The posting
About the role
Thermulon is a UK aerogel insulation company developing a cost-competitive manufacturing process. We are scaling from pilot into commercial-scale production to serve European and global customers.
The Lab Technician runs Thermulon's 25 L pilot reactor end to end, from reagent preparation through to finished aerogel powder, and owns downstream powder handling and product characterisation, including thermal conductivity and density testing. This is a hands-on role in a small, lean organisation for an experienced operator who takes pride in consistent, well-documented batches. You'll work closely with our process engineers and chemists, and help train newer team members.
Location: Thermulon laboratories, Westbourne Studios, London W10
First round interviews will take place w/c 16th November.
What this role needs from you
You'll live Thermulon's values: Safe, Collaborate, Impact, Pace, Innovate and Grow. In practice that means:
- An uncompromising attitude to safety when handling chemicals and powders, and the confidence to stop a job if something isn't right.
- Real diligence and care for batch records and test data that engineers and customers rely on.
- Genuine energy for hands-on work, close to the detail, and seeing batches through to completion.
- A practical problem solver, comfortable in a developing process where not every procedure is yet fixed.
- A team player who enjoys sharing know-how and helping newer colleagues build their skills.
- Comfort working in a small, fast-moving organisation where you'll help shape how things are done.
Key accountabilities
- Handle hazardous chemicals in line with risk assessments, COSHH and PPE requirements; contribute to risk assessments and keep the work area clean and organised.
- Run reactor batches end to end, from reagent and stock solution preparation and charging through to finished dry powder.
- Work to SOPs and batch records, recording process parameters, observations and deviations accurately and in real time.
- Sieve, weigh, blend, package and label aerogel powder, with good dust control and contamination prevention.
- Perform thermal conductivity measurements and bulk and tapped density testing; prepare samples and log results in our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Set up, clean and maintain the reactor, sieves and test instruments; carry out routine calibration checks and report faults.
- Track powder and raw material stock, transfers and shipments, keeping inventory records and LIMS entries up to date.
- Help train and coach newer technicians, and help write and improve SOPs as the process matures.
- Support process engineers and scientists with trials, troubleshooting and improvements to yield, consistency and throughput.
Requirements
We welcome applicants who don't tick every box. If you tick most of them and are keen to learn the rest, we encourage you to apply.
Essential
- Hands-on experience operating chemical process equipment, such as batch reactors, pilot plant or scale-up equipment, in a lab, pilot or manufacturing setting.
- Experience handling hazardous chemicals under SOPs, risk assessments and COSHH.
- A track record of accurate, diligent record keeping, such as batch records, logbooks or LIMS.
- Experience with powder handling (weighing, sieving, transfer) and/or routine analytical testing.
- A relevant qualification (e.g. HNC/HND, BTEC or BSc in Chemistry, Chemical/Process Engineering or Materials Science), or equivalent practical experience.
Desirable
- Knowledge of silica-based chemistry.
- Experience using a LIMS and stock or inventory tracking systems.
- Familiarity with thermal conductivity, density or particle-size testing.
- Manual handling and safe chemical storage good practice.
Benefits
Job Type: Full-time, London-based, Permanent
Salary:
Wellbeing:
- 30 days' holiday.
- Flexible working outside core hours, based on workload and team agreements.
- Private medical insurance for you and your dependants (medical, dental, mental health, wellbeing, alternative treatments and travel insurance).
- £600 a year health and wellbeing allowance to spend on what helps you most, from a gym membership to a spa day or therapy sessions.
- Ride to work scheme: a new bicycle and equipment through salary sacrifice, with tax savings.
You'll be supported by a mentor from the technical team, with a clear progression route within the Thermulon Career Path.
We are especially keen to encourage applications from people underrepresented in the deep tech and climate space. Climate change and climate justice are both social and inclusion issues. We especially welcome applicants with experience across all equality and inclusion challenges, and applicants whose experience differs from exactly what is specified here.
