R&D Technician/Chemist
Pasadena
Job Description Job Description Monument Chemical Job Description
Position Title:
R&D Technician/Chemist
Job Status:
Full Time
Reports To: (position)
R&D Group Leader or R&D Director
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Department:
R&D
Work Schedule:
Day
Description
The R&D Technician/Chemist analyzes samples, maintains laboratory facilities/equipment, and conducts laboratory experiments to test separations (primarily distillation) and reactions for internal and external customers. In addition, the R&D technician records data, contributes to laboratory safety/housekeeping, and assists in the preparation of reports and presentations. For the right candidate, this position has the potential to grow in scope and responsibilities.
Essential Functions / Key Accountabilities
1. Practices good laboratory hygiene and housekeeping, including inventory management and documentation.
2. Works safely and proactively helps the R&D team maintain a safe working environment.
3. Collaborates extensively with the laboratory supervisor for distillation/reaction start-up and operation.
4. Supports R&D other Chemists in the laboratory by conducting accurate analytical testing of feedstocks, intermediates, and finished products. Engages with QA/QC personnel if specific or non-routine analyses are needed.
5. Performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment such as: GCs, titrators, vacuum pumps, liquid pumps, combustion analyzers, flash point, boiling point range, and thermal testing apparatus. Basic mechanical skills, competence with hand tools, and troubleshooting experience are highly desired.
6. Assembles, cleans, tests, and operates distillation columns to perform laboratory scale (approx. 0.5 to 4 kg) separations.
7. Assembles, cleans, tests, and laboratory scale reactors (approx. 0.5 to 2 kg) reactors.
8. Conducts corrosion experiments under given conditions to protect the mechanical integrity of the plant equipment.
9. Organizes, tabulates, and performs simple analyses of data from laboratory experiments.
10. Creates drafts of laboratory reports including all technical and analytical information.
11. Identifies opportunities for process improvements.
Education
Minimum of a High School degree with appropriate experience, BS in Chemistry or a related field is preferred.
Experience / Required Skills
A minimum of two years of hands-on laboratory experience, organic synthesis is preferred.
Basic knowledge and familiarity with distillations, glassware handling, and analytical chemistry to characterize organic compounds.
Excellent manual skills to properly operate, maintain, repair and troubleshoot delicate equipment.
Knowledge of routine wet chemical techniques and general laboratory practices
Working knowledge of gas chromatography.
Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
Computer and writing (English) skills to accurately and succinctly summarize experimental observations for written reports.
Ability to follow detailed procedures and instructions with a high level of detail.
Ability to work effectively with intermittent supervision once trained.
Ability to generate reproducible lab test results that can be used with confidence for scale-up.
Good interpersonal skills, fostering cooperation and communication with R&D members and other Monument employees.
Certifications / Licenses List any required and preferred certifications/licenses
Physical Demands
See physical requirements for technicians. Physical Requirements-Ops, Log, Maint & Other Techs.docx