Lab Technician

Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pay Rate: £18.51 per hour
Contract: Temporary to August 2027 (with a strong likelihood of extension for the right candidate)

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Lab Technician to join our Sensory team in Southampton. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a specialist laboratory environment, supporting the analysis of flavour, aroma and volatile compounds through a range of chromatographic and analytical techniques.

The role will focus on the day-to-day running of the Chemosensory Laboratory, including sample preparation, analytical assessment, laboratory maintenance, and support for the identification and characterisation of known and unknown compounds. You will gain valuable hands-on experience across Gas Chromatography (GC), Liquid Chromatography (LC), Mass Spectrometry (MS) and related analytical technologies while contributing to cutting-edge chemosensory research and testing activities.

As a Lab Technician, you will:

• Support the day-to-day operation of the Chemosensory Laboratory and ensure analytical activities are completed efficiently and accurately.
• Prepare, organise, register and store samples for chemical and chemosensory assessments while maintaining full traceability of information.
• Assist with analytical testing across GC, GC-MS, LC and other complementary analytical platforms.
• Support the identification and characterisation of unknown compounds through library searching, spectral interpretation and sample preparation for confirmatory analyses.
• Maintain laboratory planning systems and accurately record technical and analytical information.
• Conduct routine laboratory checks, quality control activities and instrument maintenance.
• Support laboratory compliance, operational standards and health and safety requirements.
• Manage laboratory inventories, consumables and materials, ensuring the laboratory remains fully operational.
• Assist in transferring and integrating analytical activities from Applied Chemometrics into the Chemosensory team.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory processes and working practices.

• Experience working in an analytical chemistry laboratory environment.
• Hands-on experience preparing samples for chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis.
• Understanding of analytical chemistry principles and chromatographic techniques, including:
  • Gas Chromatography (GC)
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
  • Liquid Chromatography (LC)
• Knowledge of analytical approaches used for flavour, aroma and volatile compound analysis.
• Exposure to unknown compound identification processes, including:
  • Peak deconvolution
  • Library searching (e.g. NIST)
  • Retention index interpretation
  • Confirmatory sample preparation
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), sample management and routine instrument maintenance.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and implement practical solutions to technical challenges.
• Excellent organisational, planning and communication skills.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Positive, flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies, methods and evolving priorities.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Chemistry or a related scientific discipline (desirable).
• Proficiency in using laboratory databases and digital record-keeping systems.

• Gain hands-on experience with advanced analytical chemistry techniques.
• Work alongside experienced scientists within a specialist chemosensory environment.
• Develop expertise in flavour, aroma and volatile compound analysis.
• Be part of a collaborative and innovative scientific team.
• Opportunity for contract extension beyond August 2027 for high-performing candidates.

Ask yourself:

• Do you have experience working in an analytical chemistry laboratory?
• Are you familiar with chromatographic techniques such as GC, GC-MS or LC?
• Have you supported sample preparation, analytical testing or unknown compound investigations?

If you can answer yes to these questions, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step in your scientific career.