Research And Development Assistant

Kerakoll Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kerakoll Group in Dubai is seeking an R&D Operator to support product development, maintenance and raw-material evaluation through laboratory trials, sample preparation and testing.

You will collect data, document observations, and ensure traceability while adhering to safety and quality procedures. The role operates under the R&D Manager or Senior R&D Operator.

Experience in a lab environment and interest in construction-chemical products will help you excel in this hands-on position.

Qualifications

• Technical diploma in Chemistry or related discipline with relevant experience.
• 2–4 years’ experience in admixture laboratory or concrete trials is ideal.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory testing and sample preparation.
• Ability to work in a structured, timely laboratory environment.
• Interest in construction-chemical products and industrial processes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples, formulations, laboratory batches and test specimens per trial plans and safety rules.
• Perform laboratory tests, characterization activities and evaluations for development, reformulation and product maintenance.
• Record experimental conditions, data, observations and results accurately in project records.
• Maintain traceability of materials, samples and retained project samples.
• Support laboratory trials by preparing materials, collecting data and documenting observations.
• Assist in preparing technical reports and data summaries for project reviews and transfers.
• Identify and report safety risks, deviations or data issues promptly.
• Maintain R&D equipment, materials and workspace per procedures.
• Develop competence in product families and equipment as directed by management.

Skills

Sample preparation

Formulation work

Lab test execution

Data recording

Lab equipment use

Education

Technical diploma in Chemistry

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Authorized laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Summary

The R&D Operator supports product development, product maintenance and raw-material evaluation through the accurate execution of laboratory trials, sample preparation, testing and technical documentation. The role provides reliable experimental data and practical support to R&D projects, validation activities and industrialization under the direction of the R&D Manager or Senior R&D Operator.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare samples, formulations, laboratory batches and test specimens according to approved trial plans, methods and safety instructions.
• Perform assigned laboratory tests, characterization activities and comparative evaluations for development, reformulation, product-maintenance and raw-material-evaluation projects.
• Record experimental conditions, raw data, observations, calculations and results accurately, contemporaneously and completely in approved project records or laboratory systems.
• Maintain traceability of raw materials, samples, formulations, test specimens and retained project samples.
• Support laboratory and plant trials by preparing materials, collecting data, documenting observations and completing assigned technical follow-up activities.
• Support preparation of technical reports, data summaries, samples and documentation required for project reviews, validation and R&D-to-QC transfer.
• Identify and promptly report unexpected experimental results, equipment issues, sample-identity concerns, safety risks, deviations from the trial plan or data-recording errors.
• Maintain assigned R&D equipment, materials, reagents, workspaces and records in accordance with applicable laboratory, safety and document-control procedures.
• Develop competence in the product families, materials, methods and equipment assigned by the R&D Manager; specialization in organic or inorganic product families may be assigned

Decision authority

• Executes only activities, methods and equipment operations for which trained and authorized.
• May make routine adjustments explicitly permitted by an approved trial plan or method; all other changes require direction from the Senior R&D Operator or R&D Manager.
• Escalate to a senior where safety, sample identity, equipment condition, test validity or data integrity is compromised.
• Cannot approve formulas, technical conclusions, methods, specifications, transfer packages, project gates or production changes.

Key interfaces

• Senior R&D Operator, R&D Manager
• Success measures
• Timely and accurate execution of assigned trials and tests.
• Completeness, traceability and right-first-time quality of experimental records.
• Compliance with safety, trial, sample-management and equipment procedures.
• Timely escalation of anomalies and effective upkeep of assigned laboratory areas.
• Progression of individual technical qualification against the R&D competence matrix.

Required qualifications and experience

• Technical diploma in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Laboratory Technology, Materials Science or related discipline; a degree is preferred but not mandatory where equivalent relevant experience is demonstrated.
• 2 to 4 years’ experience in admixture laboratory (formulation, concrete trials, product improvement). Additional experience of Cement grinding aids will be considered a plus.
• Basic knowledge or initial experience in laboratory testing, sample preparation, materials or product-related technical activities.
• Ability to work in a structured laboratory environment with accuracy, discipline and respect for timelines.
• Interest in developing knowledge of construction-chemical products, raw materials, test methods and industrial processes.

Competencies

Technical

• Sample preparation, basic formulation work and laboratory test execution.
• Accurate collection and recording of experimental data.
• Basic use of authorized laboratory equipment and materials.
• Awareness of validation, industrialization and technical-documentation requirements will be considered as a plus.

Behavioral

• Curiosity and learning agility.
• Precision, reliability and procedural discipline.
• Teamwork and constructive communication.
• Safety, quality and data-integrity mindset.