An experienced scientist to plan, execute, analyse and report R&D activities across a growing portfolio of advanced materials projects — taking ownership of complex workstreams, converting data into actionable conclusions and helping establish a high-performing, scalable R&D culture.

• Execute R&D projects from experimental design through to analysis, reporting and recommendation of next steps.
• Document structured experimental plans with clear objectives, hypotheses, controls, milestones, success criteria and decision points.
• Identify technical risks, knowledge gaps, bottlenecks and dependencies early, and propose practical solutions to maintain project momentum.
• Rigorously record, analyse and interpret experimental, analytical and characterisation data, presenting evidence-based conclusions and recommended actions.
• Apply appropriate chemical synthesis, wet chemistry and materials processing techniques, including optimisation and scale-up where relevant.
• Produce clear, concise technical reports, summaries, presentations and internal documentation for management, collaborators and customers.
• Work independently with a high degree of ownership while remaining aligned with company technical strategies, timelines and resource constraints.
• Support the development of other R&D staff by strengthening experimental planning, scientific reasoning and day-to-day execution.
• Contribute to the generation, documentation and protection of intellectual property, maintaining appropriate confidentiality of technical work.
• Maintain excellent laboratory practice — safe working, proportionate risk-based handling of chemicals, accurate record keeping and compliance with company procedures.

PhD or equivalent in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Strong hands-on R&D experience in materials, chemicals, synthesis and characterisation.
Demonstrated ability to independently plan and report experimental programmes.
Proven experience interpreting complex datasets and characterisation results, with strong analytical judgement and attention to data quality.
Familiarity with relevant analytical methods (e.g. XRD, SEM, FTIR, TGA or similar).
Strong technical writing, communication and presentation skills.
Evidence of independent problem solving and the ability to progress technical work despite incomplete information.
Demonstrable understanding of laboratory safety and confident, proportionate handling of hazardous chemicals.
Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams, including R&D, commercial, production and logistics.
Experience scaling materials processes from laboratory to pilot or early commercial stage.
Experience in an industrial R&D, start-up or technology commercialisation environment.
Experience supervising or guiding researchers or technicians.
Experience contributing to technical proposals, project plans or customer-facing technical documents.
Familiarity with balancing multiple concurrent R&D projects and competing priorities.
Exposure to intellectual property processes (e.g. patents, confidentiality management).
Salary: Competitive.
Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours / week).
Work base: Dragonfly, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 6PQ.
Pension: Contributory scheme — 6% employer, minimum 4% employee, with optional salary-sacrifice top-ups.
Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays.
Location requirement: Candidates must be based in the UK, with the right to work in the UK.