Job Summary
The R&D Operator supports product development, product maintenance and raw-material evaluation through the accurate execution of laboratory trials, sample preparation, testing and technical documentation. The role provides reliable experimental data and practical support to R&D projects, validation activities and industrialization under the direction of the R&D Manager or Senior R&D Operator.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare samples, formulations, laboratory batches and test specimens according to approved trial plans, methods and safety instructions.
- Perform assigned laboratory tests, characterization activities and comparative evaluations for development, reformulation, product-maintenance and raw-material-evaluation projects.
- Record experimental conditions, raw data, observations, calculations and results accurately, contemporaneously and completely in approved project records or laboratory systems.
- Maintain traceability of raw materials, samples, formulations, test specimens and retained project samples.
- Support laboratory and plant trials by preparing materials, collecting data, documenting observations and completing assigned technical follow-up activities.
- Support preparation of technical reports, data summaries, samples and documentation required for project reviews, validation and R&D-to-QC transfer.
- Identify and promptly report unexpected experimental results, equipment issues, sample-identity concerns, safety risks, deviations from the trial plan or data-recording errors.
- Maintain assigned R&D equipment, materials, reagents, workspaces and records in accordance with applicable laboratory, safety and document-control procedures.
- Develop competence in the product families, materials, methods and equipment assigned by the R&D Manager; specialization in organic or inorganic product families may be assigned
Decision authority
- Executes only activities, methods and equipment operations for which trained and authorized.
- May make routine adjustments explicitly permitted by an approved trial plan or method; all other changes require direction from the Senior R&D Operator or R&D Manager.
- Escalate to a senior where safety, sample identity, equipment condition, test validity or data integrity is compromised.
- Cannot approve formulas, technical conclusions, methods, specifications, transfer packages, project gates or production changes.
Key interfaces
- Senior R&D Operator, R&D Manager
- Success measures
- Timely and accurate execution of assigned trials and tests.
- Completeness, traceability and right-first-time quality of experimental records.
- Compliance with safety, trial, sample-management and equipment procedures.
- Timely escalation of anomalies and effective upkeep of assigned laboratory areas.
- Progression of individual technical qualification against the R&D competence matrix.
Required qualifications and experience
- Technical diploma in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Laboratory Technology, Materials Science or related discipline; a degree is preferred but not mandatory where equivalent relevant experience is demonstrated.
- 2 to 4 years’ experience in admixture laboratory (formulation, concrete trials, product improvement). Additional experience of Cement grinding aids will be considered a plus.
- Basic knowledge or initial experience in laboratory testing, sample preparation, materials or product-related technical activities.
- Ability to work in a structured laboratory environment with accuracy, discipline and respect for timelines.
- Interest in developing knowledge of construction-chemical products, raw materials, test methods and industrial processes.
Competencies
Technical
- Sample preparation, basic formulation work and laboratory test execution.
- Accurate collection and recording of experimental data.
- Basic use of authorized laboratory equipment and materials.
- Awareness of validation, industrialization and technical-documentation requirements will be considered as a plus.
Behavioral
- Curiosity and learning agility.
- Precision, reliability and procedural discipline.
- Teamwork and constructive communication.
- Safety, quality and data-integrity mindset.
