Laboratory Technician

Hydrograph USA INC•Austin, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

HydroGraph is seeking a motivated and hands-on R&D Laboratory Technician to join their next-generation graphene research team in Austin, Texas. This team is focused on inventing new graphene materials by developing and refining synthesis routes, precursors, process conditions, and chemical reactions to produce novel graphene powders with tuneable morphology, functionalization, and performance. This is a core experimental support role where the technician will set up and operate laboratory synthesis equipment, run repeated trials according to standard operating procedures (SOPs), collect and prepare research samples, capture data accurately, and maintain lab safety and efficiency. The role involves working closely with R&D scientists and the Advanced Manufacturing team as new materials progress from discovery to scale-up. The ideal candidate will have an academic background in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline and is looking to gain industrial R&D experience in advanced materials. Full training on synthesis platforms and analytical methods will be provided.

Requirements

BS degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline (an Associate degree with relevant hands-on laboratory experience will also be considered).
Basic laboratory experience gained through university coursework or projects, internships, co-ops, or industry.
Good understanding of laboratory safety and general good laboratory practice.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in following written procedures and recording data.
Strong organizational and time management skills; able to manage repeated trials and multiple parallel tasks.
Good communication and teamwork abilities.
Comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory environment, including with powders, chemicals, and process equipment.
Basic computer skills including Excel and accurate data entry.
Legally authorized to work in the United States and able to work on-site in Austin, Texas.
Able to perform the physical aspects of the role, including standing for extended periods, lifting materials and gas cylinders with appropriate assistance, and wearing required PPE including respiratory protection where applicable.

Nice To Haves

6–24 months of industrial or academic laboratory experience in materials synthesis, powder processing, or chemical process operations.
Exposure to nanomaterials, carbon materials, or graphene, and awareness of safe nanopowder handling practices.
Experience with gas handling, pressure systems, reactors, furnaces, or vacuum equipment.
Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as particle size analysis, BET surface area, TGA, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, or SEM — including sample preparation for these methods.
Basic mechanical aptitude and comfort with hand tools, fittings, and simple equipment assembly.
Experience with lab inventory, purchasing, or shipping processes (including dangerous goods or hazardous materials shipping awareness).
Experience working in a fast-paced R&D, pilot plant, or manufacturing support environment.

Responsibilities

Set up, configure, and prepare laboratory equipment and instruments for planned experiments, including reactors, gas handling systems, furnaces, filtration, and drying/collection apparatus.
Execute repeated synthesis trials to prepare research samples in strict accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and experimental run sheets.
Monitor experiments in progress, track process conditions, and record observations in real time.
Collect, label, split, and archive synthesized powder samples for downstream characterization.
Carry out routine sample preparation for analytical testing and support basic in-house characterization such as density measurement, Raman Spectroscopy, TGA, FTIR, and BET etc.
Flag anomalies, off-spec results, and equipment irregularities promptly to the responsible scientist.
Support equipment commissioning, calibration checks, and routine performance verification.
Work closely with R&D scientists on day-to-day experimental activities and with the Advanced Manufacturing team on scale-up-relevant trials.
Assist with research sample preparation, packaging, documentation, and shipment to internal teams, external laboratories, and project partners.
Communicate results, observations, and issues clearly to the R&D team in daily stand-ups and project meetings.
Contribute practical observations from repeated hands-on runs that help refine SOPs and experimental design.
Coordinate with colleagues to sequence lab and equipment time efficiently across concurrent projects.
Record experimental data accurately and legibly, and maintain complete, contemporaneous laboratory notebooks.
Enter experimental and analytical data into internal databases, spreadsheets, and electronic record systems.
Prepare basic reports, charts, and summaries of results for R&D team review and discussion.
Maintain sample inventories and traceability between synthesis runs, sample IDs, and characterization results.
Follow good documentation practice and support the team in capturing information needed for internal reviews and intellectual property records.
Order and manage lab supplies, consumables, chemicals, and gases; track stock levels and lead times to avoid experimental downtime.
Source and purchase parts, fittings, and hardware needed for experiments from local suppliers, including running errands as required.
Perform routine preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting on lab equipment; coordinate service visits and repairs with vendors.
Assist with minor lab builds and modifications, such as assembling fittings, tubing, and simple fixtures for experimental setups.
Maintain equipment logs, maintenance records, and chemical inventories.
Follow all safety protocols and correct handling procedures for chemicals, materials, gases, and equipment.
Use required personal protective equipment and work in accordance with risk assessments, SDS requirements, and site safety rules.
Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free workspace.
Segregate, label, and dispose of waste materials properly in line with applicable regulations and company procedures.
Participate in safety training, toolbox talks, housekeeping audits, and incident/near-miss reporting.
Support the team in keeping risk assessments and SOPs current as new materials and processes are introduced.