About Murphy

Murphy is a global leader in specialist engineering and construction, founded in 1951 to deliver world-class infrastructure that improves lives. Operating across Ireland, the UK, and North America, we offer expertly engineered solutions in sectors including Transportation, Water, Power, Natural Resources, and Construction & Property. With a team of 4,000 engineers, skilled operatives, and professional managers worldwide, we embody our values as ‘One Murphy,’ directly delivering the people, equipment, and expertise needed to ensure project success.

Murphy Water is the Water & Wastewater process engineering division which delivers municipal water treatment solutions for Water Authorities in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The Project

Laboratory Technician within the Head Office Laboratory Department, Cookstown Court, potential to have experience across various sites throughout Ireland and potential opportunities that may arise in the U.K.

The Role

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 including wastewater, plant influent, process streams, final effluent, and drinking water.
• Conduct laboratory tests such as TSS, BOD, COD, NH₃-N, pH, Total Phosphorus, and other relevant parameters critical to plant performance and regulatory compliance.
• Undertake analysis of activated sludge and sludge digestion units to support process optimisation and troubleshoot treatment inefficiencies.
• 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

Benefits

Murphy Ireland pride themselves in creating opportunities to work with a great team on some of Irelands largest and most exciting construction projects.

Along with great opportunities/career progression, Murphy Ireland also offer:

• Competitive Rates and benefits
• Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review
• Above market rate contributory pension scheme available from day one
• 27 days annual leave per annum.
• Generous Private Healthcare Allowance
• Opportunities for growth within the company
• Dedicated and continued investment in your professional development.
• Other Murphy benefits include retail discounts, cycle to work scheme etc.

Hours associated with role:

09:00-17:30

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

If you have any queries, please email HR@murphygroup.ie.