Lab Technician (MN)
About The Position
The Lab Technician supports the Technical Department by preparing samples and conducting physical performance testing. The role requires understanding basic scientific processes and following written standardized test methods, managing assigned work to meet deadlines, and maintaining the laboratory. The position offers opportunities to develop professionally and contribute to additional projects through initiative and commitment. The Lab Technician works on materials qualification, product development, and technical support for Commercial and Operations teams. The role includes developing test plans, collecting and analyzing project data, testing materials against specifications, maintaining and calibrating laboratory equipment, and communicating results to audiences with varied technical backgrounds. Work is primarily in a chemical laboratory and office, with occasional visits to the manufacturing plant floor. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, or material science; degrees in math or statistics will also be considered. Applicants should be comfortable in chemical laboratory and plant environments, proficient with office software—particularly Microsoft Excel and Word—and able to manage multiple projects, communicate effectively, analyze data, solve problems, and work autonomously and collaboratively. Flexibility in working hours is needed during major trials. Less than 5% domestic travel is required. The position may involve extended sitting and computer work, occasional standing and walking on the plant floor, navigating around equipment, and lifting and carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds. Appropriate PPE, including steel-toe safety shoes and safety glasses, is required during plant-floor visits, in accordance with OSHA, SQF, and company safety policies.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics, or material science; math and statistics degrees will also be considered.
- Comfort working in chemical laboratory and plant environments.
- Proficiency 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.
- Ability to contribute effectively to collaborative projects as a team player.
- Curiosity and drive to expand product knowledge.
- Good problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to perform well with a high degree of autonomy.
- Ability to comply with OSHA safety standards, SQF regulations, and company safety policies and to wear PPE when necessary.
- Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Less than 5% domestic travel required.
Nice To Haves
- Strong analytical chemistry skills.
- Polymer science experience, especially with silicone release coatings, release liners, polymeric films, paper substrates, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and tapes.
- Prior experience in technical service or a manufacturing environment.
- Previous experience with new product introduction and scale-up.
- Prior experience with PSTC testing or relevant ASTM standards for material testing.
Responsibilities
- Participate in and eventually lead projects to analyze materials for qualification, develop new products, and provide technical support to Commercial and Operations teams.
- Participate in production-floor trials and inspections and collect samples as needed.
- Develop test plans and complete testing for assigned projects.
- Collect, organize, and analyze data relating to projects.
- Continually develop skills and knowledge related to release coatings, release liners, tapes, and other materials testing.
- Manage instrument calibrations and maintain existing and new laboratory equipment in good working condition.
- Provide input and ideas on equipment modifications and improvements to expand laboratory testing capabilities.
- Test products and materials against established specifications and make recommendations based on test results.
- Process and present data effectively to audiences with varied technical backgrounds.
- Complete standard lab functions, including coating draw-downs, test-panel preparation, sample preparation, laboratory maintenance, performance testing, and data entry.
- Observe production and collect samples from the production floor.
Benefits
- Competitive pay and benefits.
- Exposure to real-world manufacturing and product development environments.
- Opportunities to learn, grow, and take ownership of projects.
- A collaborative, supportive technical team environment.
- The chance to make a measurable impact on products and performance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
