At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative polymer development projects and collaborate with industry experts.
- Company: Join Scott Bader, a pioneering employee-owned manufacturer with a century of expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful countryside location with great perks like an onsite pool.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability and technology while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree or PhD in Chemistry with polymer development experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
As our new Senior Polymer Chemist, you will play a key role within our Resin Technology team, helping to drive forward key initiatives aligned to our technology and sustainability strategy. Working across a range of medium and long-term development projects, you will contribute to the development of innovative platform technologies that support future business growth.
You will collaborate with both academic and industrial partners as part of cross-functional research projects, bringing technical expertise and fresh thinking to complex challenges. Alongside this, you will support the smooth transfer of new technologies into the wider development teams, ensuring innovation can be successfully scaled and applied.
Some of your key responsibilities:
- Lead and deliver medium and long-term development projects and technical support activities aligned to the Technology department roadmap and wider business objectives.
- Develop, evaluate and scale up new and existing polymer products and formulations, ensuring efficient delivery from concept through to market launch.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, customers and external partners to provide technical expertise, resolve challenges and support innovation initiatives.
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by sharing knowledge, supporting junior team members and promoting best practice across the Polymer Development team.
- Support the wider technology function through effective project reporting, IP and legislative awareness, technical troubleshooting and championing high HSE standards.
What do I need to be successful in this role?
- Degree in Chemistry with polymer development experience in an industrial environment, or a PhD in Polymer Chemistry with relevant industrial R&D experience.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering polymer development projects from laboratory stage through to production scale.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, including experience using tools such as MS Excel to analyse data and identify meaningful insights.
- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong project and workload management capability, with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and support or coordinate the work of others.
What’s in it for me?
- A competitive salary alongside inclusion into our company bonus scheme.
- Enhanced employer pension contribution whereby Scott Bader will contribute a maximum of 2x your contribution, up to a maximum of 10%.
- Private medical insurance alongside a host of further discounts and employee benefit schemes.
- 25 days annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays – We also offer the opportunity to purchase an additional 5 day’s annual leave in case you need a couple of extra days.
- We offer all our employees one full day per year to complete volunteering work of your choice which is fully paid.
- If you are thinking about fundraising for your favourite charity or local community event, we will happily match the funds that you have raised up to a maximum of £1000 in any one year.
- Access to free onsite car parking, electric car charging points, discounted cafeteria and even an onsite swimming pool.
Who are Scott Bader?
Scott Bader is an employee-owned global manufacturer of advanced composite resins, structural adhesives and functional polymers. Established in 1921, we have a century of expertise in manufacturing high-quality, innovative products for a variety of markets around the world. Scott Bader now employs over 800 people across 7 manufacturing sites and 18 offices worldwide.
We are committed to expanding our global reach, with recent ventures including India, Japan and Australia, while continuing to build on our reputation for innovation, outstanding quality and technical expertise.
Diversity & Inclusion: Our aim is to create an environment that is welcoming to all people, and ensures we treat each other and customers with respect. We appreciate different and fresh ways of thinking, encouraging innovation where colleagues feel they can express their views freely, and create a working atmosphere in which everyone is able to deliver a high-quality service.
Senior Polymer Chemist employer: Scott Bader Global
Scott Bader is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers employees to contribute to meaningful projects in polymer chemistry. With a strong focus on sustainability and employee well-being, the company provides competitive salaries, generous benefits including enhanced pension contributions, private medical insurance, and opportunities for personal growth through volunteering and fundraising initiatives. Nestled in the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside, employees enjoy a supportive environment with access to excellent facilities, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in a forward-thinking organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Polymer Chemist
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like Scott Bader Global. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
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✨Showcase Your Research & Projects
Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to Scott Bader Global, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
✨Connect With Recruiters Specialised in Chemistry
Reach out to recruitment agencies that focus on the chemistry sector. They often have inside tracks on job openings at companies like Scott Bader Global and can provide valuable advice tailored to full-time roles in our industry. Don't be shy to ask for insights!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Polymer Chemist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at Scott Bader Global. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scott Bader Global
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to Scott Bader Global and the Senior Polymer Chemist role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
