Senior Formulation Scientist in Ellesmere Port

We’re looking for an experienced formulation scientist to join our Agrochemicals team, driving the development and commercialisation of advanced formulation additives. In this role, you’ll work as part of a highly skilled global team, solving complex formulation challenges, supporting customer needs, and contributing to long-term technology and product strategy. You’ll bring deep hands-on expertise across a wide range of formulation types and play a key role in shaping next-generation solutions for the crop protection market. The position is based in the UK at our Ellesmere Port site and will require some domestic and international travel (typically 10–20%).

Responsibilities

• Advanced Formulation Development
  • Lead the development of commercially viable formulation additives that meet performance, cost, manufacturing and regulatory requirements.
  • Apply expert knowledge across EC, SC, SE, EW, ME, SL, OD, CS, WG, WP and other liquid and dry formulation systems.
  • Act as a technical reference point for complex challenges including long‑term stability, multi‑active systems, raw material substitution and regulatory‑driven reformulation.
  • Design and interpret advanced laboratory, application and performance testing programmes (CIPAC + internal methods).
• Innovation & Industry Insight
  • Maintain strong awareness of industry trends, competitor technologies, patents and scientific literature.
  • Monitor regulatory developments and assess implications for additive design, raw materials and product portfolios.
  • Contribute technical insight to longer‑term technology and product development strategies.
• Laboratory Work
  • Perform advanced formulation work and application testing with a high degree of independence.
  • Generate, analyse and interpret analytical and performance data for existing and new products.
  • Produce R&D samples and ensure accurate documentation of experimental work.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports and communicate results clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Support commercialisation through performance blends, formulation examples and technical documentation.
  • Collaborate with production and supply chain teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and quality issues.
• Customer Interaction
  • Provide technical input to customer and distributor activities, including data interpretation and formulation recommendations.
  • Support customer trials, issue resolution and technical discussions through sample preparation, data packages or remote interaction.
  • Participate in occasional customer visits or external engagements aligned with specific technical objectives.

Key Requirements

• PhD or MSc in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Agronomy, Plant Physiology or a related field.
• 8–10+ years’ hands-on experience in agrochemical formulation, with deep expertise in formulation additives and surfactant systems.
• Strong understanding of how formulation components influence stability, wetting, penetration, dispersion and application performance.
• Proven ability to independently solve complex formulation challenges and provide authoritative technical recommendations.
• Solid working knowledge of CIPAC methods, formulation equipment and industry-standard characterisation techniques.
• Experience with biologicals, seed treatments, adjuvants, fertilizers or micronutrient formulations (desirable).
• Awareness of regulatory-driven formulation change and next-generation, sustainable formulation strategies.
• Ability to mentor junior scientists through technical guidance and example.