Materials Scientist in Bristol

Ponda is a biomaterials company developing technologies to transform plants grown on regenerated peatlands into next-generation textiles for the fashion industry. Our first product, BioPuff, is an innovative insulation material used as an alternative to animal-based goose-down and synthetic fillers. By connecting the restoration of precious peatlands to the creation of healthier materials, farmers are able to build climate resilience whilst supplying an industry striving to reach net-zero targets.

Ponda is seeking a highly motivated materials scientist to join our material development team. You will join us at an exciting stage in our journey, with new products in the pipeline and a range of brand partnerships. In this role you will draw upon your expertise in fibre processing to create and refine natural fibre products, enhancing performance in-line with industry requirements. This will require an innovative approach, as we aim to introduce a novel fibre to the fashion industry. We are looking for a candidate to work holistically across our production, from fibre extraction to final product (loose-fill and nonwoven). You will work hands‑on with the material and engage with our engineering and garment integration teams to implement and test improvement measures. You will join a small but growing team, giving you the freedom to innovate and shape the future of textile supply chains.

Key Responsibilities

• Materials & Fibre Development
  • Research, design, and test fibre treatments and material modifications to improve performance and durability.
  • Develop and refine natural fibre processing routes suitable for scale‑up and commercial production.
  • Contribute to the technical development of BioPuff® product formats, with a core focus on nonwoven.
  • Manage and build a network of third party providers for testing and development services.
  • Work closely with agriculture and supply chain teams to develop and refine feedstock quality and consistency.
• Testing, Characterisation & Quality
  • Run lab-scale and production-scale equipment to create samples for internal testing and customer trials.
  • Manage material testing in-line with ISO and other standards.
  • Design and implement material testing protocols where necessary.
  • Develop and implement quality control procedures to ensure consistency and repeatability of fibre products.
• Scale‑Up & Manufacturing Support
  • Work closely with process and manufacturing engineers to integrate improved fibre treatments and material processes into production.
  • Design and support industrial trials, with troubleshooting during scale‑up from lab to pilot and production scale.
  • Conduct feasibility studies and contribute to cost and sustainability assessments of new materials and processes.
• Collaboration & R&D Pathways
  • Collaborate with garment integration, and commercial teams to provide technical guidance on material use and performance.
  • Stay informed on emerging sustainable materials technologies and contribute ideas for future product development.

About You

You love getting stuck in. This is a deeply practical role where hands‑on work is central to how we innovate - we learn fast by testing, breaking, tweaking, and trying again. You’re comfortable moving between the lab bench, the workshop, and the production floor, and you’re as happy running experiments as you are modifying a bit of kit to make it work better. If you’re a materials science extraordinaire who also knows how to fix a bike, bodge a prototype, or plumb a sink when needed, you’ll feel right at home at Ponda. We’re a small, fast‑moving team, and the people who thrive here are curious, resourceful, and not afraid to get their hands dirty in the name of progress.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2 to 5 years’ experience in a relevant materials, textiles, or fibre‑focused role, specifically, holding an R&D position within a manufacturing company.
• Highly proactive and self‑led, comfortable identifying problems, designing experiments, and driving work forward without waiting for instruction.
• Practical experience with natural fibres, sustainable materials, or bio‑based products.
• Familiarity with materials testing, characterisation techniques, and quality control principles.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working across technical and non‑technical teams.
• A genuine interest in sustainability and environmentally responsible materials development.

Bonus (But Not Essential)

• Experience with nonwoven manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with novel or under‑utilised natural fibres.
• Workshop or prototyping experience.
• Exposure to scale‑up, pilot trials, or manufacturing environments.

What You’ll Get in Return

• Competitive salary.
• Be part of an innovative endeavour towards truly regenerative materials.
• Contribute to company research direction.
• Flexible working around core hours.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Scale with a rapidly growing organisation, working with experienced and motivated individuals.
• Birthday day off.
• Fun! We work hard, but we make sure we enjoy the process.

Ponda aims to be an equal opportunities employer. We invest in people regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. We assure equality and respect. We do not accept any form of harassment, bias or discrimination towards applicants and employees.