Laboratory Technician (Highways Construction Materials)

The Highway Laboratory provides specialist testing and advice on the suitability and use of Construction Materials as well as approval testing on new construction and investigations of older roads to inform best remedial options.

Th carry out materials testing both inside and outside the laboratory in order to deliver the requirements of the service. Testing is carried out using a range of specialist equipment and tools following published standards and in house methods.

Main Responsibilities

In this role, you will undertake a wide variety of laboratory and site testing, meaning that days are often varied, work is both pre-planned and reactive with the need to respond quickly to a priority requirement.

You will:

• learn various test methods under the instruction of senior staff and demonstrate competence via a process of internal auditing.
• carry out laboratory testing involving sample receipt, preparation, testing and data processing on a range of materials, soils, aggregates, bituminous materials and concrete.
• carry out field testing on natural ground, and man-made Highways Construction Materials which may involve sampling materials from stockpiles or operating trailer mounted coring rigs.

The Ideal Candidate

While a working knowledge or experience in the testing of soils and Construction Materials or site investigations and insitu testing of soils and other materials is beneficial, you will also need to:

• demonstrate an ability to work within a team to meet changing workload requirements, and the ability to work well on your own.
• be willing to learn new things and undertake training and assessment.
• have good time management.
• be happy to work both inside and outdoors; this may be on construction sites, on the highways, or undeveloped land.
• have good attention to detail; the results determined from laboratory testing have major real-world implications.
• have practical ability and problem-solving skills.
• have ICT skills competent with software packages such as Microsoft Office.