At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct materials testing and support regulatory compliance in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Innovative organisation leading in bio-polymeric and sustainable materials development.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, work with cutting-edge technology, and contribute to sustainability.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a forward-thinking organisation.
- Why this job: Join a science-led team making a real impact in advanced materials and regulatory frameworks.
- Qualifications: Strong background in polymer science and experience with testing methods.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our client is an innovative and technically driven organisation operating at the forefront of bio-polymeric and sustainable materials development. With a strong focus on advanced polymer science, regulatory compliance, and quality excellence, they support a growing customer base across food-contact and performance-critical applications. As part of continued growth, they are seeking a Scientific Officer to support research, quality, and regulatory activities. This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative, science-led environment where technical expertise, curiosity, and continuous improvement are actively encouraged.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct routine and project-based materials testing, including Melt Flow Index (MFI), disintegration and degradation testing, and food-contact compliance testing.
- Analyse, interpret, and report test data clearly through technical and scientific documentation.
- Carry out and interpret physical and mechanical testing such as tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, density, and thermal performance testing (e.g. HDT, Vicat).
- Assess dimensional and thermal stability of materials.
- Evaluate structure-property relationships and link material performance to formulation and processing conditions.
- Support benchmarking, qualification, troubleshooting, and failure analysis activities.
- Manage and maintain ISO registration (e.g. ISO 9001 and other relevant standards).
- Ensure laboratory and operational activities are compliant with ISO and internal quality requirements.
- Prepare for and coordinate internal and external audits.
- Maintain SOPs, quality documentation, CAPA records, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support risk assessments and quality system development.
- Provide technical support to polymer compounding and processing activities, including formulation development and optimisation.
- Offer input on material performance, processing behaviour, and scale-up considerations.
- Work closely with R&D, production, and quality teams to support development and commercialisation activities.
- Support regulatory compliance for bio-polymeric materials, particularly food-contact legislation and biodegradation/disintegration standards.
- Assist with preparation of technical dossiers, regulatory submissions, and customer-facing documentation.
- Support the use of AI and data-driven tools in polymer development and materials optimisation.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and contribute to digital data management and traceability systems.
Candidate Profile
- Strong technical background in polymer science and polymeric material behaviour.
- Hands-on experience with physical, mechanical, and thermal testing of polymers.
- Familiarity with MFI, degradation, disintegration, and food-contact testing methods.
- Experience managing or supporting ISO quality management systems and audits.
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to bio-polymeric and food-contact materials.
- Knowledge of polymer compounding and processing is advantageous.
- Analytical, detail-oriented, and highly organised with strong documentation skills.
- Comfortable working collaboratively across scientific, quality, and operational teams.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation working at the forefront of bio-polymeric materials and sustainable technologies. The role offers exposure to advanced materials development, quality and regulatory frameworks, and the chance to make a meaningful technical contribution within a collaborative, science-led team.
Scientific Officer - Regulatory & Testing employer: Merritt Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Merritt Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientific Officer - Regulatory & Testing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the bio-polymeric and materials science fields on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can confidently discuss polymer testing methods and regulatory compliance. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or even in front of the mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for continuous improvement! During interviews, share examples of how you've contributed to quality initiatives or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you’re not just technically skilled but also committed to making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company. So, get your application in and let’s make some waves in the world of sustainable materials together!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientific Officer - Regulatory & Testing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Scientific Officer role. Highlight your technical background in polymer science and any hands-on experience with testing methods mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your passion for bio-polymeric materials and how your curiosity aligns with our innovative environment. Don’t forget to mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise in regulatory compliance and quality excellence.
Showcase Your Documentation Skills: Since strong documentation skills are key for this role, provide examples of how you've effectively analysed and reported test data in the past. This will show us you can handle the technical and scientific documentation we rely on.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our collaborative, science-led team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merritt Recruitment
✨Know Your Polymers
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of polymer science and the specific testing methods mentioned in the job description, like Melt Flow Index and degradation testing. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but also understand practical applications.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've analysed and interpreted test data in previous roles. Bring examples of technical documentation you've created, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to communicate complex information clearly.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the regulatory compliance aspects related to bio-polymeric materials, especially food-contact legislation. Being able to speak about your experience with ISO standards and quality management systems will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Collaborative Mindset
This role emphasises teamwork across R&D, production, and quality teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, highlighting your ability to work in a science-led environment and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.