Lab Technician

Actalent; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician in Deerfield, IL to perform essential flavor-lab work, operating spray dryers and homogenizers, and preparing samples for customers and internal teams. You will follow strict safety, compliance, and quality standards while supporting flavor development and sample matching projects.

The role requires a science degree and about a year of lab experience in food or pharma; you will work under the Flavor Lab Manager or VP of Business Unit, with a regular Mon-Fri

Qualifications

• Degree in sciences is strongly preferred.
• 1 year of lab experience in food or pharma industries.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively.
• Open-mindedness.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Creativity.
• Proficiency in chemistry and food chemistry.
• Experience with lab equipment.

Responsibilities

• Compound and provide samples for customers, chemists, applications, QC, and regulatory purposes in a timely manner.
• Understand flavor formulas and develop procedures to obtain required samples.
• Clean, sanitize, assemble, and operate pilot equipment including a homogenizer and spray dryer.
• Collaborate with Flavorists to resolve formula discrepancies and support development and matching projects.
• Monitor ongoing workflow with the VP of Business Unit and perform special projects as directed.
• Work accurately with small quantities of product and raw materials.
• Utilize time management skills to work efficiently under pressure.
• Prepare graphs and charts, and maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date records of all samples made.
• Clean and sterilize laboratory equipment and glassware, maintaining a clean and orderly laboratory environment.
• Maintain the laboratory's supply of raw materials and supplies.
• Comply with all laboratory safety procedures and maintain good lab practices.
• Produce pilot batch orders for customers.
• Work under the guidance of the R&D Flavor Lab Manager or VP of Business Unit.

Skills

Lab experience

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Creativity

Chemistry knowledge

Education

Science degree

Tools

Spray dryer

Homogenizer

Job description

Job Title: Lab TechnicianJob Description

The Lab Technician will be responsible for performing essential laboratory work in the flavor laboratory, utilizing formulas provided by a Flavorist. The role involves operating specialized equipment such as spray dryers and homogenizers, as well as compounding, filling, packaging, and shipping samples. Strict adherence to safety, compliance, and quality standards is required.

Responsibilities

• Compound and provide samples for customers, chemists, applications, QC, and regulatory purposes in a timely manner.

• Understand flavor formulas and develop procedures to obtain required samples.

• Clean, sanitize, assemble, and operate pilot equipment including a homogenizer and spray dryer.

• Collaborate with Flavorists to resolve formula discrepancies and support development and matching projects.

• Monitor ongoing workflow with the VP of Business Unit and perform special projects as directed.

• Work accurately with small quantities of product and raw materials.

• Utilize time management skills to work efficiently under pressure.

• Prepare graphs and charts, and maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date records of all samples made.

• Clean and sterilize laboratory equipment and glassware, maintaining a clean and orderly laboratory environment.

• Maintain the laboratory's supply of raw materials and supplies.

• Comply with all laboratory safety procedures and maintain good lab practices.

• Produce pilot batch orders for customers.

• Work under the guidance of the R&D Flavor Lab Manager or VP of Business Unit.

Essential Skills

• Degree in sciences is strongly preferred.

• 1 year of lab experience in food or pharma industries.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively.

• Open-mindedness.

• Strong problem-solving skills.

• Creativity.

• Proficiency in chemistry and food chemistry.

• Experience with lab equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in wet chemistry.

• Ability to work on products for well-known brands.

Work Environment

The work environment is a clean, up-to-date facility with a focus on collaboration and interaction among team members. The facility includes a large kitchen, break room, and a botanical garden in the middle. The work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7 am to 3:30 pm, with summer hours allowing early leave on Fridays. The company culture is fun and inclusive, with opportunities for career advancement and direct training for high-level roles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Deerfield, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Deerfield,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.