At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a passionate team tackling plastic waste with innovative materials and hands-on problem solving.
- Company: Shellworks, a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, 28 days holiday, and wellness allowances.
- Other info: Enjoy regular socials, catered lunches, and excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while working in a dynamic start-up culture.
- Qualifications: Masters/PhD in relevant field with industry experience and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
London, N4. 4 days in our office, 1 day from home (choose from Tue–Thu). £55 - 65k 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
- Holds an engineering degree with a focus on materials, polymers or a related field, with at least 2 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.
- 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 molding.
- 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 / PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field, with at least 2 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.
- Deep command of chemistry fundamentals, with the ability to connect microstructure to macro-material properties.
- You thrive in a high-autonomy, fast‑moving start‑up environment - spotting opportunities, building structure from scratch, and moving projects forward without waiting for instruction.
- Independent decision maker, you feel confident operating in ambiguity while driving clarity and momentum.
- A do it yourself / can do mentality - not focussed on boundaries but interdisciplinary problem solving.
What we offer
- 28 days holiday + statutory holidays.
- Enhanced parental leave - 12 weeks maternity at full pay, 6 weeks paternity at full pay.
- Heka wellbeing allowance - to spend on what matters to you - gym, therapy, nutrition, learning, fertility and menopause support, and lots of other options!
- Virtual GP - same or next day appointments and private prescriptions delivered to you.
- Cycle to work scheme - buy, subscribe to, or share a bike with savings of up to 42% via salary sacrifice.
- Competitive salary + equity options.
- Growth and development opportunities as we scale.
- Regular socials + daily catered lunch at the office.
- A tightly knit, passionate team making a real impact.
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.
This role involves travel and requires manual handling of goods up to 25kg in weight.
Senior Scientist employer: Shellworks
At Shellworks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to sustainability and innovation. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the fight against plastic waste. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including enhanced parental leave, a wellbeing allowance, and ample opportunities for professional growth, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally in our dynamic London office.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Shellworks. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching Shellworks and its mission. Show us how your skills align with our goals of sustainability and innovation. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles. We want to see that solution-focused mindset in action, especially when it comes to materials and engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sustainability:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through! We want to see how your values align with our mission to tackle plastic waste. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your engineering degree and industry experience, and don’t forget to mention your hands-on approach and problem-solving skills. We love seeing candidates who can connect their background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate candidates who can communicate complex ideas simply, especially when it comes to translating technical specifications for our design and commercial teams.
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, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Shellworks!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shellworks
✨Know Your Chemistry Fundamentals
Brush up on your chemistry basics, especially how microstructure relates to macro-material properties. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your deep understanding of these concepts.
✨Show Your Curiosity and Initiative
Prepare to share instances where you've taken the initiative in previous roles. Highlight any hands-on projects where you’ve solved problems or improved processes, as this aligns with the solution-focused mindset they’re looking for.
✨Understand Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Shellworks' mission to eliminate plastic waste. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences can contribute to their goals, and think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table.
✨Be Ready for Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across disciplines. Emphasise your ability to communicate technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
