Head of Natural Product Development in Northampton

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.