Laboratory Operations Technician

Responsibilities

• Perform glassware cleaning, drying, and autoclaving according to established protocols
• Conduct routine decontamination of workspaces, including Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs), Ventilated Balance Enclosures (VBEs), and fume hoods
• Dispose of hazardous and contaminated waste in accordance with safety guidelines
• Maintain general lab cleanliness, including benches, shared equipment, and common areas
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively replenish lab supplies and consumables
• Receive, unpack, and properly store incoming materials and chemicals
• Perform basic troubleshooting of lab equipment and infrastructure
• Execute routine upkeep tasks such as freezer defrosting and gas handling
• Prepare buffers, media, and common reagents according to established protocols

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field
• 1-3 years of experience in pharmaceutical or academic research laboratory settings
• Experience with troubleshooting and maintenance of complex analytical instruments
• Familiarity with lab safety practices and chemical waste disposal
• Ability to follow SOPs and maintain accurate records
• Ability to lift and move boxes up to 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a pharmaceutical research laboratory setting
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation such as chromatography, mass spec, spectroscopy, or thermal analysis
• Previous experience working in GLP-compliant environments

About the Company

Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind by creating the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth.