PBMC Processing Technician

“LabRat Technician” — Chicago, IL

Location: Chicago, IL
Company: LabRat Consulting LLC
Employment Type: As-needed, with potential to grow into part-time or full-time
Pay: $25–$35/hour, depending on experience
Benefits: No benefits offered at this time. Benefits may become available if the role grows into a regular part-time or full-time position.

Come Work With the LabRats

LabRat Consulting is looking for a reliable, curious, detail-oriented PBMC Processing Technician to support clinical research sample processing in the Chicago area.

We call this role a LabRat Technician because we believe good lab work takes more than just technical skill. It takes patience, precision, curiosity, clear communication, and the willingness to follow the cheese trail all the way through the protocol.

This role will begin on an as-needed basis, scheduled around clinical research blood collections. Hours may be limited and irregular at first. Some weeks may have no scheduled work, while other weeks may require time-sensitive availability around sample collections.

There is real potential for the role to grow into more consistent part-time or full-time work as LabRat Consulting continues to expand, but applicants should understand that this is not a guaranteed full-time position at the start.

Prior PBMC processing experience is not required. We will train the right person.

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants hands-on laboratory experience and is interested in clinical research, biotech, biospecimens, cell therapy, or laboratory operations.

About LabRat Consulting

LabRat Consulting helps research sites, clinical labs, and biotech teams process high-quality human biospecimens for research use.

We care deeply about doing the work correctly. Samples matter. Documentation matters. Labels matter. Timing matters. But we also believe lab work does not have to feel cold or robotic. We are a growing startup with a practical, supportive, slightly nerdy lab culture.

Around here, we ask questions. We follow procedures. We take sample identity seriously. We communicate early when something is unclear. And when Leroy the LabRat says, “Check the label before the sample leaves the table,” we listen.

About the Role

The LabRat Technician will support the processing of human blood specimens for research use. This may include PBMC isolation, sample handling, labeling, documentation, cryopreservation support, and chain-of-custody procedures.

This work requires careful attention to detail, professional handling of human blood specimens, strong documentation habits, and the ability to follow written procedures step by step.

The ideal person is reliable, teachable, calm under time-sensitive conditions, and comfortable saying, “I want to double-check this before I move forward.”

As the company grows, this role may expand into additional responsibilities such as sample logistics, quality documentation, inventory support, lab operations, study-specific workflow setup, and occasional paid travel to support projects at other partner sites.

What You’ll Do

As a LabRat Technician, you may be responsible for:

• Processing human whole blood specimens for research use according to written SOPs and study-specific instructions.
• Supporting PBMC isolation workflows, including sample receipt, labeling, dilution, density gradient separation, centrifugation, cell layer collection, washing, counting support, cryopreservation support, and final sample preparation.
• Handling human blood specimens safely and professionally while following biosafety, universal precautions, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Accurately labeling tubes, cryovials, paperwork, and sample containers to maintain sample identity and chain of custody.
• Completing required documentation, including sample processing records, chain-of-custody forms, deviations/notes, and digital checklists.
• Following written instructions carefully and communicating promptly if a step is unclear, a sample issue occurs, or something does not match the expected workflow.
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and professional lab workspace before, during, and after sample processing.
• Using basic laboratory equipment such as pipettes, centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, tube racks, cryovials, timers, and temperature-controlled storage equipment.
• Communicating clearly with LabRat Consulting leadership regarding availability, collection timing, processing status, supply needs, and any issues that arise during an assignment.
• Using basic digital tools for scheduling, communication, and documentation, including email, text messaging, Google Drive, Google Docs/Sheets, online forms, digital checklists, and file/photo uploads when required.
• Arriving on time for scheduled assignments and completing processing within required study or sample stability timelines.
• Following confidentiality expectations related to clients, study information, donors, samples, company procedures, and research workflows.
• Supporting occasional additional lab or project-related tasks, such as supply organization, inventory checks, shipping preparation, equipment setup, or workflow setup.
• Potentially traveling to other partner sites for paid project support, training, collection support, or sample processing, if agreed upon in advance.

What We Need From You

To be considered for this role, you must:

• Be able to work in the Chicago, IL area on an as-needed basis.
• Understand that hours may be limited, irregular, and dependent on scheduled research sample collections.
• Understand that this position does not guarantee a set number of hours at the beginning.
• Be comfortable handling human blood specimens.
• Be reliable, punctual, and able to follow through on scheduled assignments.
• Have reliable transportation or a realistic plan to travel to the Chicago-area processing site.
• Be able to follow written SOPs and study-specific instructions.
• Have strong attention to detail, especially with sample labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Be comfortable using a smartphone and/or computer for scheduling, communication, documentation, and digital forms.
• Be able to communicate clearly and promptly by email, phone, and/or text.
• Be willing to complete required training before independently supporting sample processing.
• Be willing to follow all safety, biospecimen handling, confidentiality, and documentation requirements.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice to Have, But Not Required

We’d love to hear about any experience you have with:

• Degree, coursework, or training in biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, medical laboratory science, biotechnology, clinical research, or a related field.
• Prior hands-on laboratory experience.
• Experience with pipetting, centrifugation, sterile technique, aseptic technique, or sample handling.
• Experience working with blood, PBMCs, cells, clinical research samples, or human biospecimens.
• Familiarity with Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, digital checklists, and online documentation tools.
• Interest in clinical research, biotech, cell therapy, translational medicine, or laboratory operations.
• Openness to occasional paid travel for projects at other collection or processing sites.

Again, prior PBMC processing experience is not required. If you are careful, dependable, willing to learn, and serious about doing good lab work, we want to talk.

Who This Role Is Great For

This role may be a good fit if you are:

• Early in your lab or biotech career and looking for meaningful hands-on experience.
• A biology, biotech, clinical research, or medical laboratory science student or recent graduate.
• Someone with lab experience who wants flexible, as-needed work.
• A careful person who enjoys protocols, checklists, labels, and doing things the right way.
• Curious about clinical research sample processing and the biospecimen world.
• Interested in growing with a young company that is still building its systems, team, and opportunities.

This role is probably not a good fit if you need guaranteed full-time hours immediately or prefer a highly predictable schedule from day one.

Growth Opportunity

LabRat Consulting is a growing startup, and this role has significant room for learning and advancement.

As the company grows, this position may expand into additional responsibilities in:

• Sample logistics
• Clinical research operations
• Quality assurance documentation
• Inventory and supply management
• Lab workflow setup
• Training support
• Lab operations coordination

There may also be opportunities for paid travel to support collections or processing at other partner sites. This could include helping launch new workflows, supporting onsite sample processing, or assisting with study-specific lab operations outside of the Chicago area.

We are looking for someone who wants to grow with us, not just clock in and disappear.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a short note telling us why this role interests you.

Your note does not need to be fancy. We would rather hear something honest and specific than something overly polished.

A few things you can tell us:

• Why you are interested in lab work or clinical research
• Any lab, science, healthcare, or research experience you have
• Your general availability
• Whether you are comfortable with as-needed scheduling
• What makes you reliable and detail-oriented

LabRat Consulting is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from different backgrounds and experiences who are willing to learn, communicate clearly, and do careful work.