Lab Technician at Kunin in Chattanooga, TN

Summary: Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies. The Lab Technician will be responsible for preparing polymer solutions, running chemistry reactions, and generating samples to support R&D efforts in optimizing ion-exchange media. Responsibilities: - Prepare polymer solutions, dopes, and reagent mixtures following established protocols for experiments - Set up and execute reactions under direction from chemists and engineers - Prepare samples for analytical testing including DSC/TGA thermal analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and ICP-OES - Perform basic wet chemistry measurements - titrations, pH, conductivity - and swelling/mass optake studies on polymer samples - Maintain detailed lab notebooks with complete documentation of procedures, observations, deviations, and results - Manage chemical inventory, coordinate reagent orders, and maintain proper waste segregation and disposal per EHS protocols - Keep laboratory organized, clean, and compliant with safety standards including proper handling of organic solvents and PPE requirements - Support scale-up trials by preparing bulk sample quantities and assisting with reaction monitoring Required Qualifications: - High school diploma - 1-5 years of hands-on experience in a chemistry, polymer, or materials science laboratory - Comfortable with bench chemistry - solution preparation, reaction set-up, filtration, drying, and basic characterization techniques - Experience handling organic solvents and hazardous materials with strict adherence to safety protocols and PPE requirements - Meticulous documenter who maintains complete, legible lab notebooks and follows SOPs precisely - Organized and proactive in maintaining lab cleanliness, chemical inventory, and equipment readiness - Team player who takes direction well and supports multiple scientists and engineers simultaneously - Must be willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN - Flexibility for extended hours during critical project phases Required Skills: Polymer chemistry, Analytical testing, Wet chemistry techniques Important Skills: Safety protocols, Lab documentation Nice-to-Have Skills: Team player, Organizational skills Benefits: Gym, Sauna, Ice batch