PLA Lab Instrumentation Specialist - Hands-On & Quality

NatureWorks; Blair (NE); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid disability

401(k) with company match

Job summary

NatureWorks is seeking a PLA Lab Instrumentation Specialist in Blair, Nebraska, to maintain, troubleshoot, and improve laboratory instrumentation supporting PLA products. The role interactively collaborates with researchers, engineers, and manufacturing staff to ensure accurate data, reliable methods, and continuous improvement across laboratory systems.

The ideal candidate has a chemistry/engineering background, 2+ years in a lab setting, PLA-related experience, and strong data analysis and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• At least 2 years of related laboratory or technical experience.
• Experience with PLA synthesis and/or characterization techniques.
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and polymer analysis techniques.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and support laboratory instrumentation through calibration, crosschecks, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination.
• Independently troubleshoot moderately complex instrumentation and engage internal or external technical resources when needed.
• Use analytical techniques and laboratory instrumentation to characterize PLA and evaluate material properties and performance.
• Interpret laboratory data to better understand lactide and PLA behavior and identify potential quality or process issues.
• Partner with laboratory, engineering, manufacturing, and other NatureWorks teams to troubleshoot product, laboratory, and plant issues.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities, production improvements, and other technical projects.
• Support and continuously improve quality-control processes to help ensure consistent PLA product quality.
• Maintain and improve laboratory data-management systems, methods, procedures, and documentation.
• Identify deviations, investigate potential causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Design and execute experiments related to PLA testing and laboratory processes, then analyze and interpret the results.
• Maintain accurate records of instrument maintenance, experiments, observations, and results and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and support for PLA-related projects and participate in cross-functional problem-solving and continuous-improvement efforts.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and requirements for the proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and waste.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Documentation

Collaboration

Communication

Independent work

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry

Master’s degree in Chemistry

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

NatureWorks is seeking a PLA Lab Instrumentation Specialist in Blair, Nebraska, to maintain, troubleshoot, and improve laboratory instrumentation supporting PLA products. The role interactively collaborates with researchers, engineers, and manufacturing staff to ensure accurate data, reliable methods, and continuous improvement across laboratory systems.

The ideal candidate has a chemistry/engineering background, 2+ years in a lab setting, PLA-related experience, and strong data analysis and