Laboratory Technician

Cawood; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental services provider in Bracknell is seeking a team member to prepare and analyze soil samples. Responsibilities include grinding samples, calculating dry matter percentages, and maintaining safety standards in the lab. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, organized, and can handle a busy workload. This position may require working unsociable hours and heavy lifting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and grind soil samples, using various equipment.
• Weigh and distribute sample extracts and job sheets.
• Sort and grind IBA/APCR samples.
• Calculate Dry Matter Percentage of samples.
• Maintain equipment and ensure safety in the lab.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Ability to handle high workloads

Effective collaboration

Initiative

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Team player

Ability to work alone

Ability to work unsociable hours

Experience in busy environments

Job description

Overview

This role is located in NRM, within the Cawood Scientific Agriculture Division. NRM, part of the Cawood Scientific Group, is 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.
• When required, assist with on-site training of new employees providing proactive support ensuring their onboarding into the company is friendly, engaging and inspiring.

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.