Research And Development Chemist in Leeds

A pioneering deeptech company is redefining how the world stores data. In an era where traditional cloud infrastructure is energy-intensive, short-lived, and increasingly unsustainable, our client is building a radically different solution. Their breakthrough holographic storage technology encodes data as light within advanced materials, offering long-term durability and dramatically improved efficiency.

Following significant momentum, including participation in leading accelerators, multiple Innovate UK grants, and a successful funding round, the company has now deployed its prototype into a live datacentre environment. As they move closer to commercialisation, they are looking to appoint a Material Chemist to play a critical role in advancing the materials that power this technology. This is not a traditional chemistry role. It sits at the intersection of materials science, photochemistry, and cutting-edge data storage innovation.

The successful candidate will take ownership of developing photopolymer materials that directly impact the performance, durability, and scalability of the company’s platform. Working as part of a highly multidisciplinary R&D team, this individual will collaborate closely with optical engineers and other specialists to translate chemical formulations into real-world holographic performance. The work is hands-on, experimental, and deeply technical, with a clear line of sight between lab work and product impact.

The responsibilities in this role are both broad and technically challenging, offering the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to a breakthrough technology. At the core of the position is the design and optimisation of photopolymer formulations. This includes developing new materials that improve recording sensitivity, efficiency, and long-term stability. The chemist will be responsible for synthesising monomers, oligomers, and polymers in-house, followed by purification and detailed characterisation to ensure performance meets the required standards.

A significant portion of the role involves preparing and testing thin-film coatings. These coatings must demonstrate strong optical performance and durability, requiring careful experimentation and iteration. The chemist will evaluate how these materials behave under real recording conditions, working alongside optical engineers to assess holographic data capture and retrieval performance.

Analytical work is a key pillar of the role. The successful candidate will utilise a range of techniques including FTIR, NMR, GPC, DSC, TGA, and rheology to understand material properties in depth. This data-driven approach will guide formulation improvements and enable consistent, repeatable results.

Beyond experimentation, the role requires strong documentation and communication skills. The chemist will be expected to record experimental procedures, analyse results, and present findings clearly to the wider R&D team. This ensures knowledge is shared effectively and progress is aligned across disciplines.

The company is looking for someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving complex problems methodically, and working in an environment where curiosity and innovation are highly valued. There is significant autonomy in the role, balanced with collaboration across a highly skilled technical team.

This opportunity would suit a chemist with a strong foundation in polymer chemistry, particularly in free-radical or photoinitiated polymerisation, and hands-on experience in synthesis and materials development. A background in coatings or optical materials would be advantageous, though not essential.

In return, the company offers a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, pension contributions, and a collaborative environment focused on solving globally relevant challenges. If you are interested in applying your chemistry expertise to a genuinely novel technology with real-world impact, this is a rare opportunity to be part of something transformative. Applications are now open, and candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every requirement.