Entry Level Microbiologist Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Analytical Resource Laboratories (ARL) is a third-party contract laboratory specializing in microbiological and chemical testing of food, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. ARL has been offering analytical testing services for 23 years. We are looking for a team member with a background in analytical chemistry, microbiology, biophysics, or a closely related field, who is highly motivated, has great desire to learn, a quick learner, competent, meticulous, tech-savvy with excellent communication and organizational skills, personable, and proactive individual who is willing to wear multiples hats and embrace a "can-do" attitude to join our laboratory.
Our team is seeking a team player who can thrive in a fast-paced and high pressured work environment to join our robust, hardworking, intelligent, responsible, adaptive, positive, accountable, and amazing team! The successful candidate has the drive to thrive in a fast-paced, high pressured work environment. This is an excellent entry-level position for graduates in Analytical Chemistry or a closely related field who wish to gain valuable experience and cultivate industry knowledge and skills in a third-party laboratory industry.
Position Overview
Under the direction of the Chemistry Team Lead and/or Laboratory Manager, the Chemistry Lab Technician III serves as an advanced technical contributor responsible for performing complex laboratory testing, supporting laboratory operations, troubleshooting instrumentation, and serving as a technical resource to the laboratory team. This position operates with minimal supervision and is expected to independently prioritize work, resolve routine technical issues, mentor junior laboratory personnel, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining the highest standards of quality, regulatory compliance, and data integrity.
Responsibilities
Laboratory Testing & Technical Operations

• • Independently perform complex laboratory preparation and analytical testing in accordance with ARL SOPs and validated methods with minimal supervision
  • Execute testing assignments requiring advanced technical proficiency and judgment
    Coordinate and prioritize multiple testing assignments to meet client deadlines
  • Assist with laboratory workflow planning to ensure efficient utilization of personnel and equipment
  • Perform all other duties and special projects as assigned
  • Ensure testing activities are completed accurately and on or before required due dates

Analytical Techniques & Instrumentation

• • Demonstrate advanced proficiency across multiple analytical techniques and instrumentation, including HPTLC, HPLC, ICP-MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, ISE, titration, ELISA, and related laboratory technologies
  • Perform advanced troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation and coordinate repairs when necessary
  • Perform and document instrument qualification, calibration, maintenance, and performance verification
  • Assist with installation, qualification, and implementation of new laboratory instrumentation
  • Serve as a technical resource for instrumentation questions and troubleshooting

Sample and Chemical Handling & Identification

• • Maintain complete accountability for sample integrity throughout all phases of testing
  • Verify proper sample identification, storage, handling, and chain of custody
  • Ensure chemicals, standards, reagents, and reference materials are appropriately prepared, labeled, and maintained

Documentation, Data Review & Reporting

• • Prepare complete, accurate, and compliant laboratory documentation
  • Review analytical data for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to submission
  • Perform calculations, data verification, trend evaluation, and documentation review with minimal oversight
  • Assist in investigating out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), deviations, and laboratory discrepancies
  • Ensure complete data integrity and traceability across laboratory documentation
  • Communicate testing status, technical concerns, and project progress to laboratory leadership

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• • Maintain full compliance with GLP, GMP, ISO, and applicable regulatory requirements
  • Participate in internal audits, external audits, and regulatory inspections
  • Assist with deviation investigations, corrective actions (CAPA), and root cause analysis
  • Identify compliance risks and proactively recommend corrective actions
  • Support laboratory audit readiness initiatives

Laboratory Housekeeping, Safety & Waste Management

• • Promote laboratory safety through adherence to PPE, chemical hygiene, and waste disposal procedures
  • Maintain laboratory organization and cleanliness to support efficient operations
  • Assist with chemical inventory and hazardous waste management
  • Report safety concerns and recommend corrective actions

Training, Competency & Professional Development

• • Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to Lab Technician I and II personnel
  • Assist in competency evaluations and technical skill development
  • Support onboarding of new laboratory employees
  • Maintain proficiency through continuing education and required training
  • Stay current on analytical technologies and industry best practices

Leadership, Collaboration & Accountability

• • Serve as a technical resource for laboratory staff
  • Provide day-to-day technical guidance while supporting Team Leads and laboratory management
  • Assist leadership with laboratory scheduling and workflow coordination when requested
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and laboratory performance
  • Assist with development and revision of SOPs, work instructions, spreadsheets, forms, and technical documentation
  • Demonstrate ownership of assigned laboratory operations and proactively identify opportunities for improvement
  • Foster collaboration across departments while maintaining professional communication

Job Requirements & Expectations
Workplace & Professional Expectations

• • Communicate professionally and effectively with clients, team members, and leadership
  • Contribute to a positive, ethical, and team-oriented work environment
  • Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and accountability
  • Represent ARL professionally in appearance, conduct, and communication
  • Remain calm, focused, and effective under pressure in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment
  • Work efficiently both independently and as part of a cross-functional team
  • Demonstrate strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Scheduling & Availability

• • Available to work five (5) days per week, including weekends as needed
  • Ability to meet changing scheduling demands based on sample load
  • Adhere to ARL attendance, scheduling, and time-off requirements

Physical & Compliance Requirements

• • Able to lift at least 50 pounds
  • Willing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
  • Ability to pass background check and drug testing
  • Adhere to ARL drug-free workplace, attendance, and time-off policies

Technical & System Expectations

• • Competency in industry-related laboratory techniques and procedures
  • Working knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and laboratory equipment

Hiring Requirements & Qualifications
Education & Background

• • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a closely related scientific field or equivalent experience in industry performing analytical QC testing.

Experience

• • 4-7 years of relevant analytical chemistry laboratory experience
  • Demonstrated experience operating multiple analytical platforms independently

Technical & Professional Competencies

• • Advanced understanding of analytical chemistry principles
  • Advanced proficiency with HPTLC, HPLC, ICP-MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, ISE, titration, ELISA, or equivalent instrumentation
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for analytical instrumentation
  • Experience performing method validation and verification activities
  • Experience reviewing analytical data for technical accuracy and compliance
  • Strong understanding of GLP, GMP, ISO 17025, and laboratory quality systems
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor laboratory personnel
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision
  • Proven ability to identify process improvement opportunities

Additional Requirements

• • Fluency in English (verbal and written) required
  • U.S. work authorization required; ARL does not offer visa sponsorship

Reporting Structure

• • Reports to: Chemistry Team Lead and Chemistry Manager

COMPENSATION RATE DEPENDENT ON RELEVANT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
ABOUT ARL
Analytical Resource Laboratories LLC is a third-party quality testing laboratory in the food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical industry. It was established on January 1, 2000. In 2015, ARL partnered with Tentamus North America, Inc., a network of laboratories headquarter in Germany, to form International Contract Laboratories, LLC. We celebrate 22 years of serving the industry. We offer microbiology and chemistry testing services, as well as method development, to manufacturers, retailers, raw material providers, and even consumers. On June 1, 2021, ARL acquired EuTech Scientific Services, Inc. ARL laboratories are located in Utah, Arizona, Florida, and New Jersey. We continue to grow and expand to serve our partners across the United States.
ARL's motto of "Doing it right, on time, every time," not only means executing the right work to produce quality results professionally but doing what is right legally, morally, and ethically. Our greatest strength is in walking the moral high ground that drives our work, relationships, character, and leadership. They are reflected in the way we build our success and in the way we treat each other and our colleagues in the business, even our competitors. Doing it right is what sets us apart.
VISION
"To be the best quality lab in the industry founded on a championship culture of leaders who inspire good and elevate life wherever we go, doing what we exist to do"
MISSION
We exist to provide experience, professionalism, and value in world-leading analytical testing services at the highest level of integrity, reliability, timeliness, and accuracy by the best and greatest people.
VALUES
Experience: We stand for the highest level of performance, proficiency, and drive because ...
... we perfect our craft and seek learning anywhere, anytime.
... we don't just avoid errors; we achieve excellence.
... we state our intentions and take deliberate actions.
... we embrace change and better ways of thinking.
This is how we do it right.
Professionalism: We manifest total commitment to doing our absolute best because ...
... we exercise integrity, honesty, and transparency.
... we are effective, accountable, and reliable.
... we demonstrate that leadership is an active choice, not a passive position.
... we deliver accuracy and quality in all our work.
... we take ownership of our stewardship.
This is who we are.
Value: We empower ourselves to bring value to those whose lives we impact by ...
... building bridges of partnerships and service.
... inspiring moral discipline and character.
... creating authentic chemistry in our relationships.
... elevating the world through the results of our work.
The world is a better place because we are here.
OUR WORK
We often hear the phrase "Don't overpromise and under-deliver." We do not make promises we cannot keep and represent what we aren't. ARL is committed to truth and honesty. In our partnerships, our on-time timeline is driven by professional ethics to do the right work to produce correct results. We strive to fulfill the quality needs of our partners by setting reasonable expectations and realistic results. In our journey with our team, we do the same. No, we do not overpromise and under-deliver. Our goal is to deliver the unexpected. We set performance standards and realistic expectations for growth from advancement to progression. When you grow, we grow. When you perform, we deliver. We want you to trust that we will take your needs seriously without sacrificing integrity. It is the same conviction we take to our partners. There is no double standard.
OUR RELATIONSHIPS
When we say we care, we actually do something about it. We personally care about our success and how we serve yours. ARL is available for our partners as best as humanly possible, but we are present any time for our people. We make people care our priority, personally and inherently. Our commitment to long-lasting relationships started long before you joined our team. This is not just business for us; it is who we are. Doing it right and doing what is right are our creed to build a better everything for you and for the ARL family.
OUR CHARACTER
ARL's team is hand-picked.