Lab Technician

About the role

ALS is hiring a Lab Technician in Johannesburg to carry out routine and non-routine instrumental analysis on its laboratory equipment. The role works in shifts of 11 hours and requires a solid understanding of analytical instrumentation and the GEMS software used for batching instrument runs.

Key responsibilities

• Follow ALS health and safety standards, company policies, procedures and SOPs.
• Keep the area tidy and handle samples and consumables correctly.
• Learn and use instrumental techniques such as ICP, AAS, MS, XRF and Leco, and run routine and non-routine analyses on the instruments you are trained on.
• Perform first-line, preventative and breakdown maintenance and basic troubleshooting on instruments and autosamplers.
• Use GEMS to batch instrument runs, prepare calibration standards, sample dilutions, instrument solutions and QC solutions (rinses, IEC, QC).
• Track samples, scan runs to the correct locations and fix QC problems so quality data meets production targets.
• Meet per-shift targets: 600 samples/ICP, 650 samples/ICP for base metals, 700 samples/AAS, 350 samples/ICP-MS, and 250 samples/Leco (C&S).
• Approve technician data, retrieve and dump racks with proper traceability, and assist other lab departments after training.

Required profile

• National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry or equivalent.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Citizen or permanent resident of the country of application, or able to obtain a valid working visa.
• Deep knowledge of classical wet chemistry or geochemical digestion methods.

Required skills

• Operate analytical instrumentation (AA and ICP).
• Good understanding of GEMS and of ALS instrumentation procedures.
• Good MS Word and Excel skills.
• Ability to identify HSE risks and work under pressure to strict deadlines.

To apply, submit an online application with a resume and cover letter.