Chemistry & Lab Operations Technician // Chemielaborant/in od. Chemietechniker/in

Your Mission

Radical Dot is hiring a Chemistry & Lab Operations Technician (Chemielaborant/in – Analytik & Laborbetrieb) (m/w/o) to join our R&D team and help advance our pioneering process for converting mixed plastic waste into valuable chemical building blocks.

You will work hands‑on in the lab, supporting our team of scientists and engineers in developing, optimizing, and scaling our chemical recycling technology. Your hands‑on expertise in analytical chemistry and maintenance will be key to ensuring high‑quality data generation, reliable results, and smooth lab operations.

As an early‑stage climate‑tech start‑up, this is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the development of cutting‑edge sustainable chemistry while growing your skills in an agile, collaborative and fun environment.

Tasks

Responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining lab equipment (e.g. reactors, analytical instruments), calibration, and documentation to ensure data integrity and compliance. Maintain preventative maintenance logs, perform simple troubleshooting and coordinate vendor interaction.
• Keep our lab running : manage consumables, gases, and inventory with reorder points; maintain tidy, audit‑ready benches.
• Conducting analytical measurements (i.e. GC-FID, titrations, XRF, GPC, TGA, and other methods) to characterize products, intermediates, and feedstocks.
• Support the R&D team in sample preparation and standard reaction work‑ups , including use of rotavap, flashing setups and filtration techniques.
• Preparing, handling, and analyzing polymer, chemical, and liquid samples according to established methods and safety standards.
• Assisting with method development and continuous improvement of analytical workflows including writing and updating SOPs
• Collaborating closely with the team to interpret results and optimize experimental processes.
• Support with SOP adherence, risk assessments, waste streams handling and regular PPE checks.

Requirements

Your Skillset

• Vocational training (CTA, BTA, Chemielaborant/in, or equivalent) and/or degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field .
• 3+ years of professional experience in relevant laboratory set up as a chemical laboratory technician, analytical chemist, or similar role.
• Experience operating and maintaining bench‑scale pressure reactors (i.e. Parr reactors, etc) and familiarity with standard maintenance and operation.
• Hands‑on experience in analytical chemistry in techniques such as GC, HPLC, IC, and spectroscopy.
• Solid understanding of laboratory safety standards and best practices for handling chemicals.
• Excellent organizational skills , attention to detail, and self‑driven.
• Proficiency in English; German is a strong advantage.

Your Mindset

• Hands‑on and precise , with a passion for experimental work.
• Curious and problem‑solving , eager to understand chemical processes and analytical results.
• Team‑oriented , thriving in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
• Safety‑conscious and methodical in all lab activities.
• Motivated by impact and contributing to sustainable solutions for plastic waste.
• Adaptable , ready to grow with a fast‑moving start‑up environment.
• Ambitious , with opportunities to grow in different roles over times.

Benefits

The Offered Set Up

• Full‑time role (40h/week)
• Location: Garching on TUM Campus (until December 2026, we will move in 2027 to another location in Munich)
• Starting Date: January 2026
• Compensation: 40-55k€ (to be negotiated based on experience)