Histology / Microtomy Technician

Avantor
$30.28
paid holidays, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, Maryland, Gaithersburg
Apr 02, 2026
The Opportunity: In this role, you will report to the Site Manager and will work closely with the Avantor's Advanced Laboratory Services professionals to serve our customers by performing customized, mission-based lab work and research protocols that help return time back to science. Location: Rockville, MD Shift: Mon - Fri, 8:30 am -5:00 pm Hourly Rate: $30.28 This role is expected to conclude after 6 months. Benefits: Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellness programs. Time Off: PTO, company-paid holidays, choice holidays. Financial Well-Being: FSA, HSA, commuter benefits, 401(k), tuition assistance, employee stock purchase plan. Added Protection: Critical illness, accident, legal, identity theft, pet, auto, and home insurance. Recognition: Earn points to redeem for gifts and products. What we're looking for Education: Bachelor's degree in Histology, Biology, Life Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field required; an Associate degree with equivalent experience may be considered Experience: 2+ years of handson histology and microtomy experience in a clinical, research, pharmaceutical, or biotech laboratory Experience working in regulated environments (CLIA, GLP, GxP) Experience handling Human Biological Samples (HBS) preferred Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Technical Skills: Tissue fixation, processing, and paraffin and frozen embedding Microtomy and cryosectioning using rotary microtomes and cryostats Precision tissue sectioning and slide preparation Histological staining techniques Slide mounting, coverslipping, and quality assessment Operation and maintenance of histology equipment: Rotary microtomes Cryostats Tissue processors Paraffin embedding centers Automated slide stainers Reagent, buffer, and stain preparation per SOPs Equipment calibration, cleaning, and preventative maintenance. How you will thrive and create an impact Avantor's Advanced Laboratory Services team is a crucial part of the Avantor Services group serving over 500 customers in biopharma, pharmaceutical, educational, industrial, and high-tech industries with customizable, flexible solutions and end-to-end laboratory operations support. In this role you will: This position supports histology and microtomy operations within a regulated laboratory environment by performing handson tissue processing, sectioning, staining, and sample management activities that enable scientific progress and return time back to research teams. This role is ideal for a detailoriented histology professional who thrives in a collaborative, customerembedded laboratory setting. Perform histology and microtomy procedures, including tissue fixation, processing, paraffin and frozen embedding, microtome and cryostat sectioning, and slide mounting. Operate, clean, calibrate, and perform routine maintenance on histology equipment, including rotary microtomes, cryostats, tissue processors, paraffin embedding centers, and automated slide stainers. Evaluate tissue section quality, thickness, and integrity; troubleshoot technical and equipmentrelated issues to ensure accurate and reproducible results. Prepare reagents, buffers, stains, and solutions; maintain laboratory readiness by organizing the workspace and verifying equipment. Support laboratory workflows by preparing materials and assisting senior laboratory staff with research and testing activities. Receive, accession, label, and track biological samples using LIMS or manual tracking systems; verify documentation and maintain chainofcustody records. Assign appropriate storage conditions and prepare samples for internal transfer or shipment in coordination with shipping and receiving teams. Handle Human Biological Samples (HBS) in compliance with biosafety, ethical, and regulatory requirements. Manage HBS inventory, documentation, and storage across ambient, -80C, and -180C liquid nitrogen systems. Execute proper HBS disposal procedures and maintain accurate inventory records, equipment logs, and KPI documentation. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Why Avantor? Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today! Pay Transparency: The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $45,000.00 - $72,450.00 Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location. EEO Statement: We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.comand let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster. Privacy Policy: We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests. 3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy: By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.