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- Tasks: Lead the development of sustainable polymer materials and ensure they meet commercial performance targets.
- Company: Join Shellworks, a mission-driven team tackling plastic waste with innovative materials.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, generous holiday, and daily catered lunches.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while working with cutting-edge materials science.
- Qualifications: Masters or PhD in Polymer Science with industry experience and a hands-on approach.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with growth opportunities and a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
đź“Ť London, N4
🏛️ 4 days in our office, 1 day from home (choose from Tue–Thu)
đź’° ÂŁ50 - 60k per annum + equity
About Shellworks
At Shellworks, we’re on a mission to make plastic waste a thing of the past. We’re creating a new generation of materials – sustainable, high‑performing, and designed to disappear. By reimagining how materials are made, we’re tackling one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end‑to‑end development of proprietary polymer blends and additive packages. You’ll be responsible for expanding our core material’s scope, successfully hitting commercial performance targets.
- Engineer formulations that remain robust and uncompromising during a product shelf‑life but become rapidly biodegradable the moment they reach their end‑of‑life.
- Develop a predictive framework that correlates lab‑based rheological and thermal data to real‑world machine settings. Your goal is to eliminate trial‑and‑error by predicting how materials will behave before they hit the factory floor.
- Expand our internal testing suite to connect microstructure analysis (crystallinity, melt stability, etc.) to macroscopic failure modes. You’ll deep‑dive into analysis to understand exactly why materials succeed or fail in the field.
- Collaborate daily with our manufacturing and engineering teams. You’ll ensure your formulations are “manufacture‑ready”, stable, repeatable, and optimised for industrial‑scale extrusion and moulding.
- Act as the technical bridge between our design and commercial teams. You will translate customer requirements into concrete chemical specifications, ensuring our materials meet the aesthetic and functional needs of the world’s biggest brands.
- As a member of a dynamic team, you won’t just stay in your lane. You’ll jump in wherever needed, from vetting new sustainable feedstock suppliers to identifying and researching new opportunity spaces.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Holds a Masters or PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field, with at least two years of industry experience.
- Brings a solution‑focused, results‑driven mindset and a strong willingness to learn; this is a hands‑on role that requires curiosity and initiative.
- Has a deep command of polymer chemistry, with the ability to connect rheology, crystallinity, thermal behaviour, and melt stability to real processing outcomes.
- Possesses comprehensive knowledge of polymer science, formulation, and analysis – you know how to connect the microstructure of polymers to macroscopic enhancements.
- Is an independent decision maker, confident operating in ambiguity while driving clarity and momentum.
- Has a “do‑it‑yourself” / can‑do mentality – not focused on boundaries but interdisciplinary problem‑solving.
What We Offer
- 21 days holiday plus birthday off and 27–31 Dec (plus public holidays)
- Growth and development opportunities as we scale
- Competitive salary plus equity options
- Regular socials and daily catered lunch at the office
- A tight‑knit, mission‑driven team working on something that matters
Join Us
Becoming a part of Shellworks means being part of a team that’s passionate about sustainability and innovation. Our world‑class team includes experts in materials science and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better future. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible.
Senior Polymer Scientist employer: Shellworks
Contact Detail:
Shellworks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Polymer Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals 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
Prepare for interviews by researching Shellworks and its mission. Understand their products and how your skills as a Senior Polymer Scientist can contribute to their goals. Tailor your answers to show how you can help tackle plastic waste.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical explanations! Be ready to discuss polymer chemistry and your past projects in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand. Show them you can bridge the gap between science and practical application.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Shellworks team and our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Polymer Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Polymer Scientist role. Highlight your relevant experience in polymer science and any specific projects that showcase your skills in developing sustainable materials. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sustainability and how your background aligns with our goals at Shellworks. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to polymer chemistry and formulation. We’re looking for a can-do attitude and innovative thinking!
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 the role. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about our team and mission while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shellworks
✨Know Your Polymers
Make sure you brush up on your polymer chemistry before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've engineered formulations and tackled challenges in your previous roles. This will show that you not only understand the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share instances where you've successfully solved complex problems, especially in relation to material behaviour and processing outcomes. Highlight your 'do-it-yourself' mentality and how you've driven clarity in ambiguous situations.
✨Connect with Their Mission
Shellworks is all about sustainability and innovation. Make sure you express your passion for these values during the interview. Share any relevant experiences or projects that align with their mission to make plastic waste a thing of the past.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current projects, challenges they face in developing biodegradable materials, or how they envision the future of polymer science at Shellworks. This shows you're engaged and eager to contribute.