Lab Operations Assistant

Who they are

At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on.

Wild Bio is a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art labs and offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are about to enter an exciting phase of growth and are looking for a driven, and curious Lab Ops Assistant to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in.

Our values

Our work is guided by three core values that define who we are and how we approach our mission:

• Curiosity: We fuel our desire to explore the unknown, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and sparking innovation. We ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning.
• Community: We believe in the strength and support gained through collaboration and inclusion. As part of a global community, we nurture connections to drive meaningful impact for both people and planet.
• Courage: We face challenges head-on, take calculated risks, and stand up for our beliefs. Our bravery propels us to take action, even in the face of adversity.

If these values resonate with you, we invite you to join our team of passionate scientists and innovators working at the cutting edge of bioscience.

Benefits
• Group life cover x 3 of base salary
• Pension scheme with a 5% Company contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Regular company socials
• Complimentary refreshments throughout the week
• Team meals including breakfast on a Monday and lunch each Friday, creating opportunities for informal networking and team bonding
• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working opportunities
• Opportunity to work with cutting edge science

Location

We’re headquartered in Milton Park, a business and technology park in Oxfordshire. While we do offer flexible and hybrid working, we are also a small, fast-paced team working on cutting-edge science, and we believe the relationships forged and the work we do in-person will be crucial for our success. For this reason, we are asking that applicants be able to work on-site.

The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Job Description

You will be responsible for executing our established lab processes to enable the scientific teams to undertake their experiments and deliver on the company’s R&D goals. This is a key support role where attention to detail, being thorough and having high standards is imperative.

We encourage continuous improvement in all that we do and you will work closely with the Operations Team to continue to find ways to be better and operate more effectively, and efficiently.

This is a highly collaborative, high-impact role for the success of our lab and, in turn, the success of the company’s goals.

Detailed responsibilities:

• Undertake routine laboratory operational work in all our sites including:
o Autoclaving
o Glassware cleaning
o Waste disposal
o General tidy up
o Processing goods in items ensuring appropriate steps are taken with regards COSHH, stock control and communication with the broader team
• Prepare and aliquot stocks for the team, including water, media and buffers
• Ensure the stock is available for the team, as well as inventory control to ensure stocks are maintained
• Arrange shipments and pickups
• Have a proactive approach to health and safety, ensuring best practices are adhered to
• Coordinate deep cleaning of equipment as well as the weekly cleaning with the lab user
• Support with troubleshooting issues in the lab and facilities, together with other members of the operations team

The ideal candidate

Essential:
• Organisational Excellence: Strong attention to detail for maintaining accurate inventory records and following laboratory protocols
• Independent & Collaborative Working: Ability to work self-sufficiently while effectively contributing to team objectives
• Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication for lab coordination and cross-functional collaboration
• Problem-Solving Aptitude: Curiosity and initiative to identify and resolve laboratory bottlenecks
• Physical Capabilities: Ability to lift/carry heavy items and maintain prolonged standing positions during laboratory work
• Technical Proficiency: Competent with Microsoft Office applications
• Team Orientation: Build relationships across multidisciplinary teams
• Adaptability: Demonstrate curiosity and courage in navigating changing environments and embracing new challenges
• Growth Mindset: Actively seek development opportunities, share knowledge, and support colleagues’ growth
• Innovation Focus: Constructively challenge established methods to improve processes and systems

Desirable:

• Academic Qualification: Mathematics GCSE grade C or above
• Basic laboratory techniques including dilutions and media preparation
• Previous laboratory work environment experience
• R&D setting experience