Sample Preparation Technician

Celnor Group; North East; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Performance bonus

Free onsite parking

Health and wellbeing programme

Life insurance (2x salary)

Referral bonus of £1,000

Sick pay and enhanced maternity & ppa

Christmas shutdown

Job summary

Chemtech Environmental, part of the Celnor Group, is looking for a Sample Preparation Technician in County Durham. You’ll prepare samples, maintain logs and support testing and subcontract analysis on a Twilight shift (18:00–22:00).

There is a 1 in 4 weekend overtime rota, opportunities for extra overtime, and a performance-based bonus. A GCSE in English and Maths is required; a chemistry-related degree or qualification is beneficial.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths are required.
• Basic chemistry knowledge is beneficial for the role.
• Ability to learn lab systems, processes and procedures quickly.
• Strong accuracy, organisation and time management expected.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples and subsamples (soils, solids, water, leachates) and keep logs up to date.
• Keep the Sample Preparation area tidy and manage stock levels.
• Promote Health & Safety practices and ensure PPE is used correctly.
• Handle samples from start to finish, including storage and disposal as needed.
• Carry out equipment checks and troubleshoot to keep systems running smoothly.
• Support quality checks and flag potential issues early.
• Collaborate with other departments and assist on client-site sampling when required.

Skills

MS Excel

Lab systems

Organised

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Work ethic

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Chemistry degree/qualification beneficial

Tools

Soil drying cabinets

Job description

Sample Preparation Technician

Department: Laboratory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: County Durham

Description

Chemtech Environmental

Sample Preperation Technician - Twilight Shift 18.00-22..00

Who we are

At Chemtech Environmental, we like to think of ourselves as an extension of your team - the kind that adds value without adding hassle (and yes, the sample containers are free). We keep things simple, personal and practical, offering tailored solutions and responsive support through our network of regional laboratories. With years of industry experience behind us, we help clients get the answers they need, make smart decisions and keep projects moving - all while sweating the small stuff so they don’t have to.

Part of the Celnor Group

Celnor Group is a UK-based environmental services group operating across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) landscape. With a growing portfolio of specialist businesses, Celnor provides essential services that protect people, property and the environment.

While each business retains its own identity, culture and technical specialism, all are supported by a central group function that invests in people, systems and long-term sustainable growth.

Job details

You’ll be at the heart of the lab, making sure samples are prepared correctly and ready for testing or subcontract analysis. Working alongside colleagues across the business, you’ll help keep our operations flowing smoothly and deliver the top-notch service our clients expect.

Fancy earning a little extra? We run a 1 in 4 weekend overtime rota, there’s extra overtime up for grabs, and you can also earn a performance based bonus for smashing it in the role.

What you will do

• Keep the lab running smoothly by preparing samples and subsamples (soils, solids, water, leachates and more) while making sure logs and documentation are spot on.
• Stay organised and stocked up - keeping the Sample Preparation area tidy, maintaining supplies, and ordering stock when needed.
• Champion Health & Safety by promoting good practices, making sure PPE is used properly, and spotting ways we can make the lab even safer.
• Look after samples from start to finish, including proper storage, preparation for testing (and subcontracting when needed), and safe disposal when the time comes.
• Keep equipment happy and healthy by carrying out checks, troubleshooting issues, and making sure everything is running as it should (including soil drying cabinets and other kit).
• Support quality across the lab, helping with internal and external quality checks, monitoring materials, and raising any potential issues before they become problems.
• Be a great team player, working with other departments, supporting sampling activities on client sites when needed, and setting a positive example for the team.

Who you are

• Comfortable with the tools of the trade, including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the ability to quickly learn lab systems, processes, and procedures.
• Organised and detail-focused, able to keep track of tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a busy environment.
• Equally happy working independently or as part of a team, using good judgement while supporting colleagues when needed.
• Reliable, proactive, and self‑motivated, with a strong work ethic and a positive, can‑do attitude.
• Great communicator, confident speaking with colleagues and listening carefully to instructions or feedback.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment, ideally with experience in manual, operational, or laboratory‑style work.
• Solid foundations, with GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths; a chemistry‑related degree or scientific qualification would be beneficial.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - and it increases the longer you stick around.
• Performance bonus- win together, celebrate together.
• Free onsite parking, because the only thing you should be hunting for at work is results, not a parking space.
• Health and wellbeing programme to help keep both mind and body in good working order.
• Life insurance (2x salary) for a little extra peace of mind.
• Referral bonus of £1,000 if you bring great people into the team.
• Sick pay and enhanced maternity & paternity pay to support you when life happens.
• Christmas shutdown, giving you proper time to switch off, relax and enjoy the festive season.

Important information

Celnor Group and its businesses manage recruitment directly. We do not require agency support for this role and will only engage with recruitment partners from our preferred supplier list where necessary.

We may use technology, including AI-enabled tools, to support parts of the recruitment process. AI is not used for candidate screening, scoring or hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by people, for people. Our recruitment systems are ISO 42001 accredited, reflecting our commitment to ethical, transparent and responsible use of technology.