At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative R&D projects in natural products and sustainable cosmetics.
- Company: Join Keracol, a pioneering spin-out from The University of Leeds focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, shares scheme, and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art lab with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the beauty industry with cutting-edge natural products.
- Qualifications: PhD in Chemistry and experience in industrial R&D required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Keracol is looking to recruit an enthusiastic, detail-oriented, natural product chemist to join us as Head of Natural Product Development. The Head of Natural Product Development will lead technical development activities across natural product innovation, analytical method development, and product scale-up. The role combines hands-on scientific leadership with client-facing project management and strategic input into business growth activities, including grant applications and external partnerships. This is a senior technical position with substantial autonomy, responsible for driving R&D programmes from concept through to scalable manufacturing outcomes. This is a permanent position with 3-months’ probation.
Our company, Keracol, is a spin-out company from The University of Leeds. Our core value is sustainability with performance. We combine high-end physical science with innovative applications to produce natural and sustainable hair dyes, colour cosmetics, hair care, skin care and sun care products. Our expertise spans organic chemistry, colour chemistry, polymer chemistry, extraction technology, effect assessment, coloration technology, and natural products chemistry. Keracol develops novel approaches to the extraction of active molecules from plant sources, and fractionating and purifying them for multiple applications, both existing and novel. We use renewable materials and waste materials as sources of extracts, and are able to produce extracts from raw materials that do not compete with land for food crops. Our extracts are formulated in consumer beauty products providing solutions to unmet needs, as there is a huge consumer demand for products containing natural and renewable ingredients.
Keracol is a growing business and as we expand, we will reward the loyalty of employees with excellent opportunities within the company. The position is offered with an attractive salary, a company shares scheme, and a comfortable work environment. Keracol’s laboratory and office are located in Nexus, a £40m state-of-the-art building located on The University of Leeds campus. Salary will be £45,000-50,000+ dependent on qualifications and experience. The role is only open to those with the right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship. Informal enquiries may be made to: Professor Richard Blackburn, CTO. Closing date 19th June 2026, but early applications are welcomed.
Job Specification — Head of Natural Product Development
Responsible to: Prof. Richard Blackburn, CTO, Keracol Ltd.
Key Responsibilities
- Research & Development
- Lead internal and client-funded R&D projects relating to natural products and sustainable cosmetics, hair care, and coloration technologies.
- Design, execute, and oversee experimental programmes across product and process development.
- Develop and optimise analytical methodologies to support characterisation, validation, and quality assessment.
- Interpret scientific data and translate findings into commercially relevant recommendations.
- Maintain awareness of developments in sustainable materials, cosmetic science, and natural product innovation.
- Product Development & Scale-Up
- Lead product scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot or manufacturing scale.
- Work closely with manufacturers and external production partners to troubleshoot technical challenges.
- Support formulation development in collaboration with the formulator within the team.
- Assess raw materials, sourcing options, and manufacturing feasibility.
- Laboratory & Technical Leadership
- Manage day-to-day operation of the laboratory environment.
- Provide technical leadership to a small R&D team.
- Establish and maintain experimental standards, documentation practices, and scientific rigour.
- Oversee maintenance and effective use of analytical instrumentation and laboratory systems.
- Client & Partner Engagement
- Act as a technical lead during discussions with clients, collaborators, suppliers, and commercial partners.
- Translate technical concepts into clear commercial and operational language for external stakeholders.
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project updates for internal and external audiences.
- Support project planning, timelines, and resource allocation.
- Funding & Strategic Support
- Contribute to grant applications, technical proposals, and fundraising activities.
- Provide scientific input into strategic business development opportunities.
- Support partnership development with academic, industrial, and commercial stakeholders.
Required Skills & Experience
- PhD in Chemistry or closely related discipline.
- Significant experience in industrial R&D, preferably within cosmetics, natural products, sustainable materials, hair dyes, colorants or adjacent sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in analytical method development and laboratory-based research.
- Experience supporting product scale-up and manufacturing transfer activities.
- Strong technical writing and reporting capability.
- Experience engaging directly with clients or external technical stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
Technical Skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using Chromeleon software.
- Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and laboratory data systems.
Desirable Experience
- Experience in sustainable cosmetic technologies or bio-based materials.
- Experience in dyeing and coloration technologies.
- Knowledge of regulatory considerations relevant to cosmetics or natural products.
- Experience with grant-funded research projects.
- Commercial awareness within innovation-driven environments.
- Experience working in small, fast-moving technical teams.
Working Arrangements
No routine travel required. Laboratory and office-based role with external stakeholder interaction as required.
Success Measures
- Delivery of R&D milestones on time and within scope.
- Successful scale-up and technical transfer outcomes.
- Quality and robustness of scientific outputs and reporting.
- Effective client and partner engagement.
- Contribution to funding success and strategic technical initiatives.
Head of Natural Product Development in Leeds employer: Keracol
Keracol is an exceptional employer that champions sustainability and innovation in the beauty industry, offering a dynamic work environment within the state-of-the-art Nexus facility on The University of Leeds campus. Employees benefit from a culture that prioritises professional growth, with opportunities for advancement and involvement in cutting-edge research projects, alongside competitive salaries and a company shares scheme. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to creating natural and sustainable products that meet the evolving needs of consumers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Natural Product Development in Leeds
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like Keracol. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
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✨Showcase Your Research & Projects
Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to Keracol, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Natural Product Development in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at Keracol. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Keracol
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to Keracol and the Head of Natural Product Development role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
