Paper technologist Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a paper technologists you would design and test equipment and processes used in the manufacture of paper, tissue and corrugated board. Your job would involve working with raw materials such as recycled paper, wood pulp or plant-based fibres and turning them into a variety of products ranging from high-quality art paper to cartons and newspapers.

As a paper technologist, your duties would include:

• coordinating trials of new products
• investigating the best way to combine raw materials, chemicals and additives for a particular product
• measuring how different factors affect the manufacturing process, such as liquid temperatures and pressures
• analysing and interpreting laboratory and trial production test results
• writing technical reports for managers and clients
• monitoring quality control to make sure products meet customer requirements, such as correct colour and finish
• checking that finished products meet industry safety standards.

You would work closely with production managers and often supervise the work of other laboratory staff.

Hours

You would work shifts covering 40 hours a week, which may include nights and weekends. In a senior role, you could work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although you may still be on-call to attend to any out-of-hours problems.

Your working day would be split between the office, laboratory and production areas of the mill. Conditions in some parts of the mill may be hot, humid and noisy. You would be expected to wear protective clothing in the laboratory and on the factory floor.

Income

• Starting salaries can be between £17,000 and £20,000 a year.
• With experience, this can rise to more than £25,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To get into this career you would need a BTEC HNC/HND in Applied Science (Chemistry), or a degree in related subjects such as chemistry, science or engineering.

If you are already working in paper manufacturing and have a relevant work-based qualification at level three, such as an NVQ, you may be able to combine further work-based training with part-time study towards a higher qualification like a HND or degree.

You may have an advantage finding work if you have some experience of manufacturing or laboratory work.

See the Confederation of Paper Industries website for more details about this career, and for the contacts of some of the major paper employers in the UK.

Training and development

Your employer would normally provide in-house training once you start working as a technologist. Your training could include work experience in the different departments of the mill.

With experience and the right qualifications, you may be able to study to postgraduate level in courses such as paper science or packaging technology.

Skills and knowledge

• a keen interest in science and technology
• the ability to work with staff at all levels
• good communication and presentation skills
• good IT skills
• the ability to analyse and interpret test results
• good problem-solving skills
• a willingness to keep up to date with new developments.

More information

Proskills UK
www.proskills.co.uk

Confederation of Paper Industries
1 Rivenhall Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN5 7BD
www.paper.org.uk

Opportunities

You could find work with paper mills and companies that supply chemicals and machinery to the mills. You could also look for research posts in universities with links to the industry, and with overseas companies. Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, through Jobcentre Plus offices and on the Directgov website (Jobseekers page).

• Directgov (Jobseekers page)

Around two thirds of jobs advertised are on the manufacturing side, but there are also opportunities to move into production management and business administration with the right experience and skills. You may improve your prospects if you are willing to take on responsibility for project management or specialist research.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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