Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Lab Technician to join our Specialty Additives business at our Zwijndrecht, NL location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the R&D function. This position will report to EU Innovation lead Specialty additives R&D
The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Laboratory Support & Experimentation
- Prepare, set up, and execute routine laboratory procedures and small-scale experiments under the direction of Scientists.
- Assist with method development and troubleshooting, offering practical insights from hands-on experience.
- Collect, analyze, and record data with accuracy.
- Calibrate, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment (balances, viscometers, mixers, pH meters, analytical tools, etc.).
- Write and maintain equipment SOPs
- Perform standardized performance and quality tests on industrial chemical materials (e.g., polymers, surfactants, coatings, additives depending on the business).
- Document test conditions, material flows, deviations, and results in a clear, consistent format.
- Properly store, label, use, handle and dispose of chemicals.
- Ensure compliance with internal procedures, regulatory standards, and good laboratory practices (GLP).
- Manage inventory of chemicals, consumables, and standards.
- Lead equipment upkeep and coordinate service or repairs as needed.
- Identify productivity gaps and contribute to process improvements.
- Maintain accurate electronic lab notebooks, sample logs, and test reports.
- Summarize results for chemists, project teams, and cross-functional partners.
- Support preparation of technical documents, presentations, and reports.
- Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
- Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others
To be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:
- Technical education in chemistry, chemical technology, materials science, or related field.
- MBO, HBO-BSc, WO-BSc with 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in industrial, applied, or product-development and preferably a coatings laboratory experience especially in industrial coatings.
- Strong understanding of lab instrumentation, measurement techniques, and safety practices.
- Solid data discipline—meticulous note-taking, consistent documentation, and reliability under pressure.
- Ability to juggle multiple projects and still know where every sample is hiding.
- Always demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior
- The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating new and different
The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:
- Practical lab experience with polymers, coatings, specialty chemicals, or process chemistry.
- Comfort supporting pilot-scale operations or manufacturing trials.
- Hands-on mechanical aptitude
- Works under limited or no supervision for routine and non-routine situations and determines methods and procedures on new assignments.
In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.
Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.