Laboratory Assistant - Chemistry

Job summary

The laboratory assistant will prepare food and environmental samples for analysis and perform routine extraction and testing procedures. They are also responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment, entering data into LIMS, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Job details

Department: LSD AFL Chemistry UnitPosition covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120 If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) General Purpose Laboratory Services Division (LSD) provides diagnostic and testing services to clients in private industry, government and academic organizations. A diverse service laboratory, LSD consists of two operational units: The Agriculture and Food Laboratory (AFL) and the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL). The Chemistry Unit (AFL) is seeking a laboratory assistant to play a broad supporting role for chromatographic based analysis, as well as other chemistry related testing approaches within the Unit. Duties and Responsibilities Preparing a variety of food and environmental samples (cleaning, chopping, grinding, weighing) and/or sub-sampling. Performing a variety of routine extraction and analytical clean up procedures and tests. Setting up instrument sequences and performing sample analysis under the guidance of laboratory technicians. Entering analytical results into LIMS. Preparing reagents and analytical standards. Verifying pipettes, thermometers, etc. and maintaining appropriate records for accreditation requirements. Discarding samples, solvents and reagents in compliance to health & safety standards and protocols. Understanding and complying with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) GLP and/or ISO 17025 guidelines, LSD guidelines and policies including Health and Safety and Quality Assurance. Ensuring laboratory cleanliness and safety. Requirements The Chemistry Unit environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative. Candidates who bring a positive and service-focused attitude, who thrive managing multiple tasks, are highly adaptive and flexible, and enjoy working within a team environment, will be most successful in this role. Two-year Community College diploma from a Laboratory Technician program in the Chemistry field, combined with 6-months of relevant laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated working experience with a variety of sample preparative techniques, extractions (liquid/liquid, solid phase, reflux and acid digestions) and rapid tests. Proven ability to work efficiently and effectively in light of new information, changing situations and different environments. Self-motivated, adaptive and able to work collaboratively in a team environment, within tight deadlines and minimal supervision. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral/written communication skills. Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety and WHMIS legislation in a laboratory environment. Experience working in an OECD accredited Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) laboratory is considered an asset. Please note there may be multiple postings with the same job title. All candidates must apply to each role they are interested in separately. Please apply to each posting you are interested in to ensure you are considered for all available positions. Employee Type: Regular Position Number: 10486058 Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 3 USW Local 4120 Wage Grid At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. Posting Date: 10/05/2026 Closing Date: 10/12/2026

What you’ll do

The laboratory assistant will prepare food and environmental samples for analysis and perform routine extraction and testing procedures. They are also responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment, entering data into LIMS, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a two-year community college diploma in a laboratory technician program and at least six months of relevant laboratory experience. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of laboratory safety legislation are required for this collaborative role.

Listed skills

• Quality assurance · Preferred
• Data entry · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Laboratory analysis
• Sample preparation
• Chromatography
• Extraction techniques
• LIMS
• Reagent preparation
• Analytical standards
• Pipette verification
• GLP compliance
• ISO 17025
• WHMIS
• Occupational health and safety
• Data entry
• Quality assurance
• Laboratory maintenance
• Laboratory Experience
• Pipettes
• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
• Productivity Improvement
• Animal Health
• Self-Motivation
• Agriculture
• Chemistry
• Reagent
• Cleanliness
• Communication
• Digestive System
• Occupational Safety And Health
• Grinding
• ISO/IEC 17025
• Safety Standards
• Quality Assurance
• Sample Analysis
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems

Job areas

• Science & Research
• Education
• Government & Public Sector
• Food & Beverage
• Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
• Laboratory Analyst
• Medical and Pathology Laboratory Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

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