Lab Technician - 12 month fixed term contract

Trouw Nutrition; Compton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Training and development opportunities

Global organisation experience

Job summary

Trouw Nutrition, part of the Nutreco group, is offering a 12-month, fixed-term role in Ashbourne with on-site work. You will register samples, manage data accurately, and support day-to-day lab operations while interacting with customers to ensure reliable service.

You’ll perform wet chemistry techniques, HPLC vitamins analysis, ICP minerals, NIR analyses, and assist lab managers. A hands-on learning environment awaits, with opportunities to grow practical skills in a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Experience in an analytical laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with databases; ideally LIMS experience.
• Good IT skills: Outlook, Excel, Word.
• Attention to detail; methodical, precise.
• Ability to measure and analyse samples.
• Willingness to work outside normal duties when required.
• Able to work autonomously as part of a small team.
• Comfort with agricultural samples (e.g., silage).
• Willingness to support Nutreco values (capable, caring, collaborative, innovative).

Responsibilities

• Comply with UKAS ISO 17025:2017 and apply criteria where possible.
• Perform wet chemistry: vitamins (HPLC), minerals (ICP), enzyme analysis.
• Analyse samples by NIR (Raw material ID, Premix ID, Feeds and Forages).
• Assist Laboratory Managers in duties.
• Oversee sample preparation processes.
• Support senior analyst in daily tasks.
• Maintain clean labs, stock rooms, and equipment; proper storage of samples.
• Ensure fast turn-round for analyses.
• Learn multiple techniques to provide cover when needed.

Skills

Analytical lab experience

Attention to detail

Measurement & analysis

Team player

Initiative

Agricultural samples handling

Nutreco values alignment

Tools

LIMS

Outlook

Excel

Word

HPLC

ICP

NIR

Job description

Job Description

Join Trouw Nutrition, a Nutreco company, supporting our laboratory operations in Ashbourne. As global leaders in animal nutrition, our shared purpose of Feeding the Future drives innovation, collaboration, and meaningful impact. This is a great opportunity to start or develop your career in a hands‑on role where you’ll learn how laboratory processes work in a real operational environment. This tole would suit someone looking for a year in industry during their studies. You’ll be responsible for registering samples, managing data accurately, and supporting the smooth day‑to‑day running of the lab. You’ll also have the chance to interact with customers, helping to ensure a reliable and professional service. Working in a fast-paced and supportive team, you’ll build valuable skills, gain practical experience, and grow your confidence while making a real contribution to our operations.

What You Will Do

• Comply with our UKAS ISO 17025:2017 for all accredited methods and procedures and where possible apply those criteria to other non-accredited activities.
• Performance of all ‘wet’ chemistry techniques. Preparation and analysis of samples for vitamins (HPLC), mineral analysis (ICP) and enzyme analysis.
• Analysis of all samples by NIR (Raw material ID, Premix ID, Feeds and Forages).
• Assist the Laboratory Mangers in the effective performance of their duties.
• Specific responsibility for all aspects of sample preparation.
• Assisting and supporting the senior analyst in their duties.
• Ensure the laboratories, stock rooms and associated areas and all equipment within are clean and properly maintained. Ensure that all samples are stored correctly and clearly.
• Ensure turn round times for analysis of feeds and premixes for ‘wet’ chemistry techniques and NIR analysis are as quick as possible.
• Become familiar with and proficient in as many techniques as possible to provide cover when necessary

What We Are Looking For

• Experience of working in an analytical laboratory.
• Experience in working with databases, ideally experience of using LIMS.
• Good IT skills – Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Attention to detail; ability to work systematically.
• Ability to undertake measurement and analysis.
• Willingness to carry out tasks outside the normal area of work where necessary.
• Able to work on own initiative as part of small team.
• Happy to deal with agricultural samples including silage etc.
• Willingness to work in support of the Nutreco Group values – capable, caring, collaborative and innovative.

Location & Details

• Location: Ashbourne, UK
• Work model: On-site
• Contract: Fixed Term for 12 months, full-time (40 hours, Monday–Friday)

What You’ll Receive

• 25 days of holiday per calendar year based on full-time working hours, plus 8 UK bank holidays
• Training and development opportunities, including systems and laboratory processes
• Opportunity to build experience within a global organisation