Laboratory Technician

Making, and testing, of lab batches for our adhesive's product line. Preparation, testing, and evaluations are done against internal standards and/or automotive customer specifications. Data is kept in an electronic lab notebook and may be issued as a formal report. Organization of data/test work is essential. Knowledge of Microsoft computer applications is required. Strong verbal skills. Daily work will be assigned, and that work will be prioritized, and timelines must be adhered too. The candidate must be able to work with changing priorities. 100% full time, on site, is required.

This role supports new product development and existing product maintenance and requires working in close cooperation with chemists, other technicians, customers and suppliers. The incumbent will actively participate in the development, testing, qualification and scale-up of adhesive formulations:

Co-develop new products according to customer needs, specifications and business strategy

Responsible for making adhesives batches, conducting lab tests on paste and cured adhesives, organizing and preparing substrates, data collection and documentation

Work in teams for successful scale-up of products, according to existing procedure and process capabilities

Collaborate with others to learn best lab practices, become competent to complete lab responsibilities and work independently, safely and efficiently

Ensures product quality and performance standards meet customer needs by staying abreast of customer performance requirements and specifications

Understands environmental, health and safety practices and work proactively to improve the level of safety in R&D, must be a positive example for others

Evaluate new materials or components

Maintain lab equipment as ERP (equipment responsible person)

Conduct experiments with high quality, analyze data and understand results

Essential Functions:

Preparing intermediates and adhesive batches
Daily lifting and moving of pails up to 50 lbs.
Weighing raw materials and charging them into mixers
Scraping mixer bowls, removing adhesives and cleaning out mixers
Transfer and packaging samples into containers, condition environments

Characterizing / testing adhesives
Completing liquid property testing (viscosity, rheology, sag panels)
Applying adhesives to substrates using manual or auto caulking guns
Performing various mechanical property tests

Lab preparation
Inventory, order, organize and distribute materials regularly.
Keep lab benches clean, dispose materials and replenish supplies from storage area.
Equipment responsibility: daily calibration or verification and recording

Project preparation and documentation
Use Electronic Lab Notebook to document plans, work and data daily.
Conduct and document health and safety audits

Qualifications:

High school diploma/GED is required, an associate or bachelor's degree in the STEM field is preferred

Previous working laboratory experience in an industrial or R&D environment is required

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and passion for working safely and efficiently

Self-motivated, able to work in a fast-paced environment, eager to learn new skills, and has practiced ability to effectively prioritize, organize, and plan responsibilities

Good teamwork and interpersonal skills, enjoys working with a diverse team of people

Proficient with the use of computers and with Microsoft Products - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Microsoft Teams Meetings

Comfortable entering data and doing analysis in Excel or other software, with the ability to identify when data is abnormal

Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written

Able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds

Knowledge or working experience with polymers is preferred, but not required