Lab Assistant

Job Title: Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

This Laboratory Assistant role focuses on receiving, preparing, preserving, and disposing of samples while maintaining accurate records and supporting laboratory operations. You will work with a variety of materials, including hazardous substances, and help ensure that all samples are handled, stored, and processed according to established procedures and safety standards. This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningful work to the community while building a long-term career in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive, sort, and accession incoming samples to ensure they are correctly identified, labeled, and logged into the system.
• Retain and dispose of materials for the organization and its clients in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all samples are properly stored, including moving them to appropriate storage units, laboratory areas, or trucks as needed.
• Prepare samples for testing by performing sample prep activities such as aliquoting, mixing, and organizing specimens.
• Add correct preservatives to samples when necessary to maintain sample integrity and suitability for analysis.
• Handle hazardous materials safely, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, refined fuels such as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, residual oil, LPG, petrochemicals, industrial gases, and natural gas.
• Move approximately 20-50 boxes weekly between storage units, laboratory spaces, and vehicles, ensuring safe handling and organization.
• Dispose of samples in accordance with standard operating procedures and safety guidelines.
• Assist other laboratory personnel with analytical activities, including basic analysis tasks, data checks, and data approval processes.
• Perform simple calculations related to sample preparation, testing, and data verification.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of sample retention, disposal, and related activities.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) consistently and accurately in all aspects of sample handling and laboratory work.
• Support daily lab operations by helping process up to 100 samples per day in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure efficient workflow and timely completion of laboratory tasks.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of experience in a production environment.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience with data entry related to laboratory or production processes.
• Ability to perform sample sorting, accessioning, labeling, and basic specimen collection tasks.
• Hands-on experience with sample preparation, including organizing, handling, and prepping samples for testing.
• Understanding of sample preservation techniques and use of appropriate preservatives.
• Ability to handle hazardous materials such as crude oil, refined petroleum products, refined fuels, LPG, petrochemicals, industrial gases, and natural gas in a safe and compliant manner.
• Ability to lift and move boxes weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Proven ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), as demonstrated by previous work experience and references.
• Strong attention to detail for accurate labeling, recordkeeping, and data checking.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment processing high sample volumes.
• Basic math skills to perform simple calculations related to laboratory tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a laboratory assistant or similar lab support role.
• Familiarity with chemistry concepts and laboratory workflows.
• Experience supporting data review and approval processes in a lab setting.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and communicate clearly with coworkers.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple samples, records, and tasks simultaneously.
• Interest in building a long-term career within an industry-recognized laboratory environment.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced laboratory setting, processing up to 100 samples daily. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will work closely with a team and handle a variety of materials, including hazardous substances such as crude oil, refined fuels, LPG, petrochemicals, industrial gases, and natural gas. The role involves regular physical activity, including moving 20-50 boxes per week and lifting up to 50 pounds. Lab safety attire, including lab coat, safety glasses, gloves, and other protective equipment, will be provided to support safe handling of samples and materials. The dress code requires a shirt that covers the stomach, lower back, and upper arms, long pants, and shoes that completely cover the feet. The organization offers strong medical, dental, and vision benefits, supplemental life coverage, a 401(k) match program (with eligibility after 30 days of employment), and generous vacation and sick time benefits. Employees have the opportunity to perform work that is meaningful to their community and to grow a career with an industry-recognized employer.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Sulphur, LA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $20.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sulphur,LA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.