Research Technician

JOB TITLE: Research Technician, Tidal Clear Water Science 

REPORTS TO:  Technical Director

STATUS:  Full Time, non-exempt

COMPENSATION: $33-35/hr depending on experience and interview outcomes 

LOCATION:  Bellingham, WA 

BENEFITS: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, optional FSA/HSA, 401k with 6% employer match, life and AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program, short & long term disability, tuition reimbursement, 21.67 days of paid time off + 10 holidays 

About Tidal Vision:

We believe that sustainability should not require customers to compromise on price, convenience, or performance. Our mission is to create positive and systemic environmental impact by making our biopolymer solutions cost competitive, more convenient, and better performing than the synthetic chemicals we displace. We value innovation and take pride in challenging the status-quo; we choose to view obstacles as opportunities. We value new ideas and encourage the team to apply creativity and invent new solutions to meet challenging demands. We foster open, direct communication, and a collaborative working environment through our unique approach to work culture. We value our employees and demonstrate that through our compensation and benefits programs and opportunities for growth and development.

About Tidal Vision’s Unique Work Culture:

Tidal Vision strives to build and invest in the highest performing and most innovative team. We put our people and customers above process, avoid company-wide rules as much as possible, and have the courage to take unusual approaches to advance our mission. With this approach, we believe we can create a more flexible, fun, stimulating, creative, collaborative, and innovative organization.

Our commitment to developing, practicing and promoting direct and open communication, responsibility and freedom, and leading with and seeking context is a responsibility for every role at Tidal Vision.

Job Summary: 

Tidal Clear Water Science is a water treatment company operating as a focused chitosan-based research and development center. We are looking for a Research Technician to execute experiments that further our understanding of chitosan chemistry and support product development, from early proof of concept through the samples that reach customers in the field. Most of the role will be spent in the lab, carrying out experiments and collecting data. We want someone with strong technique who takes real ownership of the quality of their data.

Why This Role Matters

Every product we sell rests on data generated in our lab. The experiments run in this role determine which formulations move forward, what we can claim for performance and shelf life, and which product a customer gets for their water. We are displacing metal and synthetic coagulants with a biopolymer, and that case is only as strong as the data supporting it.

Essential Job Functions:

• Experimentation and Data Collection
  • Run lab-scale experiments across our project portfolio, following established protocols and test methods
  • Perform bench tests including jar testing, turbidity, pH, conductivity, zeta potential, viscosity, and settling and filtration evaluations
  • Characterize customer and field water samples, running the analyses that inform treatment recommendations
  • Run stability studies on commercial and prototype formulations to establish product shelf life
  • Prepare reagents, standards, dilutions, and test waters to specification
  • Record data completely at the time of measurement, including units, conditions, and observations
• Sample Blending and Kit Fulfillment
  • Blend commercial and prototype formulations to specification, documenting actual quantities against the batch record
  • Label, package, and document samples, including lot and batch identification
  • Assemble and ship sample kits with correct hazard labeling
  • Track inventory of kit components and finished samples, flagging replenishment needs early
• Instrument Care, Safety, and Lab Operations
  • Calibrate and maintain lab instruments and balances on schedule, keeping clear records
  • Troubleshoot basic instrument issues and escalate those affecting data quality
  • Review SDS before handling new materials and follow chemical hygiene and PPE practices
  • Manage chemical storage, segregation, and waste disposal per company procedure and regulation
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Work with our R&D and Product Development chemists across several concurrent projects
  • Summarize results promptly so the team can act on them
  • Suggest improvements to test methods and lab organization based on what you observe day to day

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or related field
• 2+ years of laboratory, QC, or technical production experience following your degree
• Ability to follow written protocols precisely and produce consistent, repeatable results
• Attention to detail and disciplined data recording
• Proficiency with Excel for data entry, organization, and basic charting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or related field
• Experience in a water treatment, wastewater, or environmental testing laboratory
• Familiarity with jar testing, coagulation and flocculation, or polymer chemistry
• Experience blending, batching, or compounding liquid formulations

Pre-Employment Requirements: 

• The incumbent is subject to a background check. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Most of the work is performed in a lab setting. Incumbents must be able to follow all safety standards, especially while handling chemicals, and be able to stand, bend, sit, or walk for long periods of time, as well as be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Tidal Vision provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.