Laboratory Specialist

SLB; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Schlumberger Doll Research in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Laboratory Specialist to maintain advanced laboratory capabilities and support complex experimental programs. You will help researchers transform ideas into reliable experimental systems and collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to ensure labs are reliable and ready for evolving needs.

The role requires a hands-on technical professional with broad lab experience, strong mechanical aptitude, and a proactive mindset.

Qualifications

• Technical degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related disciplines, with at least 5 years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Proven experience operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and experience with fluid systems, instrumentation, controls, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience using fabrication, machining, or workshop equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot a wide range of laboratory instruments and experimental systems, coordinating service with external vendors when needed.
• Manage laboratory supplies, consumables, spare parts, and equipment inventories.
• Install, commission, modify, and upgrade laboratory instrumentation and custom experimental setups.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, equipment documentation, and maintenance records.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards and participate in safety reviews and risk assessments.
• Support scientists and engineers in preparing and executing laboratory experiments involving rock, fluid, geomechanical, geochemical, and petrophysical testing.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as X-ray micro-CT, SEM/EDS, interfacial tension systems, HPHT reactors, pumps, and geomechanics equipment.
• Operate and maintain laboratory sample prep and fabrication equipment, including coring mills, saws, grinders, polishers, lathes, and milling machines.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and modify mechanical components, fixtures, and laboratory hardware to support research activities.

Skills

Hands-on technical

Mechanical aptitude

Instrumentation knowledge

Collaborative teamwork

Ownership & initiative

Problem solving

Education

Technical degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related

Tools

X-ray micro-CT

SEM/EDS

Interfacial tension systems

HPHT reactors

Fabrication & machining equipment

Job description

We are seeking a Laboratory Specialist to join our multidisciplinary research team at Schlumberger Doll Research (SDR) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In this role, you will play a critical part in enabling cutting-edge research by maintaining advanced laboratory capabilities, supporting complex experimental programs, and helping researchers transform innovative ideas into reliable experimental systems.

Working closely with scientists and engineers, you will help ensure that SDR's laboratory facilities and instrumentation remain reliable, effective, and ready to support evolving research needs. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on technical professional with broad laboratory experience, strong mechanical aptitude, and a passion for solving complex technical challenges in a dynamic research environment.

As Schlumberger‑Doll Research continues to expand its laboratory and experimental capabilities, the candidate will support the deployment of new research systems, maintain sophisticated instrumentation, and help enable high‑impact scientific programs addressing subsurface energy challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot a wide range of laboratory instruments and experimental systems including coordination for equipment service and repairs with external vendors when needed.
• Manage laboratory supplies, consumables, spare parts, and equipment inventories.
• Install, commission, modify, and upgrade laboratory instrumentation and custom experimental setups.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, equipment documentation, and maintenance records.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards and participate in safety reviews and risk assessments.
• Support scientists and engineers in the preparation and execution of laboratory experiments involving rock, fluid, geomechanical, geochemical, and petrophysical testing.
• Operate and maintain equipment, such as X-ray micro-CT, SEM/EDS, interfacial tension systems, high-pressure/high-temperature reactors, pumps, and geomechanics equipment.
• Operate and maintain laboratory sample preparation and fabrication equipment, including coring mills, saws, grinders, polishers, lathes, and milling machines.
• Design, fabricate, assemble, and modify mechanical components, fixtures, and laboratory hardware to support research activities.

Qualifications

• We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive, and driven individual who brings a strong sense of ownership, initiative and a collaborative spirit to our multidisciplinary geoscience research team.
• Technical degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related disciplines, with at least 5 years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Proven experience operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and experience with fluid systems, instrumentation, controls, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience using fabrication, machining, or workshop equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred

• Experience supporting high‑pressure/high‑temperature (HPHT) systems
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation, imaging systems, and fluid‑testing equipment.
• Experience supporting custom‑built experimental systems and prototype development.
• Working knowledge of CAD, machining, fabrication, or additive manufacturing.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical handling, and environmental compliance practices

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