Research Laboratory Technician

1011 Metsä Board Oyj; Äänekoski; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

Training and development opportunities

Culture and sports benefits

Job summary

Metsä Board Metsä Group’s R&D lab in Äänekoski seeks a Research Laboratory Technician to advance paperboard analytics, coatings and barrier studies. You will conduct tests, prepare samples, and report results to internal customers in both Finnish and English.

Work includes data handling in Excel, presenting findings in PowerPoint, and helping maintain laboratory instrumentation. The role emphasizes method development and flexible prioritization in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Education in the laboratory field.
• Experience in a research laboratory is valued.
• Experience with paperboard analytics or coating tests is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Study and test paperboard related to coating and converting.
• Perform chemical analytics (FT-IR, GC/MS) and summarize results.
• Analyse measurement data in Excel and report findings in Finnish and English.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and ensure reliable operations.
• Contribute to developing laboratory methods, tools, and practices.

Skills

Lab techniques

Analytical chemistry

Data analysis

Finnish & English

Education

Laboratory education

Tools

GC/MS

FT-IR

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Metsä Board Metsä Group is a successful forest industry group with roots in the Finnish forest - Our parent company is a cooperative of over 90,000 forest owners. Metsä Group's paperboard business Metsä Board produces lightweight high-quality folding boxboard and food service paperboards, as well as white kraftliners. The pure fresh fibre used in our products is a renewable, safe and recyclable raw material from northern forests. Metsä Board’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and different stages of life. Metsä has space and opportunities for many kinds of talent, regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or other characteristics - Metsä is for all. Read more: metsagroup.com/metsaforall.

Metsä Board R&D is looking for a RESEARCH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN to join Metsä Board’s R&D laboratory in Äänekoski. In this position, you will work with paperboard, analytics and new material solutions in a versatile research and development environment. Our R&D laboratory produces information for product development, mills, technical service, product safety, and sales and marketing. In this role, practical laboratory work is combined with evaluating and reporting results, managing your own area of responsibility, and collaborating closely with experts and internal customers.

Responsibilities

• Studies and tests related to paperboard testing and converting
• Research on paperboard coatings and coated materials
• Analytics related to barrier properties
• Chemical analytics, such as FT-IR and GC/MS analyses
• Your work includes sample preparation, systematic execution of measurements and analyses, and assessment of the quality and reliability of the results.
• You will analyse measurement data in Excel and report the results clearly using PowerPoint and Word, both in Finnish and English.
• You will also help maintain the laboratory’s operational capability.
• Depending on your area of responsibility, your tasks will include maintaining and calibrating measurement and analysis equipment and taking responsibility for selected instruments.
• In addition, you will participate in developing working methods, measurements and laboratory practices.
• Assignments and schedules vary, so the role requires the ability to prioritize, solve practical problems and maintain high-quality work in a changing and sometimes fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• We expect you to have an education in the laboratory field.
• We value previous experience in a research laboratory and competence in at least one of the following areas: Paperboard manufacturing, properties, measurements or converting tests
• Coating or barrier analytics
• Chemical analytics and the use of GC/MS equipment
• A careful and independent approach to work and the ability to take responsibility for your own tasks
• The ability to assess the quality, reliability and relevance of measurement results
• Good Excel skills for processing, analysing and presenting measurement data
• The ability to prepare clear research and result reports in Finnish and English
• Fluent Finnish and good written and spoken English
• Good cooperation and communication skills
• Flexibility and the ability to manage several simultaneous and changing tasks
• Experience in method or equipment development, data visualization, or the use of AI-based tools is considered an advantage.
• This may include using AI in information searches, data processing, reporting or the development of laboratory work.

What we offer you

We offer a versatile role at the heart of Metsä Board’s research and development activities. You will work broadly with analytics and different research methods and see how information produced in the laboratory is used to develop products, materials and processes and to meet customer needs. The work is not limited to routine sample analysis. As a Research Laboratory Technician, you will participate in planning the practical execution of studies, evaluating and reporting results, solving problems, and developing methods, equipment and laboratory operations. You will take responsibility for your own area of expertise and work in a modern research environment together with skilled laboratory professionals and R&D experts.

Benefits

• We offer our employees a wide range of fringe benefits, including comprehensive occupational health care, and extensive training and development opportunities.
• To support wellbeing at work, we encourage our employees to take advantage of culture and sports benefits.

Company culture and diversity

Metsä Group has a responsible corporate culture that creates a safe working environment for all of us. We value good leadership and support for personal career development. We encourage you to display your competence and will provide you with opportunities to use it. Our large company offers a wide range of career opportunities and many interesting challenges. We want to renew the business by striving for positive impacts on the environment and society. This means significant development opportunities and agile projects, competence development, and understanding the business.

Read more and watch the video on anonymous recruitment. https://www.metsagroup.com/careers/work-with-us/anonymous-recruitment/

Contact

For more information about the position, please contact R&D Technician Riikka Riuttanen. You can reach Riikka by phone at [phone] on 22 October between 9 and 10, and on 29 October between 12 and 13, or by email at [e-mail].