Laboratory Technician

Cocoon; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A sustainable construction materials company is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support research and manage laboratory operations. Responsibilities include preparing samples, conducting material characterisation, and ensuring lab organization. Ideal candidates will have experience in material characterisation, strong data management skills, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The position offers a competitive salary and clear growth pathways, including opportunities for research and development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

28 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience in material characterisation from steel, cement, or related fields.
• Previous technician or lab manager experience.
• Comfortable organizing large datasets.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Support researchers with their workstreams.
• Prepare samples for material characterisation.
• Conduct material characterisation in the lab.
• Maintain lab organization and inventory.
• Manage QC processes and equipment commissioning.

Skills

Material characterisation experience

Data management skills

Attention to detail

Experience with analytical equipment

Job description

About Cocoon

At Cocoon, we’re building low‑carbon construction materials for the builders of tomorrow. Steel and cement together account for nearly 15% of global CO₂ emissions — and we’re tackling that head‑on by developing the next generation of sustainable, high‑performance materials.

We’re an early‑stage, fast‑growing company with a big mission and a small, hands‑on team. Every day brings new challenges and new opportunities to make a real impact on the climate crisis.

The Role

We’re looking for a Laboratory Technician to support our researchers, manage day‑to‑day lab workflow, and operate and maintain a wide range of analytical equipment. You’ll help prepare samples and run characterisation methods, including XRD, PSA, ICP‑OES, TGA, and isothermal calorimetry. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the lab remains organised, safe, and fully stocked.

You will also support the installation and commissioning of new sample preparation and analytical capabilities. By keeping equipment operating smoothly and data flowing reliably, you’ll play a central role in enabling Cocoon to accelerate research and development.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations

• Supporting researchers with their critical workstreams.
• Sample preparation for material characterisation.
• Conducting material characterisation work in the lab (XRD, PSA, ICP‑OES, TGA, isothermal calorimetry).
• Ensuring the lab is tidy, inventory is up to date, and consumables are restocked.
• Managing QC processes from industrial trials.
• Overseeing the installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning of lab equipment.
• Operating and maintaining small‑scale furnaces and Cocoon’s lab‑scale prototype granulators.

Data Management

• Developing a pipeline or dashboard for tracking analysis that is visible to the team.
• Archiving material characterisation data effectively so all users can access it.
• Data generation and cataloguing on Cocoon’s databases.
• Generating data to support the commercial activities of the business.

You’ll Succeed In This Role If You…

• Bring experience in material characterisation from steel, cement, or a related field such as battery technology.
• Have previous technician or lab manager experience.
• Are comfortable organising large data sets.
• Have an eye for detail and follow processes to the letter.
• Thrive in a fast‑moving, hands‑on laboratory environment.

What We Offer

• A central role in scaling Cocoon’s laboratory capabilities.
• The opportunity to support formal research advancement across the team.
• The chance to contribute data directly to demo‑plant development and commercial work.
• Clear growth pathways, including:
• Conducting your own research.
• Running onsite QC at pilot trials abroad.
• Progressing toward Lab Manager and owning all H&S.
• A competitive salary, plus 28 days annual leave.

Apply Now

If you’re excited about generating high‑quality data, supporting critical research, and helping Cocoon scale towards demo‑plant deployment, we’d love to hear from you.