Lab Technician, Polymer Chemistry

Captura; Pasadena; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Stock options

401(k) with match

PTO & holidays

Winter break

Job summary

Captura is seeking an experienced Lab Technician to join our early-stage startup, contributing to ion exchange membrane development. The role involves hands-on polymer synthesis, instrument operation, and meticulous lab practices to enable scale-up and safe laboratory work.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of lab experience in organic synthesis or materials development, with strong attention to detail and a readiness to collaborate with R&D teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent hands-on training in chemistry/engineering.
• 3+ years of hands-on lab experience in chemical/polymer/materials environments.
• Experience with organic synthesis, polymerization, or related lab work.
• Experience handling solvents (THF, DMF, DMSO, DCM, chloroform, methanol, etc.).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs.
• Good lab documentation and housekeeping practices.
• Ability to lift/move up to 50 lb with safety procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with R&D and cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to work extra hours during peak periods.

Responsibilities

• Perform organic synthesis and polymerization experiments up to 5 L reactors and 5-gallon containers.
• Carry out routine lab operations: reagent prep, weighing, solution prep, reaction setup, workup, precipitation, filtration, washing.
• Monitor temperature, viscosity, and conversion to optimize polymerizations.
• Maintain accurate notebooks, sample records, and analytical data.
• Assist with operation and maintenance of NMR, GPC, viscometer, and other instruments.
• Organize chemicals, solvents, consumables, glassware, and supplies.
• Maintain lab hygiene and organized workspaces including fume hoods and benches.
• Follow SOPs, chemical hygiene plans, and EHS procedures for safe handling.

Skills

Lab experience

Organic synthesis

Polymer chemistry

Materials science

Attention to detail

SOP adherence

Lab documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Safety practices

Equipment maintenance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science

Equivalent training/experience

Tools

NMR

GPC

Viscometer

Job description

About the Role

Captura is seeking an experienced and hands-on Lab Technician to join our growing startup at a pivotal early stage in our ion exchange polymer and membrane development. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the development and scale-up of next-generation ion exchange membranes through hands-on laboratory work. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of practical laboratory experience in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, materials development, or a related field, with strong laboratory skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe and organized laboratory practices. The Lab Technician will play an important role in executing day-to-day experimental work, supporting polymer synthesis, operating and maintaining analytical instruments, and ensuring that the laboratory remains safe, clean, organized, and efficient.

Responsibilities

• Perform organic synthesis and polymerization experiments following established procedures and experimental instructions provided by research chemists - up to 5-liter size reactors and 5-gallon size processing containers.


• Carry out routine laboratory operations under supervision of research chemists - reagent preparation, weighing and transferring chemicals, solution preparation, reaction setup, workup, precipitation, filtration, washing, and solvent removal.


• Monitor reaction parameters such as temperature, viscosity, and conversion to ensure optimal conditions for polymerizations.


• Maintain accurate and timely laboratory notebooks, sample records, and analytical data.


• Assist with operation and routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and characterization equipment - NMR, GPC, viscometer, etc.


• Organize laboratory chemicals, solvents, consumables, glassware, and other supplies.


• Maintain high standards of laboratory hygiene, cleanliness, and organization, including proper cleaning and organization of glassware, equipment, benches, fume hoods, and shared laboratory areas.


• Follow established SOPs, chemical hygiene plans, and EHS procedures for safe handling of chemicals, solvents, equipment, and laboratory waste

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant laboratory training and experience.


• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in chemical, polymer, materials, or similar laboratory environment.


• Experience with organic synthesis, polymerization, or related chemical laboratory work.


• Experienced and comfortable with the safe handling of laboratory chemicals and organic solvents, including THF, DMF, DMSO, DCM, chloroform, methanol, and similar solvents.


• Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently follow written experimental procedures and SOPs.


• Good laboratory documentation, organization, and housekeeping practices.


• Ability to safely lift, carry, or move laboratory supplies and solvent/chemical containers, typically up to 50 lb, with appropriate handling equipment and safety procedures when required.


• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with R&D and closely support.


• Willingness to put in additional time during peak periods, such as key deadlines or launches.

Featured Benefits

Compensation

The approximate salary range for this role is $75,000–$95,000. Actual compensation depends on factors unique to each candidate, including geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job-related skills. It is not typical for someone to be hired above the midpoint of the range. This range reflects base salary only — total compensation includes the benefits and rewards outlined below, and will be considered as a whole when we present an offer.

Benefits & Total Rewards

• Health coverage: Medical, dental and vision fully covered for employees, with partial coverage for dependents


• Equity: Stock option grant, with amount determined based on role and experience


• Retirement: 401(k) with match


• Time off: 3 weeks PTO plus company holidays and a paid winter break between Christmas and New Year's


• Growth: Ground-floor opportunity to build and scale the manufacturing and supply chain function as Captura grows