At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the sensing science and R&D direction of innovative sensing technologies.
- Company: Join a fast-growing tech company revolutionising odour intelligence and sensing systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with significant influence over technical direction and future growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in diverse applications from pest control to public health.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in sensing technologies and experience in scientific R&D leadership.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
An innovative technology company developing next-generation odour intelligence and sensing systems is looking for a VP / Director of Sensing Science to lead and shape its sensing and scientific R&D capability. This is a rare opportunity to join a rapidly growing, venture-backed business that combines advanced sensor technology, AI/ML, data science and chemical sensing to build products capable of detecting and interpreting biological and environmental signals in ways not previously possible. The company has recently completed an oversubscribed seed funding round and already has commercial products in the market, alongside an expanding pipeline across pest control, agriculture, animal health and future public health applications.
The company develops intelligent sensing platforms that analyse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odours using combinations of:
- Gas and chemical sensors
- Sensor fusion
- Embedded systems and IoT hardware
- Machine learning and AI classification
- Data science and large-scale data platforms
Their technology is already being used commercially and the business is now scaling both its R&D capability and product development pipeline. Projects range from smart pest monitoring systems through to animal health diagnostics and emerging human health applications.
This role will sit at the centre of the company's scientific and sensing strategy. You will lead the sensing science and R&D direction of the business, bringing greater scientific rigour, technical leadership and coordination across sensing, experimentation, hardware integration and data science. You'll work closely with engineering, firmware, software and data science teams to guide how sensors are selected, tested, integrated and optimised within real-world products. This is a highly technical leadership role rather than a pure management position.
The company is specifically looking for someone with deep sensor expertise who can bridge the gap between:
- Sensor technologies
- Experimental design
- Product development
- Data interpretation
- Machine learning outputs
- Hardware integration
You'll help shape how sensing technologies are deployed across a broad range of applications and products.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the company's sensing science and R&D function
- Managing and mentoring multidisciplinary scientific teams
- Defining experimental design and testing methodologies
- Guiding sensor selection for new product applications
- Evaluating sensor performance, limitations and deployment suitability
- Working closely with hardware and engineering teams on sensor integration
- Collaborating with data scientists to interpret sensor outputs and improve ML models
- Helping turn early-stage concepts into scalable commercial products
- Supporting the development of the company's growing sensing and AI platform
- Influencing future hiring and technical direction within the business
The role will also involve working with external partners and customers on 'discovery' projects, where the company develops bespoke sensing solutions for new commercial applications. Examples of projects include:
- Pest detection and monitoring
- Agricultural sensing
- Companion animal diagnostics
- Environmental monitoring
- Public health and disease detection
- Odour and VOC analysis
What They're Looking For
The ideal candidate will combine strong scientific credibility with practical product development experience. You do not need to be an expert in every area, but you must have deep expertise in sensing technologies and understand how sensor data is used in real-world systems. Likely background areas include:
- Sensor technologies
- Gas sensing
- Chemical sensing
- VOC sensing
- Embedded sensing systems
- Sensor fusion
- Analytical chemistry
- Chemical ecology
- Machine learning for sensor systems
- Scientific R&D leadership
Experience they are particularly interested in includes:
- Managing scientific or technical R&D teams
- Working with multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Productising sensing technologies
- Translating research into commercial products
- Working with data science / ML teams
- Designing experiments and interpreting scientific data
Sensor technologies of interest include:
- Metal oxide gas sensors
- MEMS sensors
- Electrochemical sensors
- PID sensors
- FBAR sensors
The company understands this is an extremely niche hire, so they are open to candidates from academia, research organisations or commercial environments - provided you can combine scientific depth with practical, hands-on product thinking. Curiosity, adaptability and the ability to learn quickly are considered just as important as ticking every technical box.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to shape a genuinely unique sensing technology platform
- Work on cutting-edge AI and sensor-driven products
- Join a business already generating commercial revenue
- Significant influence over technical direction and future growth
- Diverse applications across multiple industries
- Fast-growing, well-funded technology environment
- Chance to work on technology with major long-term public health potential
VP / Director of Sensing Science in Essex employer: KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD
Join a pioneering technology company in Dagenham, Essex, where you will lead the charge in developing next-generation sensing systems that have real-world applications across various industries. With a strong focus on innovation, employee growth, and a collaborative work culture, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape cutting-edge AI and sensor-driven products while working alongside multidisciplinary teams. Enjoy a competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-growing, venture-backed environment dedicated to advancing public health solutions.
Contact Details:
KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP / Director of Sensing Science in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past projects and successes in sensing science. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating how your skills align with the company's needs in sensor technology and R&D.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission. Tailor your application to highlight your unique qualifications and how you can contribute to our innovative sensing solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace VP / Director of Sensing Science in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sensing Science:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sensing science shine through! We want to see how your background and experiences align with our innovative projects. Make it personal and relatable!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic CV! We’re looking for candidates who can bridge the gap between sensor technologies and product development. Highlight relevant experiences that showcase your expertise in these areas.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! When detailing your experiences and skills, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD
✨Know Your Sensors
Make sure you brush up on the latest in sensor technologies, especially those mentioned in the job description like gas sensing and MEMS sensors. Be ready to discuss how these technologies can be applied in real-world scenarios, as this will show your deep expertise and understanding of the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing multidisciplinary teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully led scientific or technical teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and guiding teams through complex projects, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead the sensing science and R&D function.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into experimental design and data interpretation during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of designing experiments and evaluating sensor performance. Being able to articulate your thought process and methodologies will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Connect with Their Vision
Research the company’s current projects and future goals, especially in pest control and public health applications. Be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to shaping their sensing technology platform. Showing genuine interest in their work will make a positive impression.
