Job Vacancy at Westgate Labs
25 June 2026
We're seeking a trainee lab technician in Northumberland
Are you friendly and well organised with an eye for detail? We’re seeking a practical, hard-working animal loving person to join our super team on the frontline of delivering animal health services from our busy postal laboratory in rural Northumberland. No previous experience is necessary as full job training will be given, just a willingness to learn and a proactive and enthusiastic approach to practical work is required. Must be physically fit to be on your feet for a few hours doing a repetitive physical activity. A passion for horses, chickens and/or farm animals is an advantage to his role.
About Westgate
For the last twenty-seven years Westgate has been leading the field in helping owners and keepers to manage the parasite control of their horses and other grazing animals. We're on a continued mission to slow the threat of wormer resistance by using evidence-based techniques to target treatments only where they’re needed. We strive to give the best customer service at every step of the process to make this as easy as possible for our clients. Our technicians (that’s you!) provide the timely results that they can trust.
We’re looking for a likeminded individual who loves to love their job to bolster our small team. Our purpose-built laboratory on the farm is a great place to work with plenty of dog walking at lunchtimes and social get togethers. We’re a good bunch. We don't do office politics or "that's not my job". We take turns to make tea and help each other out where we can.
If you think you’d fit well into this ethos and would like to be part of a progressive family run business with a caring attitude and a competitive package then we’d love to hear from you.
The Role
The key task of this role is the processing of animal samples. This is a very physical job on your feet at a sink and involves following a protocol for preparing the animal faeces (predominately horse but some farm animals too!) This is a full-time permanent role that would be Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with a 6-month probationary period and then promotion to a fully-trained Laboratory Technician.
Your support will be critical to help deliver the outstanding customer service that is the corner stone of the laboratory service. The successful applicant will be proficient in the use of basic computer processes, able to follow set protocol and able to work effectively in a small team as well as independently.
How to apply:
Please provide a covering letter and CV, highlighting relevant skills and experience and describing what attracts you to apply for the role. It would be helpful if you could indicate an approximate start date if you were to be successful, to: Operations Director, Sarah Mitchinson [email protected]
Timelines
- Closing date for applications: 12 noon, 15th July 2026
- Phone interviews: week commencing 20th July 2026
- In person interviews: Friday 31st July 2026
FULL Job Description | Westgate Laboratories
Job Title: Trainee Laboratory Technician
Hours: 40 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Permanent full-time role upon competition of 6-month probation
Salary: National living wage depending on age plus bonuses, paid holiday, pension and benefits. Starting salary is £26,412.67.
Based at Westgate Laboratories, near Morpeth, NE61 3AZ
Line Manager: Lab Team Leader
The successful applicant will be required to work within a small team to assist in the general running of Westgate Laboratories’ postal worm count service.
- Inputting customer data for sample preparation
- Preparing faecal samples for analysis & microscope work to analyse samples
- Reporting results via an online data base and using the Xero accounting programme
- Supporting other members of the team where necessary
- Posting return packs out to customers
- Stock preparation as needed
- Developing an understanding and performing the full range of tests performed at Westgate, including worm egg counts, pinworm tests, liver fluke and lungworm tests, sedimentation tests and larval culturing.
- Dealing with general enquiries by email and telephone
- Working 1 or 2 Saturdays per year to cover bank holidays
Plus a possibility of
- Working towards your SQP qualifications
- Attending shows and events to represent Westgate Labs and promote sustainable parasite control
Person Specification:
- Excellent attention to detail; able to work accurately
- Ability to prioritise own work and remain effective under pressure
- Proactive and enthusiastic work ethic
- Flexible approach to work
- Ability to follow directions and work methodically
- Computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office packages Word and Outlook and on the internet
- Good administrative and organisational skills
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well on own initiative and as part of a small team
The nature of the job makes it a physical one especially when the lab is busy with a good proportion of each day spent on feet at the sink and preparing samples. Applicants need to be aware of and prepared for this. As the lab is based in rural Northumberland, not on a bus route, access to own transport would be beneficial.