At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative R&D projects in chemistry and materials science for construction technologies.
- Company: Join Sika, a global leader in specialty chemicals with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career progression and global exposure.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable construction while developing your scientific skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in chemistry or related field; R&D experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Company Description
Sika is a speciality chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protection in the building sector and industrial manufacturing.
Sika has subsidiaries in 102 countries and produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide through more than 400 factories.
In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation sectors towards greater environmental compatibility.
With more than 34,000 employees, the company generated sales of CHF 11.76 billion in 2024.
Job Description
The Technology Centre at Redditch supports the development, improvement and lifecycle management of specialist construction-material technologies, including the Ucrete product range.
The team works across R&D, Operations, Quality, Procurement and Product Management to turn scientific understanding into robust products, well-controlled changes and practical value for customers.
This role provides dedicated scientific and technological capability for the development, improvement and lifecycle maintenance of the Ucrete product range.
You will combine formulation and materials expertise with disciplined product governance, safe laboratory practice and modern, data-led R&D.
Your work will help convert experimental and product data into sound technical decisions, robust products and efficient, well-controlled product changes.
Qualifications
- A degree, or equivalent relevant experience, in chemistry, materials science, polymer science, chemical engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Practical industrial R&D experience in formulation, materials development, product development or product maintenance; experience of resin, cementitious, flooring or construction-material systems would be advantageous.
- Strong experimental skills, including safe laboratory working, test planning, troubleshooting, interpretation of results and clear technical reporting.
- The ability to work within product-creation, stage-gate, change-control, quality and compliance processes while building effective relationships across functions.
- Data literacy beyond routine spreadsheet use, with the ability to structure, clean, analyse and visualise technical data and the appetite to learn tools such as Power BI, Python, statistical software, AI or machine-learning platforms.
- Scientific curiosity, ownership and integrity, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly, adapt quickly and progress work proactively.
- Additional Information
What's In it for You?
- Lead development work from technical concept through formulation, testing, scale-up support and product introduction, responding to customer, market, performance and sustainability needs.
- Own assigned product-maintenance and lifecycle activities, including raw-material changes, reformulation, quality investigations and technical support, using clear risk assessment and validation plans.
- Help shape a modern data culture by creating reliable, reusable datasets and applying advanced analytics, visualisation, artificial intelligence and machine learning where they add genuine scientific and commercial value.
From day one, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your product and materials knowledge, experimental practice, project delivery and data capability.
This includes developing your use of advanced Excel, Power BI, Python, statistical tools and responsibly governed AI or machine-learning approaches, supported by local development initiatives and the global Sika Business School offering.
You will be rewarded with a competitive salary and a strong package of benefits, including:
- 25 days holiday, rising to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays
- Core-hours working
- Company pension contribution of up to 10%
- Private healthcare for you, with the option to add family
- Group life cover at six times your annual salary and Global Income Protection
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Staff discount platform, Cycle to Work scheme, service awards and selected discounted Sika products
You will join a collaborative, cross-functional environment with access to colleagues across R&D, Operations, Quality, Procurement and Product Management.
The role offers the scope to build strong internal networks, draw on wider Sika expertise and develop practical knowledge of product-creation, change-control and decision pathways.
This position can provide a platform for progression into broader specialist, project-leadership or R&D leadership roles, together with opportunities to develop across a global company and a variety of business areas.
We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role.
Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training.
We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
R&D Chemist in Redditch employer: Sika
Sika is an excellent employer that values work-life balance, offering a hybrid role with 80% office-based work and flexible hours to accommodate your lifestyle. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, Sika fosters a collaborative work culture where innovation thrives, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the building envelope sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Chemist in Redditch
✨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 Sika. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
✨Utilise Online Platforms for Chemistry Jobs
Don’t just rely on mainstream job boards. Sites like Chemistry World and Chemjobs are specifically geared for our field. Set up alerts for new openings at places like Sika to be the first to apply!
✨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 Sika, 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 Sika 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 R&D Chemist in Redditch
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 Sika. 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 Sika
✨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 Sika and the R&D 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!
