Applications Scientist in Daresbury

Croda is a FTSE100 organisation driven around our purpose of Smart Science to Improve Lives™. With over 6,000 employees across 39 countries, we are focused on the research and development of novel and highly sustainable raw materials for the Life Sciences and Consumer Care sectors. We are passionate and excited about how we can develop and utilise new technologies to shape and inspire changes within an ever-growing marketplace.

As our business looks to deliver its ambitious strategy of growth, we are looking for an Applications Scientist to join our team at Daresbury to support the characterisation and development of new ingredients and data analysis that demonstrate the value of the company’s ingredient technologies in personal care, home care, and broader consumer care markets. This hands‑on laboratory role focuses on formulation development, testing, data generation, and providing technical support to internal teams and external customers.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Previous laboratory experience essential, experience with common equipment and measurement techniques (e.g. spectroscopy, rheology & microscopy) and automation equipment an advantage.
• Experience in personal care, home care, surfactants, polymers, or consumer product formulation preferred.
• Internship or industrial experience in consumer products or specialty chemicals is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, surfactant chemistry, emulsions, rheology, and ingredient functionality.
• Ability to design experiments, run standard & non-standard performance tests and interpret complex data.
• Good data interpretation skills and knowledge of statistics an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent documentation habits.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Proactive, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced R&D environment.
• Enthusiasm for learning new technologies and scientific curiosity is essential.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Be part of a team that values diversity, sustainability, and continuous innovation, where your ideas and contributions matter.
• The role will primarily involve investigation and characterisation of new (and existing) ingredients as surfactants, emulsifiers or rheology modifiers to contribute to Croda’s extensive product portfolio.
• Developing these ingredients into simple and complex formulation chassis for our consumer care sector.
• Laboratory testing and data analysis using simple and complex lab equipment including automated platforms and high-throughput equipment for ingredient and product performance evaluation.
• Contribute technical content to both internal and external stakeholders and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to support innovation projects and product launches.
• Stay informed on emerging ingredient technology and test methods and consumer care market needs and how to recreate that in lab by developing new test methods.

What We Offer:

• Join a global organisation with countless opportunities for growth and leadership.
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• 25 days paid holiday allowance (plus bank holidays).
• Private medical insurance.
• Access to share plans.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Car leasing scheme.
• Generous parental leave.
• Free car parking on Croda sites.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email candidate@croda.com. Croda recognises employees as our strength and the diversity they bring to our workforce are directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company.