Senior Research Scientist – Microstructure Characterisation

Overview

Job title: Senior Research Scientist – Microstructure Characterisation

Location: Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), Port Sunlight Labs

Work Level: 1RH5

Purpose

Drive the application of Physical Characterisation principles, grounded in Materials Sciences and Analytical methods, to drive the understanding of microstructures and their connection to product performance, for the top priorities in Unilever Personal Care. An individual with a genuine passion for working at the leading edge of Materials Sciences and Analytical Chemistry.

Accountabilities

• Deliver impact from the understanding of complex microstructures in complex liquids and soft-matter, driving superior technology delivery to meet Personal Care’s growth ambition.
• Own their functional expertise and deploy it to deliver data conducive to insights on the relationship between microstructures, chemistry, and product performance.
• Develop protocols for chemical / analytical / physical / soft-matter characterisation and apply said protocols to project and programme deliverables. Define sample preparation and presentation strategies.
• Coach internal users and external operators to run routine analyses correctly with fast escalation paths.
• Own custodianship of complex instruments in chromatographic and mass spectroscopy techniques. Coordinate maintenance schedules with 3rd party suppliers, user access, calibrations and record keeping of quality audits. Troubleshoot protocol development or adjustments to current protocols.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and 3rd parties to maintain instruments, provide technical support on method development, and procurement of the right consumables.

Safety and sustainability

• Ensure all work is done in accordance with Unilever health, safety and wellbeing policies and sustainable targets to meet Unilever’s high standards.
• Hold teams (internal and external) and themselves accountable for working to these standards.

Competencies

• Scientific problem solving at pace; selects the right technique(s), develops protocols for measurement, proposes solutions for complex materials and environments.
• Technical depth & curiosity across multiple disciplines in pursuit of insights with reliable sensitivity/robustness.
• Data rigour & traceability. Methodical in capturing and analysing data at high volumes, comfortably.
• Custodianship & safety; keeps shared assets running compliantly and reliably.

Skills/Experience

• PhD/ Engineering Doctorate (or equivalent by experience) in Materials Sciences, Chemistry or closely related discipline, with core expertise on x-ray diffraction techniques (SAXS/SANS/WAXS), and wider awareness of complementary characterisation techniques. Experience in characterisation of complex liquids &/or soft solids and microstructure.
• Evidence of development of protocols and physical models using SAXS/SANS/WAXS and complementary techniques to elucidate the drivers of change in microstructure upon changes in chemistry, concentration, process and applications for microstructure understanding.
• Evidence of development of protocols and physical models using GC/LC methods (e.g. GC IMS, MS) and related. Willingness to develop knowledge in other related chromatographic techniques.
• Evidence of self-leadership: management of own workload plans, working priorities with stakeholders, proposing hypotheses to pursue, and following through.
• Experience in an industrial research environment, or experience bridging academia to industrial sponsors, delivering tangible results through application of complex characterisation methods.
• Desirable: competent with data analytics and coding abilities e.g. Python, JMP.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to lead and deliver through others.

Notes

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

What we offer

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please consider Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com) and note this is presented without a hyperlink.