Laboratory Technician

Murphy Water are hiring a Laboratory Technician to support the Laboratory and Operations Department in the
commissioning, monitoring, and maintenance of water and wastewater projects across the country. This is an
exciting opportunity to join an established contractor and contribute to the operational performance of essential
infrastructure.

The successful candidate will join the Murphy Water engineering business within the Laboratory Department,
reporting to the Process Compliance Manager

The role involves supporting the operations team through sampling, analysis, and data reporting for water and wastewater treatment processes. Responsibilities include assisting in ensuring compliance with regulatory and performance standards and contributing to the development and implementation of effective operation and maintenance strategies.The position also involves supporting water process optimisation and applying problem- solving expertise across the business unit. This includes facilitation and coordination with managers, team leaders, operations technicians, and site personnel to optimise process performance, as well as interfacing with relevant stakeholders and clients.

Murphy is committed to recruiting and retaining talented individuals to support the company's growth and long- term success in the industry. We actively invest in our staff through continuous professional development, and our CPD Programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland.

Role Duties

• Perform routine and specialised chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses on samples from water and wastewater treatment processes, including raw water, treated water, plant influent, process streams, final effluent, sludge, and environmental monitoring programmes.
• Conduct laboratory testing of key water and wastewater quality parameters including colour, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, pH, chlorine residual, ammonia, nitrate, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, COD, BOD, TSS, and other process-critical parameters required for operational performance and regulatory compliance.
• Support the monitoring, optimisation, and troubleshooting of water and wastewater treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, filtration, disinfection, biological treatment, sludge treatment, and nutrient removal systems.
• Undertake laboratory analysis to support process performance assessments, operational investigations, commissioning activities, and compliance monitoring across water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Ensure all analytical results are accurately recorded, interpreted, and validated in line with quality control protocols.
• Perform data trending, statistical review, and validation of test results to identify anomalies, inform operational decisions, and ensure data integrity.
• Prepare, maintain, and verify calibration records for laboratory equipment (daily, monthly, and as required), ensuring instruments are performing within acceptable ranges.
• Assist in the development, review, and validation of laboratory methods in compliance with relevant standards and best practices.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and organisation, including the washing, sterilising, and upkeep of analytical equipment and glassware.
• Manage laboratory supplies, including ordering reagents and consumables, maintaining an updated chemical inventory list, and ensuring availability of updated MSDS documentation.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with company health and safety policies, environmental standards, and statutory regulations.
• Adhere to all internal policies and procedures related to quality assurance, ethical conduct, and health, safety, environmental, sustainability and quality (SHESQ) protocols.
• Collaborate with operations teams by providing timely and actionable data to support plant optimisation, compliance reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and contribute to internal and external audits, inspections, and reporting obligations.
• Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented working environment.
• Demonstrate flexibility by supporting laboratory and field sampling work across various sites in Ireland.
• Be a punctual, motivated, and organised self-starter who is enthusiastic and conscientious about completing work on time and to a high standard.

Qualifications & Skills

• Diploma / degree qualification is desirable (preferred but non-essential)
• Knowledge of laboratory work is desirable. All training will be received on the job.
• Experience within the Water / Wastewater industry a distinct advantage
• Motivated, self-starter with excellent communications skill
• Ability to collaborate with multiple disciplines (civil, electrical, process, etc.) and provide technical and commercial guidance in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of resolving technical issues and managing project changes.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Proficiency with data analysis software is advantageous
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with clients, subcontractors, and team members.
• Ability to engage with clients and stakeholders effectively, ensuring their needs are met throughout the project lifecycle.
• Full, clean driving licence

What you will get in return

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays with the option to buy an additional 2 days holiday each year, holidays increase with length of service
• Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review
• Above market rate contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance, health screening and enhanced sick pay
• Generous Private Healthcare Allowance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and a maternity returners bonus
• Extra 2 days holiday for all employees getting married and a wedding bonus
• Dedicated and continued investment in your professional development
• Other Murphy benefits include retail discounts, discounted gym memberships, cycle to work scheme etc

About Murphy

Murphy is formally recognised as a sector leading employer, Platinum Investors In People accredited. At Murphy, we are incredibly proud of our diverse workforce. Not only do our people represent over 60 different nationalities, but they also represent a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages.

Murphy is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in Ireland.