Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician/ R&D Materials Science Lab Contractor

Locations:
Downers Grove, Il, 60515

Duration:
Continued as needed – no end date (temporary with potential for full-time hire)

Hours:

Mon-Fri 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated laboratory technician to support our research and development (R&D) labs, including the new product development, second sourcing, and value engineering teams. This is a temporary position with the potential for a full-time opportunity based on performance and business needs.

In this role, you will perform analytical testing on ingredients and finished products using a variety of advanced laboratory instruments. You'll also manage shelf-life and accelerated aging studies, contributing valuable data to our R&D initiatives. Once trained, the ideal candidate will be able to work independently and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Conduct analytical testing of ingredients, powders, ready-to-drink beverages, and sports nutrition bars using equipment such as:

• Dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer
• Dynamic vapor sorption (DVS)
• Polarized light microscope
• Rheometer
• Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC)
• Shear cell
• Other advanced lab instruments

• Prepare and monitor ingredient and product samples for accelerated aging and shelf-life studies, and perform testing at designated intervals.

• Record, organize, and format data using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Gain proficiency in software specific to each analytical instrument used in the lab.

Minimum requirements:

• Associate's degree in food science, nutrition, biology, chemistry, or a related scientific field.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, nutrition, biology, chemistry, or a related field.

• 1–2 years of relevant laboratory experience in an academic or industrial setting.

• Experience with advanced analytical instrumentation and laboratory best practices.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced R&D environment and work with cutting-edge analytical tools to help bring new and improved products to market.

The work is classified as light - medium physical demand level (PDL) by the US Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Frequencies: occasional (1-33%); frequent (34-66%); constant (67-100%).