Reactor Operator / Laboratory Technician

Kelly Services; Freeport (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement savings plan

Holiday pay and paid time off

Transit spending account

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Reactor Operator / Laboratory Technician for our Lake Jackson, TX site. You will operate batch polymerization and Parr reactors, perform chemical reactions, and support experimental activities across the lab.

You will document procedures, maintain data integrity, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while collaborating with chemists and engineers in a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of laboratory experience required.
• Associate's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or related technical field preferred, with relevant work experience.
• Familiarity with chemical reactors, laboratory instrumentation, and safety protocols is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain batch polymerization and Parr reactors to evaluate catalyst performance under various conditions.
• Conduct chemical reactions using glassware and stainless-steel reactors; maintain data integrity and troubleshoot in real time.
• Assist in assembling, modifying, and maintaining new reactor systems and lab setups.
• Support experimental activities using GC, viscosity devices, and data loggers.
• Collaborate with chemists, engineers, and technologists as a resource for process questions and reactor operations.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on lab and reactor equipment; replace components and install tubing.
• Accurately document procedures, maintain safety records, and ensure compliance with regulations for chemical waste disposal.
• Maintain lab inventory and anticipate supply needs; ensure a safe, organized work environment.
• Participate in safety programs through proper PPE and safety checks.

Skills

Self-starter

Troubleshooting

Effective communicator

SOP adherence

Safety consciousness

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree in Chemistry/ Biology

Tools

Gas Chromatographs

Viscosity measurement devices

Data loggers

Job description

Job Title: Reactor Operator / Laboratory Technician

Location: Lake Jackson, TX

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours/week

Are you passionate about chemistry and eager to make an impact in innovative process R&D? We’re seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Reactor Operator/Laboratory Technician to join our team in Lake Jackson! This is an exciting opportunity to support chemical research, including polymerizations, and contribute to projects from concept to commercialization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain batch polymerization and Parr reactors to evaluate new catalyst performance under various experimental conditions.
• Conduct chemical reactions using glassware and stainless‑steel reactors, maintain data integrity, and troubleshoot in real time.
• Assist in assembling, modifying, and maintaining new reactor systems and laboratory setups.
• Support experimental activities by using analytical instruments such as gas chromatographs, viscosity measurement devices, and data loggers.
• Collaborate with chemists, engineers, and technologists—serving as a key resource for process questions and reactor operations.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on laboratory and reactor equipment, including replacing components and installing new tubing as needed.
• Accurately document experimental procedures, maintain safety records, and ensure compliance with RCRA regulations for chemical waste disposal.
• Maintain lab inventory, anticipate supply needs, and ensure a safe and organized work environment.
• Contribute to safety programs through active participation in safety meetings, adhering to proper PPE, and performing safety checks.

What We’re Looking For:

• A self-starter with the drive to learn new process technologies and technical skills.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail, with a clear focus on safe chemical handling.
• Excellent communicator who can work effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to reliably follow standard operating procedures and accurately document results.
• Flexibility to tackle routine tasks and support evolving research initiatives.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of laboratory experience required.
• Associate's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related technical field, plus relevant work experience, preferred.
• Familiarity with chemical reactors, laboratory instrumentation, and safety protocols is highly desired.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type.

• Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability.
• As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account.
• In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly ® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.