Laboratory coordinator – Metalography and Additive Manufacturing

IMDEA Materials Institute; Getafe; Presencial; EUR 40.000 - 56.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

IMDEA Materials Institute in Getafe, Spain, seeks a laboratory technician to support researchers with sample preparation, testing, and technical reporting. You will manage laboratory stock, waste disposal, and safety programs, ensuring proper operation of equipment and adherence to procedures.

The role requires at least 5 years in a research setting, a relevant degree, and strong metallography and microscopy skills, with Spanish at CEFR C1 and English at CEFR B1.

Formación

• At least 5 years experience in similar position in research institutions.
• Spanish level ≥ C1 CEFR
• English level ≥ B1 CEFR
• Master in occupational risk prevention (desirable).
• Experience coordinating activities with external service providers.

Responsabilidades

• Effectively support researchers by providing technical support, demonstrating procedures and collecting, preparing and/or testing samples.
• Preparation of technical reports.
• Ensure that laboratories are well-stocked and resourced and that waste is disposed of according to the established procedure.
• Understand the requirements, issues and outcomes needed in their technical area.
• Understand the purpose, operate and maintain the equipment and installations in their laboratories.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that health and safety practices are followed in their laboratories.
• Collaborate with management to provide a safe and healthy workplace and carry out health and safety evaluation.
• Support laboratory users and train new users.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, and instructions.
• Purchase chemicals and laboratory materials, liaise with suppliers, and monitor stocks.
• Ensure proper storage of research materials and coordinate equipment maintenance.

Conocimientos

Metallographic preparation

Optical microscopy

Hardness testing

Additive manufacturing

Casting and directional solidification

Heat treatments

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Planning & time management

Clear communication

Teamwork

Responsibility & accountability

Educación

Vocational training or university degree in Chemistry, Materials science (or similar)

Master in occupational risk prevention

Herramientas

Gleeble or equivalent equipment

Induction furnaces

Arc furnaces

Powder metallurgy equipment

Descripción del empleo

• Waste management.

IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid's regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

More information can be found at our webpage.

Description

• Effectively support researchers by providing technical support, demonstrating procedures and collecting, preparing and/or testing samples.
• Preparation of technical reports.
• Ensure that the laboratories are well-stocked and resourced and that waste is disposed of according to the established procedure.
• Understand the requirements, issues and outcomes needed in their technical area.
• Understand the purpose, operate and maintain the equipment and installations in their laboratories.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that health and safety practices are followed in their laboratories.
• Collaborate with management to provide a safe and healthy workplace and carry out health and safety evaluation.

Laboratory management tasks

• Support laboratory users and train new users.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, and instructions.
• Purchase chemicals and laboratory materials, liaise with suppliers, and monitor stocks.
• Ensure the proper storage of research materials, including those left by former users.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Support health and safety compliance in coordination with the H&S Technician, including user guidance, PPE use, and delivery records.
• Maintain chemical and equipment inventories and the physical SDS repository.
• Control access to restricted-use equipment, train users, and maintain authorisation records.
• Manage laboratory waste.
• Coordinate activities with external service providers.
• Plan laboratory activities.
• Identify risks and contribute to risk assessments and accident investigations.

Technical tasks

• Perform measurements, tests and analysis of results using specialised laboratory equipment, and prepare the corresponding technical reports.
• Provide training and technical supervision to users in sample preparation and metallographic characterisation.
• Support additive manufacturing activities, including the use of Reduced Build Volume systems.
• Perform and support melting, casting and solidification processes, including induction and arc furnaces, casting and drop-casting, directional solidification, infiltration and atomisation.
• Perform and support powder metallurgy and sintering processes.
• Perform physical simulation and thermomechanical testing, including tensile and compression tests, melting and solidification studies, dilatometry and phase-transformation analysis, stress-relaxation studies, liquid-embrittlement studies, solid/liquid interface analysis, weld HAZ cycles, and annealing with air or water.
• Ensure that laboratory procedures comply with applicable quality standards.
• Perform and coordinate equipment calibration and verification.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical and scientific issues.

Requirements

Required experience:

At least 5 years experience in similar position in research institutions

Desirable experience

Previous experience in research institutions in technical and research activities.

Participation in writing proposals for research projects and providing technical external services.

Required training

• Vocational training or university degree in Chemistry, Materials science (or similar).
• Spanish level≥ C1 CEFR
• English level≥ B1 CEFR

Desirable training

• Master in occupational risk prevention.
• Training in laboratory management and/or quality control systems.
• English B2.

Technical and professional requirements

• Metallographic sample preparation and optical microscopy.
• Hardness testing.
• Additive manufacturing.
• Casting and directional solidification.
• Induction and arc furnaces.
• Atomisation and powder metallurgy/sintering.
• Heat treatments.
• Physical simulation using Gleeble or equivalent equipment, including tensile and compression testing, melting and solidification, dilatometry/phase transformations, and weld HAZ cycles.

Laboratory Management

• Ensure that laboratory procedures comply with quality standards.
• Manage and resolve technical and scientific issues.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, and instructions.
• Purchase of chemicals and laboratory material. Contact with suppliers and management of the purchasing process. Monitor the availability of consumables.
• Supervise adequate storage of research material (including alumni’s).
• Maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Health & safety compliance (in coordination with H&S technician).
• Initiate coordination of business activities with service providers, planning of activities, assessing and identifying potential risks. Inform and collaborate in the investigation of accidents and in the risk assessment.Educate, train, and guide users on safe working procedures. Ensure that rules are followed and that PPE is used correctly. Sing the PPE delivery registry document for all PPE given.
• Maintain inventory control of chemicals (including physical SDS repository) and equipment.
• Restricted-use equipment: identify restricted-use equipment, train, and maintain an updated record of trainees and authorized personnel.
• Waste management.

Desirable technical and profesional requirements

• Experience supporting meetings or events involving companies and national or international institutions.
• Experience training external users in relevant laboratory processes or techniques.
• Experience coordinating activities with external service providers.
• Experience providing external technical services and preparing technical reports for external users or organisations.

Required competencies

• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Planning, organisation, and time-management skills.
• Clear oral and written communication.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Responsibility and accountability.

Desirable competencies

• Initiative, curiosity, and commitment to continuous professional development.
• Ability to find, assess, and manage scientific and technical information.
• Adaptability and responsiveness to changing priorities.
• Ability to train, guide, and mentor laboratory users.
• Relationship-building and networking skills.

Conditions

Contrato indefinido con cargo a la tasa de reposición para 2026 autorizada por la Consejería de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo de la Comunidad de Madrid.

Permanent contract under the 2026 replacement rate authorised by the Department of Economy, Finance and Employment of the Community of Madrid.

Applications are processed upon reception. The position might be closed once ten working days have passed since publication, so we encourage early application.

The working language of the Institute is English. Full command of the English language is required in all positions.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT IMDEA

Stimulating environment where you can grow professionally.

IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and the promotion of a healthy work environment and work-life balance. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to our research and technical positions. See our Gender Equality Plan here and our Code of Ethics here.

Besides on-the-job technical training, IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to training the Institute's scientists and staff in 'soft' or transversal skills. See the available training here.

Meet some of our alumni to see what it is like to work with us.