Laboratory Technician

Imerys Minerals Limited; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global mineral solutions supplier is seeking an experienced Laboratory Technician to support laboratory operations at the Par Moor Centre. The role involves resource management, sample administration, and quality assurance according to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Ideal candidates will demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills, technical reporting, and possess strong analytical expertise. The benefits include generous holidays, pension plan, private healthcare, and various employee support programs.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Generous Pension Plan

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Healthcare

Company Sick Pay

Discounts with external retailers

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Buy Holiday scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP

Flu and Eye care vouchers

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Menopause Support

Check4Cancer program

Mental Health First Aider opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in handling hazardous chemicals and working in high-pressure conditions.
• Strong ability to write technical reports and communicate effectively.
• Proven knowledge of analytical techniques and laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support Laboratory Manager in sample administration and resource management.
• Assist with laboratory operations, maintenance, and instrument checks.
• Contribute to quality assurance for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

Skills

Laboratory Proficiency

Technical Reporting & Communication

Analytical Expertise

Organisational & Administrative Acumen

Software Proficiency

Teamwork & Leadership

Problem-Solving & Decision Making

Safety Consciousness

Training & Development

Supervisory Capabilities

Tools

ICP-OES

ICP-MS

SEM

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

procurement software packages

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Laboratory Technician at our Par Moor Centre. We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team. This role supports the Laboratory Manager by assisting with resource management, sample administration, purchases, and laboratory organisation. The laboratory technician will be responsible for laboratory operations and maintenance, including recording and reporting weekly sample throughput, managing chemical and standard stock levels, and processing orders for laboratory consumables. They will maintain instrument usage records, prioritise weekly test requests to meet deadlines, and monitor lab performance metrics. This role also involves assisting with instrument preventive and emergency maintenance, new instrument installations, method troubleshooting, and contributing to new method development to minimise downtime and ensure timely, high-quality results. The individual will perform laboratory-scale test measurements using Approved Test Methods and Good Lab Practices, ensuring accurate and timely recording and reporting of results with agreed-upon quality checks.

A key aspect of this role is quality assurance and accreditation. The Laboratory Technician will contribute to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and other laboratory accreditations by performing daily/weekly instrument checks, calibration, quality control monitoring, demonstrating method competency, and participating in proficiency testing. They will assist in preparing approved test methods and other documentation, identify and rectify instrument performance issues in consultation with management, and report non-conformities and deviating samples. The role involves assisting the Laboratory Manager with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and other accreditations, contributing to the Analytical Group's accreditation by helping with documentation, issue identification, and reporting.

The role also encompasses experimental work and financial management. This includes devising and performing laboratory-scale experiments following programs set by the Laboratory Manager and assuring results are accurately recorded and reported in a timely fashion, as agreed with the Laboratory Manager. The individual will assist the Laboratory Manager by compiling specific financial costing for procedures and apparatus, and regularly collate work volumes for monitoring departmental throughput.

Teamwork, communication, and safety are paramount. The Laboratory Technician will work independently and participate in multi-functional teams. They will engage in discussions with internal customers regarding technical issues, providing support and consultation for analytical queries. The supervisor will attend specific meetings in the absence of the Laboratory Manager and contribute to team safety by adhering to health and safety guidelines, identifying performance improvement mechanisms by reporting unsafe conditions and incidents, and following approved guidelines for chemical use and storage.

Essential skills for this position includes the ability to work to strict deadlines under pressure and the ability to develop good working relationships within and outside the section.

Do you have the following attributes?

• Laboratory Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to work safely and competently within a laboratory setting, including the handling of specialised equipment and hazardous chemicals such as concentrated acids, bases (including hydrofluoric acid), and liquid nitrogen. Experienced in performing experiments under hazardous conditions, including high temperatures (700-1100°C) and high pressures (compressed pressurised vessels).
• Technical Reporting & Communication: Strong report writing skills for summarising work programs and effectively contributing to technical meetings. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of analytical techniques and equipment such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, SEM, etc.
• Organisational & Administrative Acumen: Proficient in organisational and administrative tasks.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with procurement software packages and the use of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Teamwork & Leadership: Proven ability to work effectively as both a team player and a leader.
• Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Possesses an enquiring mind, with the ability to make sound decisions within established procedures or through consultation. Experience in laboratory-based problem-solving.
• Safety Consciousness: High level of safety consciousness.
• Training & Development: Capable of providing training to others and developing comprehensive training packs for specific areas of expertise.
• Supervisory Capabilities: Demonstrated supervisory skills.

Imerys is the world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.6 billion in revenue and 12,400 employees in 40 countries in 2024. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers' products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Generous Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Healthcare
• Company Sick Pay
• Discounts with external retailers on ImerysAdvantage!
• Cycle to work scheme via Halfords
• Salary sacrifice car scheme via Tusker
• Buy Holiday scheme
• We also offer a comprehensive package to support the Well-being of our people, which includes:
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Virtual GP
  • Flu and Eye care vouchers
  • Enhanced family-friendly policies
  • Menopause Support
  • Check4Cancer (prostate checks)
  • Volunteer to be a Mental Health First Aider, First Aider at Work or Fire Marshal