Lab Assistant jobs in Nova Scotia

Lab Supervisor

About the Job

Reporting to the Lab Manager, the Lab Supervisor will lead our lab assistants and technicians across a full range of agricultural testing (e.g. soil, plant tissue, feed/forage, fertilizer, manure/compost, and water/environmental). Within this role, the Lab Supervisor will be responsible for supervising all aspects of the service lab including overseeing the daily operation of the Perennia Agriculture lab, managing workflows, and scheduling staff. In addition, the Lab Supervisor will coordinate with the Quality Assurance Lead to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulations.

Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, fully on-site in Bible Hill.

What you’ll do

Daily supervision & workflow

• Supervise the lab assistant and laboratory technician team; coordinate routine work activities and daily priorities
• Manage sample workflows and turnaround times to meet client deadlines
• Coordinate the analysis plan based on sample characteristics and client needs . Support hiring, training, development, and performance management of the bench team
• Review team members completed work to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance to all regulations
• Promote and maintain high level service standards

Quality control

• Review analytical results and ensure SOPs and QC criteria have been met.
• Perform quality control checks and proficiency testing to maintain consistency and compliance.
• Work within the lab’s ISO/IEC 17025 quality system (owned by the QA Lead); support audits and certification programs.
• Handle data compilation and QC/QA evaluation using the LIMS.

Client & reporting

• Generate, review and approve client reports with test results and interpretation.
• Communicate with clients on services, procedures, capabilities, and results.

Equipment, inventory & safety

• Ensure instruments function optimally; maintain inventory, order supplies, and prepare reagents and standards.
• Uphold lab health & safety practices, WHMIS, and proper handling of hazardous materials.

What’s needed

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in chemistry, agronomy, soil science, environmental science, or a related field required; a master’s degree (MSc) is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years analytical laboratory experience, with a minimum of three year’s experience supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience with analytical instruments in a service lab environment.
• Experience preparing and analyzing soil, plant, water and feed samples in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment would be considered an asset.
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite, LIMS and demonstrated knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 (e.g., CALA or SCC accreditation).
• Good understanding of laboratory health & safety and WHMIS.
• Strong communication, organization, and attention to detail,
• Possess excellent customer service skills.

Why Perennia

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation is Nova Scotia’s development agency focusing on the food sector. Our mission is to support success, transformation, and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood, food and beverage sectors. Perennia’s highly skilled and collaborative team focuses on superior customer service, proactive solutions, and innovative approaches to meet client needs.

Learn more at www.perennia.ca

Why This Role

• A newly created position within a fast-paced analytical service lab environment.
• Opportunity to support the management of an ISO-certified laboratory.
• Excellent group benefits, RRSP, vacation, paid professional development.

How to apply

To apply for this exciting position at Perennia, please email a combined PDF or Word cover letter and resume clearly noting relevant experience, compensation expectations and a potential start date, by noon on August 7th, 2026 to careers@perennia.ca

Only those candidates who move on to the interview phase will be contacted.

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bible Hill, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• What unique combination of laboratory leadership experience, regulatory compliance knowledge, and technical expertise makes you the best fit to lead our lab team?"

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person