Analytical Chemistry Graduate – Chemical and Gas Reclamation

A specialised industrial and environmental services organisation is seeking a Junior Laboratory Analyst to join their small, dedicated team based in Montague Gardens, Cape Town. This entry-level position is ideal for a recent graduate or an early-career chemistry professional looking to gain comprehensive, hands-on exposure within an accredited industrial laboratory. The primary purpose of this role is to assist with essential laboratory services, ensuring that quality control and production analyses align strictly with operational procedures, product specifications, and production targets. Beyond traditional laboratory bench work, this position offers an immersive, cross-functional environment where you will participate in chemical safety, process recovered refrigerant gases through reclamation systems, and support production teams during peak operational periods. Key Responsibilities Environmental Services & Gas Reclamation Conduct precise quality checks and chemical analysis on all incoming raw products and materials, ensuring all regulatory paperwork and verification sheets are fully executed and signed off. Perform necessary chemical and physical analyses to verify that outgoing shipments meet exact customer requirements and site dispatch schedules. Process recovered gases through the reclamation systems, ensuring compliance with ARI700 grade specifications prior to transferring products into bulk storage tanks, and managing the quarantine of non-conforming materials. Support the recovery and production teams actively to ensure the site hits its volume targets, acting as a versatile operational backup when required. Analytical Quality & Product Blending Utilise Gas Chromatography (GC) and wet chemistry techniques to evaluate recovered gases, incoming stock, trial blends, and customer samples to guarantee quality assurance. Document and report findings accurately to investigate product non-conformances and support ad-hoc internal quality audits. Laboratory Housekeeping & Instrument Maintenance Carry out routine instrument maintenance, calibration checks, and method development activities to ensure laboratory equipment remains certified and fully operational. Handle high-value testing instruments with appropriate care to minimise damage and operational downtime. Maintain the laboratory environment to exceptional safety, tidiness, and organisational standards utilising 5S principles. Quality Standards & General Administration Assist the team with upholding international standards, specifically preparing documentation and operational workflows to support ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. Act as a technical signatory for accredited laboratory results where required. Manage laboratory consumable inventory levels proactively to eliminate stock-outs. Maintain up-to-date chemical files, safety data records, and administrative logging. Requirements Education: A completed Degree or National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry. Experience: 0–1 years of experience in laboratory analysis. High priority is placed on strong practical, hands-on exposure gained during tertiary studies or industry internships. A valid South African driver’s license Prior experience or direct exposure to an accredited industrial, production, or customer-facing laboratory environment. Direct, practical familiarity with Gas Chromatography (GC) and wet chemistry techniques. Willingness to be trained on forklift operations and cylinder-filling production machinery. Physical Capability: The role is fundamentally active and involves physical, manual labor. Candidates must be comfortable handling heavy gas cylinders and chemical drums, as well as accessing industrial site areas to collect samples and recover gases. Benefits Comprehensive on-the-job training, including certified forklift operation and specialised gas production handling. Broad exposure to operational chemistry, quality management systems, and ISO accreditation processes. Highly collaborative, "all hands on deck" small-team culture with direct mentorship from senior quality managers. Being part of an innovative culture to help identify and deliver new product and service solutions