Research and Development Technician

Research and Development Technician

Research & Development TechnicianTracking Code215909-935Job Description
The Research & Development Technician will have the challenging opportunity to integrate into existing project teams that are key driving forces for strategic growth and development at TPC Group.  This candidate will be a self-starter and will demonstrate the ability to successfully execute a broad range of tasks and adhere to all safety and environmental compliance initiatives with minimal supervision.  He/she will be proficient and have a thorough understanding of constructing, operating and maintaining lab equipment such as distillation apparatus, various reactor systems, autoclaves and analytical instrumentation.  The successful candidate will participate in projects that offer ownership, teamwork and effective communications with a cross section of engineers and chemists. This successful candidate will have the technical dexterity and ability to learn and implement change management, while executing upon competing priorities by understanding a changing work culture that is immersed in strategic growth projects.  Reporting to the Director of Research & Development and Quality Control, the Research & Development Technician will demonstrate success by completing and ensuring quality experimental and analytical results of targeted project experimentation within established timelines.  He/she will offer excellence through documenting experimental test results, working closely with technical professionals (chemists and engineers) and translating laboratory results into commercial uired Skills
The Research & Development Technician will be responsible for operating laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation to complete experimental protocols. In a short time frame, he/she will learn and demonstrate performance on operation of assigned lab reactor systems and effectively demonstrate operation of analytical equipment.  The successful candidate will contribute to the process improvements through the use of lab equipment, participate in design teams and safety reviews for laboratory equipment used onsite and will be involved in the construction of lab reactor systems.   Key Responsibilities include:
* Conducts lab experiments and analysis to accomplish product and process improvement and development.
* Follows all preset safety guidelines.
* Maintains a clean lab facility through proper housekeeping.
* Builds and installs new equipment.
* Operates lab systems including start up, operation, and shut down.
* Performs and ensures reliability of lab equipment through regular maintenance.
* Calculates mass and mole balances, conversions, selectivity and yields.
* Documents and communicates lab results concisely.
* Maintains an accurate chemical inventory for the department by ordering new chemicals as needed.
* Ensures that proper department's waste disposal policies are followed.
* Performs a variety of routine, basic office/field tasks guided by detailed instructions using standard equipment, computers and established procedures.
* Understands organization, functions, roles and responsibilities; requires working with others to gather information.
* Assists lab/field personnel in conducting or witnessing field or lab tests. Certifies the accuracy of the data reported for that sample.
* Conducts research experimentation for  product development and process improvement uired Experience
The Research & Development Technician will be strongly suited for demonstrating success in laboratory safety, being detail oriented and exhibiting practical application in laboratory experience.  He/she will possess strong problem solving skills with an ability to rectify situations from multiple angles and provide relevant perspective aligned with company policies and procedures in order to successfully complete assigned tasks.  The successful candidate will have 5 plus years of industrial research laboratory, pilot plant or operations experience.  He/she must have a Certificate or AAS in Process Technology.  Additional 5 years of on-the-job industrial experience can be substituted in lieu of certificate and associates degree.    More specifically, the successful candidate will possess the following qualifications and competencies:
* 5+ years industrial research laboratory, pilot plant or operations experience
* Certificate or AAS in Process Technology
* Good communication and written skills.
* Strong computer skills.
* Good communication and lab notebook protocol 
* Attention to detail a must.
* Possesses a high learning agility.
* Ability to work in a fast paced environment and adapts easily to changes.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Good communication skills both verbally and in written form.
* Ability to follow and implement directions for lab experiments.
* Ability to maintain confidentiality in regards to patents, proprietary information, etc.
* Works on assignments that are semi-routine in nature but recognizes the need for occasional deviation from accepted practice.
* Applies acquired job skills and company policies and procedures to complete assigned tasks
In summary, the Research and Development Technician will be a well spoken, detail-oriented, professional who requires minimal direction, possessing high levels of initiative and direction.  He/she will be positioned to be an integral part of the Research and Development team that is accountable for the development of new products or procedures and to improve existing products, both critical to the strategic growth of TPC Group and its ability to expand its LocationHouston, TX USPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular