At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic two-year leadership programme with hands-on R&D experience.
- Company: Synthomer, a leading supplier of high-performance polymers and ingredients.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, global exposure, mentorship, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on personal growth and real-world challenges.
- Why this job: Accelerate your career while making a real impact in sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry or related field; industrial R&D experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Ignite Your Potential with Synthomer
Are you ready to turn your scientific curiosity into a career that makes a real impact?
Ignite Graduate Leadership Programme
Our Ignite Graduate Leadership Programme is a unique two-year development journey designed for ambitious graduates who want to challenge themselves, accelerate their careers, and help shape the future of innovation at Synthomer.
Through four six-month rotations across our Research & Development teams, you’ll gain broad technical exposure, develop commercial awareness, build a global network, and discover where your strengths and passions can take you.
Whether you’re in the laboratory, presenting project results, analysing data, or collaborating with colleagues across different functions and geographies, you’ll be developing the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to become one of Synthomer’s future leaders.
What You’ll Experience
- A structured two-year graduate programme with four rotational placements across key R&D functions.
- Hands‑on involvement in innovative research projects that contribute to real business outcomes.
- Opportunities to lead your own experiments, solve technical challenges, and bring new ideas to life.
- Mentorship and support from experienced technical and business leaders.
- Exposure to global teams, customers, and projects, helping you build valuable international experience.
- Development of both your scientific expertise and your leadership capability.
- Training designed to strengthen your technical knowledge, problem‑solving skills, communication, and commercial understanding.
- The opportunity to build a broad professional network across technical, commercial, and operational teams.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for graduates who are naturally curious, eager to learn, and excited by the idea of solving complex challenges through science and innovation.
You’ll thrive in this programme if you:
- Have recently completed, or are on track to complete, a degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline.
- Enjoy analysing data, investigating problems, and identifying practical solutions.
- Are passionate about innovation and excited by the opportunity to work on cutting‑edge technologies.
- Have gained laboratory, industrial placement, or research experience during your studies.
- Are a strong communicator who can collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds and disciplines.
- Can balance multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
- Are adaptable, resilient, and motivated to learn from new experiences.
- Have the ambition to develop into a future technical or business leader.
Your Future Starts Here
At Synthomer, we’re investing in the next generation of scientific talent. Through the Ignite Graduate Leadership Programme, you’ll gain the experience, skills, and support needed to accelerate your development and build a rewarding career with a global leader in specialty materials.
Location
Harlow, Essex
Global Benefits Overview
- Competitive, market‑aligned compensation
- Discretionary global bonus scheme
- Discretionary Long‑Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
- Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
- Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
- Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
- Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
- Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
- Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
- Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
- Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
- Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes
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Graduate Chemist in Harlow employer: Synthomer
At Synthomer in Harlow, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that prioritises safety, operational excellence, and employee development. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous improvement and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth within a high-hazard manufacturing environment. With competitive compensation and a commitment to team success, we offer a rewarding career path for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Chemist in Harlow
✨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 Synthomer. 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 Synthomer 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 Synthomer, 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 Synthomer 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 Graduate Chemist in Harlow
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 Synthomer. 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 Synthomer
✨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 Synthomer and the Graduate 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!
