Laboratory Technician

Cawood Communications, Inc.; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Cawood Communications, Inc. in Bracknell is seeking a hands-on Environmental Prep Technician to support the Environmental Department. You will handle fresh soil and waste samples, perform grinding, batching, and record keeping, following SOPs to ensure accurate analysis and safety.

The role requires working with high volumes, teamwork, and flexibility to cover unsociable hours. Full training will be provided and compliance with PPE and equipment care is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to handle high workloads and heavy lifting.
• Collaborate effectively within own team and other sections.
• Hands-on approach and ability to take initiative.
• Strong communication skills in a lab environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in records.
• Highly organized with good time management.
• Capable of working independently when required.
• Willingness to work unsociable hours when needed.
• Experience handling high-volume work in a busy lab.

Responsibilities

• Fresh preparation and grinding of Environmental Waste soil samples; training provided.
• Weighing and batching into pre-prepared IBA samples; manage lab sheets.
• Sort and grind IBA/APCR samples; monitor sample integrity.
• Calculate and record Dry Matter Percentage for Enviro soils and Digestate samples.
• Unload and move heavy batches of soil and samples within the Environmental Department.
• Follow SOPs and maintain equipment, vehicles, and PPE in good condition.
• Maintain safety and report accidents or near misses per policy.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Team collaboration

Initiative

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Unsociable hours

High-volume workload

Job description

This role is located in NRM, within the Cawood Scientific Agriculture Division. NRM, part of the Cawood Scientific Group, are the UK's largest independent provider of agronomic and environmental waste analysis for land-based industries. We offer water, soil, manures, fertilisers and plant tissue analysis to farmers, growers and agronomists for improved farm productivity, as well as land-based environmental services including composted waste, anaerobic digestate, effluents and industrial renewables. Learn more about NRM by clicking here.

Job Description

• Fresh preparation and grinding of fresh Environmental Waste soil samples. Experience of using Retsch grinders and shatterbox preferred, full training will be provided.
• Weighing and locating into batches pre-prepared IBA samples. Distributing sample extracts and lab sheets/ job sheets.
• Sorting and grinding of fresh IBA/ APCR samples.
• Calculate and record the Dry Matter Percentage of Enviro soils, IBA/ APCR samples.
• Preparing Digestate samples.
• Calculating and record the Dry Matter Percentage of Digestate samples.
• Rotating and dispose of soil, slurry extracts and samples.
• Unload and move heavy batches of Soil and IBA samples around the Environmental Department.
• When the workload dictates, work in other preparation roles within the Environmental Prep Team.
• Understand and follow the Standard Operating Procedures provided.
• Maintain Cawood credibility by always portraying a positive image by keeping equipment, vehicles and PPE clean.
• Respect company equipment and vehicles ensuring to use them as per guidelines and to report any damage to management as soon as possible.
• Work as a team and maintaining morale and actively offer help and assistance wherever possible.
• Responsible for keeping safety at the forefront of lab work and being proactive ensuring accidents and near misses are always reported straightaway to Managers in line with our company accreditation and policy.

Skills And Qualifications

• Enthusiasm, energy, and ability to handle high levels of workload which include heavy lifting.
• Must be able to work effectively and collaborate within own team and other sections.
• Must take initiative and have the ability to conduct hands‑on work.
• Strong communication skills
• Must possess the ability to handle multiple tasks with high attention to detail.
• Highly organised and excellent time management skills.
• Excellent team player with the ability to work alone.
• Ability to work unsociable hours.
• Experience working with high-volume turnover of work in a busy environment.