About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Summary

Confidential Client is seeking a Lab Research Assistant 1 to support orthopedic research operations in Chicago, IL. This is an entry-level, hands-on laboratory role that supports sample processing, basic experimental tasks, data recording, and routine lab maintenance under direct supervision. This posting includes a pay range as required by applicable law.

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What You’ll Do

• Perform basic laboratory techniques (pipetting, weighing, centrifugation) under supervision
• Prepare solutions, buffers, and basic reagents following written protocols
• Process, label, store, and log biological specimens (fluids, tissue, slides, cells) according to protocol
• Operate and document usage of standard lab equipment after training (balances, microscopes, water baths, autoclave)
• Maintain clean, stocked workstations and restock shared tools and supplies
• Receive and unpack lab shipments and update inventory logs
• Accurately record procedural steps and results in lab notebooks or electronic systems as instructed
• Observe and practice lab safety procedures, including proper PPE and chemical handling
• Attend lab meetings, shadow senior staff, and ask questions to develop skills and support team goals
• May assist with basic training for other lab staff

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Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent — OR 2 years of laboratory experience in lieu of a degree
• Experience: At least 1 year of laboratory experience preferred (academic, healthcare, or research environments)
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Knowledge of basic laboratory instruments and common lab software programs
  • Proficiency with standard experimental design and good laboratory practices
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in sample handling and record-keeping
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analytic skills and willingness to learn

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an academic, healthcare, or research laboratory setting
• Familiarity with microscopy, sample processing workflows, and inventory control

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Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Frequent standing or walking during lab activities; occasional lifting/carrying of items up to 25 lbs
• Requires fine motor skills for pipetting, microscopy, PPE handling, and data entry
• Good vision and manual dexterity to operate instruments and record data accurately
• Work involves handling chemicals, biological samples, and laboratory equipment — adherence to safety protocols is required

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Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $18.87 - $26.66 per hour (range provided by Confidential Client and reflects anticipated wage for this role; actual offers may vary based on experience, education, and internal equity)
• This is a full-time opportunity (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0). Standard schedule: Shift 1 — 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (8-hour shift).
• Confidential Client offers benefits; details will be provided during the hiring process.

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Location & Employment Type

• Job Location: Chicago, IL (on-site)
• Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.