At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative recycling technologies for sustainable textiles.
- Company: Join a pioneering UK-based fibre reclamation company focused on green chemistry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced, dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability by transforming waste into high-performing materials.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master's in relevant fields with hands-on R&D experience.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Dye Recycle is a UK-based fibre reclamation company that transforms real-world waste into high performing materials. Our green chemistry technology separates clean fibres from vibrant colours, refining the unrecyclable into spin-ready textiles. We are a rapidly growing team working at the cutting edge of fibres, green chemistry, and circular products. In your role, you will be building a technology that is redefining the bounds of material recyclability. At present, only 1% of textiles are recycled back into textiles, while the remaining 120 million metric tons of waste remains in landfill. Your discoveries are the backbone of our innovation, and your experiments actively shape a more sustainable future. The work is fast paced, bold, and joyful, and we never lose sight of why we are here.
Role summary
As a Polymer Chemist, you will unlock the next generation of circular textiles by leading the development of scalable fibre to fibre recycling for PET manufacture. This is an end-to-end technical role - you will design experiments, run bench and pilot trials, develop and validate analytical methods, and collaborate with engineers to demonstrate industrial scale technologies across extraction, washing, drying, glycolysis, and repolymerisation. This role suits someone with agile experience in polymer characterization, depolymerization, polycondensation polymerization chemistry, preferably with hands-on experience in PET glycolysis. This position is not a continuation of academic research. You will balance innovation-driven experimentation with precise project planning and success metrics. Your experimental designs will de-risk rapidly changing product requirements, shifting validation methodology and data translation to meet evolving client and market requirements. This role requires you to understand what tests and collaborative evidence will create new partnerships, all with the highest standards of scientific rigor.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimise scalable PET decolourisation and decontamination via our solvent route for textile feedstocks.
- Conduct a range of materials testing and characterisation studies, including rheometry testing, MFI, tensile strength, XRD, FTIR, TGA, DSC, and textile testing.
- Formulate and validate PET glycolysis workflows for decoloured PET fibre, including catalyst selection, EG/PET ratios, reaction conditions, and BHET purification.
- Establish re-polymerisation/polycondensation routes from BHET or other monomers, targeting defined molecular weight/IV and polymer quality for intended downstream applications.
- Troubleshoot interference from waste contamination and define pre-treatment specifications and corrective process steps.
- Design and run bench scale and pilot (continuous) extraction trials and develop wash/drying trains and IL recovery/regeneration steps.
- Synthesise and structure experimental data to clarify product development decisions.
- Draft replicable SOPs to ensure robust, traceable protocols.
- Develop accurate but flexible project timelines with measurable milestones and key results, to be validated by key experiments and validation protocols.
- Contribute to strengthening of company intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets.
Qualifications
- PhD or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Textile Engineering, or related field, preferably with 2-3 years of direct R&D industry or high-growth startup experience, including a strong research background and proven ability to plan and execute experimentation plans linked to business KPIs.
- Experience with polymer re-polymerisation / polycondensation and polymer characterisation (IV, GPC, thermal analysis).
- A serious advantage if previous experience with PET glycolysis / chemical depolymerisation and BHET chemistry, or similar reaction pathways, including catalyst handling and product purification.
- Exceptional experimental design (DoE) and replication for KPI validation, with experience in commercial product development a significant benefit.
- Robust command of diverse validation methodologies for product development, including HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GPC/SEC, NMR, Karl-Fischer, DSC/TGA, ICP-MS, and HS-GC.
- Practical experience with lab and pilot chemical equipment including jacketed reactors (semi-continuous), filtration/centrifugation, vacuum ovens/dryers, and bench-scale polymer synthesis apparatus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to write clear SOPs, technical reports, while also translating findings to non-technical audiences.
Polymer Chemist employer: Talentium AB
Dye Recycle is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where your contributions as a Polymer Chemist will directly impact the future of sustainable textiles. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, we provide opportunities for hands-on experimentation and the chance to work alongside passionate professionals in the cutting-edge field of green chemistry. Our commitment to a joyful and fast-paced culture ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to drive meaningful change in the textile industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Talentium AB. 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 Talentium AB 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 Talentium AB, 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 Talentium AB 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 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 Talentium AB. 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 Talentium AB
✨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 Talentium AB and the 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!
