At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and optimise bio-based polymer formulations for sustainable materials.
- Company: Join PlantSea, an award-winning biotech company focused on innovative polymer technologies.
- Benefits: Be part of a high-growth team with opportunities for impactful work and career development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and scientific rigor.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainability by developing next-gen materials from seaweed.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc in relevant fields with experience in polymer formulation and product development.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
About PlantSea
PlantSea is an award-winning, venture-backed biotechnology company developing high-performance polymer technologies from seaweed to replace fossil-derived plastics. Our platform is being developed for applications including water soluble films, flexible packaging, recyclable paper laminates and other sustainable materials. Having established our core extraction technology, our focus is now on developing products that consistently meet demanding customer performance requirements and can be successfully manufactured at commercial scale. This is an exciting opportunity to join PlantSea at a pivotal stage of growth and make an immediate impact on the development of our next generation of sustainable materials.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Scientist or Senior Scientist with expertise in polymer formulation and product development who can make an immediate impact. This role is focused on translating scientific understanding into commercially relevant products by developing and optimising bio based polymer systems that meet defined technical and customer performance objectives. Working closely with the CTO and wider R&D team, you will design experimental programmes, solve formulation challenges and deliver robust technical recommendations that accelerate product development. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys applying science to solve real world product development challenges within a collaborative, high growth technology company.
Key Responsibilities
- Polymer Formulation & Product Development
- Develop and optimise bio based polymer formulations that deliver robust product performance and support commercial manufacturing.
- Investigate the relationship between formulation, processing and end use performance to develop products that meet customer and manufacturing requirements.
- Recommend formulation improvements supported by robust scientific evidence.
- Product Development
- Contribute technical expertise to the development of scalable formulation and coating processes suitable for commercial manufacture.
- Support laboratory, pilot and manufacturing activities by investigating how formulation influences processing behaviour and final product performance.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to investigate technical challenges and recommend practical solutions.
- Experimental Design & Scientific Investigation
- Design and execute experimental programmes aligned with agreed project objectives and technical priorities.
- Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and sound scientific methodology where appropriate.
- Analyse experimental data and translate findings into clear technical recommendations.
- Develop robust experimental methods and maintain high standards of scientific rigour, reproducibility and documentation.
- Technical Project Delivery
- Lead the scientific delivery of assigned technical work packages across funded and commercial R&D programmes.
- Plan and manage technical activities against agreed objectives, milestones and timelines.
- Identify technical risks, opportunities and proposed mitigation strategies.
- Contribute to technical reports, customer development projects and collaborative research activities.
- Innovation & Intellectual Property
- Identify opportunities to improve formulations, product performance and manufacturing robustness.
- Generate high quality technical evidence that supports innovation, intellectual property and future product development.
- Contribute to technical documentation supporting patents, funded projects and commercial activities.
What We're Looking For
- PhD, or MSc with significant industrial experience, in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Industrial experience developing bio based polymer formulations, functional coatings, film forming systems or other sustainable material technologies.
- Demonstrated experience optimising products against defined technical or customer performance requirements.
- Experience designing and delivering structured experimental programmes.
- Experience planning and managing technical projects or work packages against agreed objectives, milestones and timelines.
- Strong understanding of polymer structure property relationships.
- Excellent analytical, communication and problem solving skills.
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- Water soluble films
- Barrier or functional coatings
- Polysaccharides or naturally derived polymers
- Polymer rheology
- Scale up support
Personal Attributes
We're looking for someone who:
- Can make an immediate technical impact.
- Is scientifically rigorous and evidence led.
- Enjoys solving complex product development challenges.
- Is commercially aware and outcome focused.
- Works collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Is adaptable and comfortable working in a fast moving environment.
- Takes ownership of their work and follows through on delivery.
- Is motivated by developing sustainable technologies with real world impact.
How to Apply
If you're excited by the opportunity to help develop the next generation of sustainable polymer technologies, we'd love to hear from you. In your covering letter, please tell us:
- Why this opportunity interests you and why you believe you're a strong fit for PlantSea.
- Describe one polymer formulation, coating or product development project that you are particularly proud of. What challenge were you trying to solve, what was your approach, and what was the outcome?
- What experience do you have developing products or formulations to meet defined customer or commercial performance requirements?
- What unique skills, experience or perspective would you bring to PlantSea?
Scientist / Senior Scientist – Polymer Formulation & Product Development employer: Plantsea Ltd.
PlantSea is an innovative and award-winning biotechnology company that offers a dynamic work environment focused on sustainability and cutting-edge polymer technologies. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages scientific rigor and creativity, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding field. Located in a vibrant area, PlantSea provides a unique chance to contribute to meaningful projects that have a real-world impact on reducing plastic waste.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientist / Senior Scientist – Polymer Formulation & Product Development
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Plantsea Ltd.. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Plantsea Ltd.!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientist / Senior Scientist – Polymer Formulation & Product Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Plantsea Ltd. that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Plantsea Ltd..
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Plantsea Ltd. does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Plantsea Ltd.
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Plantsea Ltd.. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Plantsea Ltd.'s culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Plantsea Ltd.. This shows your passion for the industry!
