Student Assistant - MSAT

Are you studying biotechnology, biochemistry or a related discipline and looking to put your knowledge into practice? We are looking for a Student Assistant to support daily laboratory operations and experimental activities in our Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT) Upstream and Downstream Labs. You will contribute to laboratory preparation, sample handling and documentation while gaining hands-on experience with cell culture and protein purification activities under appropriate training and supervision.

About the department

The role is anchored in the MSAT Upstream and Downstream Labs, which are part of the Drug Substance MSAT department. DS MSAT provides scientific support for technology transfers and clinical and commercial processes within cell culture and protein purification. Our laboratories support this work through laboratory-scale activities, studies and experimental data.

You will work alongside scientists and laboratory technicians across both labs, supporting practical tasks that help keep laboratory activities running reliably and safely.

The role

You will support routine operations and laboratory studies across upstream and downstream activities. The position averages approximately 15 hours per week, with a schedule of one weekday each week and both Saturday and Sunday every third weekend. As a rule, each working day is eight hours. Evening work may be required, and afternoon/evening shifts may also be an option if you prefer to work at those times. Together with our other student assistants, you will also be expected to cover public holidays. Tasks will be assigned according to your training, and you will work independently only after documented training and within approved procedures and defined task limits.

Your tasks will include

• Prepare tubing assemblies, feed and media bottles, labels, buffers and other materials for upstream laboratory runs.
• Assist with bioreactor and wave-bag activities, including sampling, harvest support, dismantling, cleaning and delivery of samples to QC or AD.
• Support handling of manufacturing cell-culture samples and satellite activities, including feed and media collection, BioHT analysis and recording results.
• Prepare standard and study-specific buffers and assist with downstream studies, such as buffer studies, resin retesting, intermediate hold-time sampling and mixing studies.
• Perform routine equipment checks, pH and conductivity calibration, and cleaning-in-place of ÄKTA systems within your documented training.
• Collect, aliquot and pack samples from production.
• Enter and maintain experimental and sample data in approved systems, such as Excel, Statistica and MFCS, and support logbook management, scanning, archiving and organization of laboratory documentation.
• Help maintain laboratory readiness through glassware washing, cleaning, restocking, organization of freezers and cold rooms, and updates to chemical and waste records.
• Support purchasing, stock monitoring, receipt and shipment of equipment, and practical coordination with suppliers and external partners.

Qualifications

• You are currently enrolled in a relevant bachelor’s degree programme, for example biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science or a related discipline. You have a basic understanding of laboratory work and safe handling practices. Previous experience in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or process-development laboratory is an advantage, but not a requirement.

• You are interested in hands-on laboratory work and understand that careful preparation, accurate documentation and good housekeeping are essential to reliable experimental results.

• You can follow written procedures and document your work accurately. You ask questions when instructions or conditions are unclear, pause work when needed, and promptly raise safety, quality, equipment or data-integrity concerns with your supervisor.

• You are reliable, organized and willing to learn. You enjoy working as part of a team and can carry out assigned tasks independently after training. You are comfortable contributing to both routine laboratory tasks and experimental activities.

• You can communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.