate laboratory equipment including centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, pipettes, and freezers
• Follow laboratory SOPs, HIPAA requirements, and biosafety procedures
• Assist with inventory management and laboratory organization
• Work collaboratively with research staff while maintaining the ability to work independently

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous laboratory experience required
• Experience processing human blood specimens required
• Experience working in a research laboratory required
• Proficiency with pipetting techniques and laboratory best practices
• Experience operating laboratory centrifuges
• Experience working within a biosafety cabinet
• Knowledge of HIPAA and specimen confidentiality requirements
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to accurately document laboratory procedures
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritize work and meet processing timelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field
• Experience isolating PBMCs
• Experience with clinical research or biobanking
• Mobile phlebotomy or venipuncture experience
• Experience handling human biospecimens
• Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
• Experience maintaining laboratory inventories and specimen tracking systems

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods while working in a biosafety cabinet
• Comfortable performing repetitive pipetting and fine motor tasks
• Ability to wear appropriate laboratory PPE

We're Looking For Someone Who Is

• Self-motivated and dependable
• Highly organized
• Comfortable working independently
• Collaborative and communicative
• Detail-oriented
• Timely and reliable
• Passionate about research and scientific quality

Join a small, collaborative laboratory team dedicated to advancing cutting-edge biomarker and senescence research in older adults. This part-time position offers a flexible schedule of 10–20 hours per week with guaranteed weekly shifts released approximately one month in advance, making it easy to balance alongside another position.

As our research program continues to grow, there will be opportunities for additional hours and increased responsibilities. You'll play an important role in building a growing research biobank from the ground up while working in a state-of-the-art laboratory located in Philadelphia's Cira Centre with convenient access to public transportation.

Pay: $23.67 - $28.50 per hour

Benefits

• Flexible schedule

Application Question(s)

• Do you have experience processing human blood specimens?
• How many years of laboratory experience do you have?
• Are you available to work on-site in Philadelphia (Cira Centre) Monday–Friday?
• Which of the following do you have experience with? List all that apply.

PBMC Isolation

Plasma/serum processing

Centrifuges

Micropipettes

Biobanking

Clinical research

Phlebotomy

• Briefly describe your experience working with human blood specimens.

Work Location: In person