Laboratory Student Placement

About Us

James Durrans & Sons is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of carbon-based products. We are a family-owned group of companies established in 1863, with headquarters near Sheffield, UK.

Due to the ongoing expansion of our Technical Department, we are looking to recruit an enthusiastic one-year industry student placement in our brand-new Laboratory at our Penistone, Sheffield site to become part of a team working on the testing and development of a wide range of carbon technologies.

These include materials for energy storage, friction products, recarburisers, and formulated products such as refractory coatings and forging lubricants. This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing technical department in a dynamic and future-oriented working environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in assisting R&D staff with project work, as well as carrying out routine testing and material analysis. You will also be assigned an individual project which will contribute towards your year in industry as part of your integrated degree course.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting R&D staff with new product developments
• Testing of products using a wide range of analytical techniques e.g., BET, TGA, XRD, SEM/EDX, and particle size/surface area analysis
• Working to strict quality protocols using standard laboratory practices, COSHH and SOPs
• Reporting of work in a timely and accurate manner
• General maintenance of laboratory areas and equipment

Requirements

• Studying for a degree in Chemistry or Materials Science; minimum on track degree 2.1 
  (Please provide first year results on CV)
• Good computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent organisational skills and a proven ability to prioritise workload and deadlines
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to liaise effectively with various departments across the group

The Benefits

• Subsidised canteen
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Culture

At Durrans we embrace an informal, people-driven culture; you will find that your co-workers will be as important to your day-to-day job as the work itself.

We believe good professional development is a marathon and not a sprint, and we are proud to say that we have fostered many employees in a life-long career with us.

We work directly with our customers to produce bespoke solutions to meet their industry needs; something we feel keeps our own working environment dynamic, rewarding and always with a strong sense of purpose. No project will be the same, and creativity and innovation will be core to your role and your development.

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