Junior Laboratory Associate

Role Overview

As a Junior Laboratory Associate, you will carry out routine microbiological and chemical testing on food, water, and surface samples collected from locations across Kenya, helping to safeguard public health through reliable and accurate results. Your day-to-day work will involve preparing samples, running tests, maintaining precise records, and ensuring that every stage of the laboratory workflow aligns with strict quality standards. By keeping operations efficient, well-documented, and compliant, you will directly support the laboratory’s reputation for dependable food safety analysis and its commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect food, water, and surface swab samples from both central and remote sites across Kenya, then register, label, and store them according to documented procedures.
• Prepare and analyze samples for microbial contaminants, including detection and enumeration of foodborne pathogens, using validated methods.
• Perform routine chemical tests on food and water samples to verify quality and safety parameters.
• Maintain complete laboratory records, including test results, sample logs, and documentation required for traceability and auditing purposes.
• Operate, calibrate, clean, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, reporting any malfunctions to ensure minimal downtime.
• Monitor inventory levels of reagents, consumables, personal protective equipment, and glassware, and request replenishment when stocks run low.
• Follow Good Laboratory Practices and safety protocols, while contributing to ISO 17025:2017 compliance through participation in proficiency testing, internal audits, and inter-laboratory comparisons.
• Help review and improve Standard Operating Procedures, and take part in housekeeping and self-inspection activities to keep the lab organized and audit-ready.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, or a closely related field.
• At least two years of hands-on experience working in an ISO 17025:2017 accredited testing laboratory.
• Solid practical knowledge of microbial analysis techniques, especially within food or beverage testing environments.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent documentation habits, with the ability to produce accurate, legible, and complete records.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, as well as basic laboratory information management systems.
• Ability to work efficiently in a busy laboratory setting, managing multiple tasks and following strict timelines without compromising quality.