Junior Lab Manager (m/w/d) – Sample Preparation

Who we are

We're building the operating system for materials analysis. Right now, scientists spend far too much time battling outdated tools just to analyze their crystallographic data. That slows down progress in fields like renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. We're fixing it! In just 18 months, Momentum Transfer has gone from spinout to seed-funded startup to the go-to platform for powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements as a service. More than 2,300 researchers already rely on us to push their work forward.

The role

This is a hands-on role where you'll help build and run our powder sample preparation facility in Hamburg. You'll work alongside our team to establish the operation — from setting up workstations and following SOPs to processing customer samples for synchrotron measurements. You'll be in close communication with the operational team in Grenoble who measure the samples at the synchrotron beamline. You'll receive guidance and mentorship as you develop — an opportunity to grow your expertise in a supportive environment as the lab grows.

Your day-to-day

• Strategic planning & setup – help set up workstations, organize equipment, and maintain lab cleanliness and order
• Sample preparation – receive, log, prepare, and package powder samples for XRD measurements following established protocols
• Quality & process – follow standard operating procedures, document your work, and ensure consistent quality
• Equipment & maintenance – perform routine maintenance on instruments, manage consumables, and report issues promptly
• Logistics & coordination – assist with sample shipping to synchrotron facilities and track sample status
• Learning & improvement – learn new techniques, suggest improvements, and develop your skills as the lab grows

Who this is for

• Basic hands-on lab experience – you've worked in a lab before, even briefly. You handle samples carefully, follow protocols precisely, and keep a workspace clean and organized. Experience with powder samples or sample preparation is a plus; glove box experience would be great but isn't required
• Practical problem-solver – when equipment breaks, samples arrive damaged, or timelines shift, you stay calm, communicate clearly, and work with the team to find solutions
• Organized and detail-oriented – sample tracking, inventory, and documentation matter to you. When you say something is done, it's done right
• Eager to learn – you're comfortable asking questions, learning new techniques, and gradually taking on more responsibility
• Team player – you communicate clearly, take feedback well, and work collaboratively in a small, international team
• No PhD required – you need foundational practical skills, eagerness to learn, reliability, and a genuine love for lab work

Why join us

Joining Momentum Transfer means building something from the ground up. You won't just maintain someone else's lab — you'll help create one, with real opportunities to learn and grow. You'll be part of a mission that matters: accelerating materials research for energy, healthcare, and sustainability. Every sample you prepare contributes to scientific discoveries worldwide. You'll work with a supportive team that values quality and craftsmanship, and you'll have significant room to develop your skills and advance as we scale our operations.