Senior Research Scientist 1 - Process Chemistry (Polymers)
Salary: £34,500 - £46,500 per annum (dependent on experience)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Sedgefield

The Role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced synthetic chemist to join CPI's Process Chemistry team as a technical specialist in polymer and process development.
We're looking for individuals with strong practical chemistry experience who are confident designing, developing and scaling chemical processes beyond the traditional bench environment. The successful candidates will contribute to a broad range of customer and collaborative R&D programmes, with a particular focus on polymer synthesis, process development and scale-up.

A key aspect of the role will involve supporting projects relating to acrylic polymerisation, vinyl monomer chemistry and sustainable materials development. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop robust, scalable and safe chemical processes while helping customers overcome complex technical challenges.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading technical delivery across small and medium-sized process chemistry projects.
• Designing, planning and executing experimental programmes focused on polymer and process development.
• Developing and optimising polymerisation reactions and synthetic routes.
• Supporting scale-up activities from laboratory development through to pilot-scale operations.
• Working safely with reactive, corrosive, oxidising and exothermic chemistries.
• Conducting hazard reviews, risk assessments and process safety activities.
• Analysing experimental data and translating observations into meaningful process improvements.
• Producing high-quality technical reports and project documentation.
• Acting as a technical specialist within project teams and supporting junior scientists.
• Collaborating with customers, business development teams and external partners on new opportunities.
• Contributing to the growth of CPI's polymer chemistry and sustainable materials capabilities.

About You:

We are looking for a practical, hands-on chemist who combines strong laboratory skills with experience of process development and scale-up.

You will likely have:

• A degree, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related discipline.
• Industrial experience within process chemistry, polymer chemistry or chemical development.
• A strong background in synthetic chemistry.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory-based experimental programmes.
• The ability to solve complex technical problems and interpret experimental results.
• Excellent communication and technical reporting skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive approach and the confidence to work independently on technical challenges.

Particularly Relevant Experience
We would be especially interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Polymer synthesis
• Acrylic polymerisation
• Vinyl or phenyl monomer chemistry
• Small molecule synthesis
• Radical polymerisation
• Process development and optimisation
• Pilot-scale or industrial-scale chemistry
• Scale-up within reactor-based environments
• Hazardous chemical processes
• Process safety, hazard reviews and troubleshooting
• Sustainable materials development
• Advanced materials manufacturing

What We're Looking For:

This role would suit someone who:

• Has developed a strong chemistry foundation through industry or applied research.
• Enjoys taking ownership of technical challenges.
• Is comfortable moving from laboratory work into larger-scale process development.
• Understands how to safely operate and develop potentially hazardous chemistry.
• Can balance scientific rigour with practical delivery.
• Wants to build expertise in polymer process development and scale-up within a highly collaborative environment.

Why Join CPI?

This is an opportunity to join a growing process chemistry team working on commercially relevant projects that help bring innovative and sustainable technologies to market.
You'll work with experienced scientists and engineers across a diverse portfolio of projects, gaining exposure to advanced materials, polymer technologies, process scale-up and future manufacturing. If you're an experienced polymer or synthetic chemist looking to take the next step in your career while working on technically challenging and impactful projects, we'd love to hear from you.

If you have been referred by a CPI employee, please apply through us and email recruitment@uk-cpi.com referencing campaign advert along with the person who has referred you.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Vertage Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.