Lab Associate Jobs in Houma, LA (NOW HIRING)

Your Job
We are seeking a safety-focused, detail-oriented Chemist / Laboratory Technician to join the Koch Methanol plant laboratory team. The role performs field sampling, routine wet chemistry and instrumental analysis, safe handling of hazardous materials, and laboratory data analysis to support plant process control and product quality.
This position is performed in a laboratory environment in a rotating 12-hour, 5-5-4 shift schedule
We are targeting a start date in September 2026, with flexibility based on candidate and business needs
Our Team
Koch Methanol, part of Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, operates a world-class methanol production facility in St. James, Louisiana. Our team is focused on reliability, safety, and continuous improvement to produce methanol in the most efficient and responsible way.
What You Will Do

• Perform laboratory and field sampling and analyses using established wet chemistry and instrumental methods (e.g., titration, pH, spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, gas chromatography, ICP).
• Prepare chemical solutions, standards, and dilutions; maintain accurate laboratory records and data systems.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment; document calibration and maintenance activities.
• Follow all site safety, environmental, and laboratory procedures; safely handle hazardous chemicals in accordance with SDS and PPE requirements.
• Support quality control activities including QC checks, control charts, investigation of out-of-spec results, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering to support troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coverage during plant events such as shutdowns and startups, as needed.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Associate degree in Chemistry or a related field OR 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience performing laboratory analyses using wet chemistry and/or instrumental techniques. ( titration, spectrophotometry, etc)
• Must be able to work shifts as required, and to respond to plant events beyond normal hours when necessary.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field with 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in a plant setting.
• Experience with advanced analytical techniques (e.g., Karl Fischer, GC, IC, ICP, TOC).
• Experience with quality systems, including QC/QA processes, basic statistics, and data trending.
• Experience using LIMS and strong Excel skills for data analysis.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
As a Koch Ag & Energy Solutions company, Koch Methanol produces and supplies the methanol that has become an essential part of our daily lives - and is a key ingredient in products like clothing, cosmetics, paints, plywood and adhesives - in addition to fueling ships, buses, trucks, fuel cells and cooking stoves. Our goal is to be the preferred supplier of methanol to our customers who depend on us for our reliability and quality of service.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).