Job Description

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