R&D Lab Technician

Duraco Laminated Solutions – A Duraco Specialty Materials® Company; Troy (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Duraco Laminated Solutions – A Duraco Specialty Materials® Company is seeking an R&D Lab Technician to support the Technical Department by preparing samples and conducting physical performance testing. You will set your pace to meet deadlines, maintain the lab, and follow standardized test methods.

You will participate in material qualification projects, production floor trials, data collection, and cross-functional collaboration to drive testing improvements and product knowledge.

Qualifications

• Working toward a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, material science or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Comfortable in a lab environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong time management to manage multiple projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Flexibility with working hours during major trials.
• Strong analytical and data processing skills.
• Self-starting with laboratory and process improvements.
• Team player with collaboration.
• Curious and driven to expand product knowledge.
• Good problem-solving abilities.
• Performs well with autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Participate in projects to analyze materials for qualification, develop new products, and provide technical support to commercial and operations.
• Participate in trials and inspections on the production floor and collect, document and test samples as needed.
• Assist with CTQs and data collection.
• Develop test plans and complete necessary testing for assigned projects.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data related to projects.
• Formulate and perform drawdowns as required.
• Continually develop skills related to release liners, tapes, and materials testing.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to provide support and ensure issue resolution.
• Provide input on equipment modifications and improvements to expand laboratory capabilities.
• Test against established specifications and make recommendations based on results.
• Generate TDS as requested.
• Present data to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.
• Own standard lab functions such as test panel prep, sample prep, lab maintenance, performance testing, and data entry.

Skills

Lab environment familiarity

Time management

Excel proficiency

Communication

Analytical skills

Self-starter

Team player

Problem-solving

Autonomy

Data processing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry / physics / material science or related field

Tools

Job description

R&D Lab Technician supports the Technical Department by preparing samples and running physical performance testing. As tasks are assigned, this individual will be responsible for setting their own pace to complete assignments on time and maintain the laboratory. The individual must understand basic scientific processes and be able to follow written standardized test methods. Given that this role is part of a dynamic and evolving team, there is room for both personal and career development for an individual who shows commitment to the role and takes the initiative to engage in unassigned projects.

Responsibilities

• Participate in projects to analyze materials for qualification, develop new products, and provide technical support to commercial and operations
• Participate in trials and inspections on the production floor and collect, document and test samples as needed
• Assists with CTQs and data collection
• Develop test plans and complete necessary testing for assigned projects
• Collect, organize, and analyze data relating to relevant projects
• Formulate and perform drawdowns when required
• Continually develop skills and knowledge related to release liners, tapes, and other materials testing
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Customer Service, Quality, and Operations teams to provide support and ensure effective issue resolution.
• Provide input and ideas on equipment modifications and improvements to expand laboratory testing capabilities
• Test against established specifications for products and materials, and make recommendations based on test results
• Generate TDS as requested
• Effectively process and present data to audiences of various technical backgrounds
• Own and complete standard lab functions such as: test panel preparation, sample preparation, laboratory maintenance, performance testing, data entry, and observe production of and collecting samples from production floor

Qualifications: Skills, Education, and Experience

Required

• Working towards Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, material science or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Comfortable in a lab environment
• Proficient in office suites, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word
• Strong time management skills to manage multiple ongoing projects
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexibility with working hours during major trials
• Strong analytical and data processing skills
• Self-starter motivated to identify and implement laboratory and process improvements
• Team player with the ability to contribute effectively on collaborative projects
• Curious and driven to expand product knowledge
• Good problem-solving abilities
• Performs well with high degree of autonomy

Preferred:

• Strong analytical chemistry skills
• Polymer science experience, especially experience with tapes, pressure sensitive adhesives, or polymer carriers
• Prior experience with technical service or manufacturing environment
• Previous experience with new product introduction and scale-up
• Prior experience with PSTC testing or relevant ASTM standards for material testing