At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop and optimise chemistry for industrial processes.
- Company: Vateris, a dynamic company in Nottingham focused on innovative chemical solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming lab results into scalable industrial processes.
- Qualifications: PhD in Chemistry or related field with 5+ years of industrial experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Location: Nottingham, UK
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Company: Vateris
The Role
We are looking for a highly capable, hands-on Development Chemist to join our technical team and help develop, optimise and scale our chemistry from laboratory development into robust industrial processes. This is an applied industrial role for someone who enjoys solving difficult chemistry problems, optimising reactions and processes, working directly with pilot-scale equipment and using analytical data to drive process development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead chemical process development and optimisation from laboratory through TRL 5+ and pilot scale.
- Design and execute experiments to optimise reaction conditions, crystallisation, product quality, yield and process repeatability.
- Troubleshoot chemistry and process issues and perform structured root-cause analysis.
- Translate laboratory results into robust, repeatable and scalable industrial processes, defining operating windows and critical process parameters.
- Develop analytical methods, specifications, SOPs and quality-control procedures.
- Characterise materials and interpret results using techniques including FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS, BET, TGA/DSC, calorimetry and GC-MS.
- Work closely with chemical engineers, process engineers and the wider technical team during scale-up.
Candidate Profile
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Strong academic background from a leading university or equivalent research institution. Candidates from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Leeds and Sheffield, or comparably strong international institutions, are particularly relevant.
- 5+ years of relevant industrial experience following the PhD.
- Experience working within a startup, scale-up, advanced materials or industrial R&D environment is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrable experience progressing technology beyond laboratory research toward TRL 5+, pilot or demonstration scale.
- Strong hands-on analytical experience with several of the following: FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS, BET, TGA/DSC, Calorimetry, GC-MS.
- Strong capability in experimental design, process optimisation, troubleshooting and data interpretation.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where priorities are driven by achieving industrial scale.
What We Are Looking For
We are particularly interested in scientists who have moved beyond purely academic research and can demonstrate that they have developed and optimised chemistry into a reliable, repeatable and scalable industrial process. The successful candidate should be equally comfortable designing an experiment, interpreting analytical data, troubleshooting a failed process and working alongside engineers to make the chemistry operate at larger scale.
Research and Development Chemist (Permanent) in Nottingham employer: Vateris
Vateris is an exceptional employer located in Nottingham, UK, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience in cutting-edge chemistry applications. Our supportive culture encourages problem-solving and teamwork, making it an ideal place for passionate chemists to thrive and contribute to meaningful advancements in industrial processes.
