Application/Product Development Scientist / Senior Scientist

Thermulon; London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a talented R&D Scientist to develop cutting-edge aerogel insulation products for Electric Vehicles and Construction. This role offers the chance to work in a dynamic environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and execute experimental programs. You will leverage your academic and industrial expertise to create novel formulations, contributing to significant intellectual property and enhancing the company's market position. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to make an impact in the green transition, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Flexible working hours

Private Medical Insurance

Health/Wellbeing Allowance

Ride to Work Scheme

Enhanced Pension Contributions

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave

Life Event Support

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc with 4+ years in product development or formulation.
• Experience in polymeric foams and related industrial settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of applications for aerogel products.
• Conduct experiments to improve product performance and quality.
• Collaborate with teams to meet product development goals.

Skills

Research and Development

Organic Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Data Analysis

Report Writing

Material Development

Problem Solving

Education

PhD in Organic/Polymer Chemistry

MSc in Material Engineering

Tools

GPC

TGA

NMR

FTIR

Job description

Company Profile

Thermulon is an impact driven team of entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists developing a high-performance, fire-safe insulation material, aerogels. Aerogels are the most insulating materials known to science and we believe they'll be at the centre of the green transition which is taking place today with key uses in Electric Vehicles and Construction.

Founded in 2019, Thermulon is backed by influential venture capitalists including Deep Science Ventures, Sustainable Ventures, and Sky Ocean Ventures. We also have the support of angel investors and crowdfunding campaigns. Our dedication to technological advancement and sustainability has gained recognition from industry-leading organizations such as the Cleantech Group, Futurebuild, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Job Profile

Based in labs in London, we are seeking an ambitious and talented individual to help develop new aerogel insulation products for Electric Vehicles and Construction. As a member of the application/product development scientist, you will be challenged to develop novel methodologies for incorporation of Thermulon's insulating aerogel powders into a range of new end-user products (such as boards, panels, foams and blankets).

You will work closely with the core Chemistry and Process teams and with Business Development as a key technical person. Your responsibilities will be to design, formulate and demonstrate new applications through an agile iterative product development process. The role will bridge a range of chemistries requiring you to be flexible and willing to learn about new materials and apply your own knowledge from academic/industrial/literature research to achieve the project goals. This role offers the opportunity to develop key intellectual property for Thermulon to strengthen its commercial offering.

Responsibilities

• Leading development of key applications for Thermulon Aerogel, through the design, execution, progress monitoring, analysis and reporting of business critical experimental programmes.
• Apply academic expertise and industrial knowledge to develop new product development and test methodologies, and laboratory capabilities for aerogel product formulations into various end-product formats (e.g. boards, panel, matt).
• Design and conduct research, experiments, and tests to improve product performance and quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and meet product development goals and timelines.
• Analyse and interpret experimental data, and generate reports and presentations .targeted at team members, senior management and external stakeholders.
• Generation of protectable IP to bring the product to market.
  
  
  

Requirements

We welcome applicants who may not meet all the requirements but are motivated and willing to learn. If you believe you possess the majority of the skills and qualities listed below, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• PhD level in a relevant field (organic/polymer chemistry or material engineering) or at least MSc plus 4+ years' experience in product development or formulation of materials, or a related field with significant level of experience in PU foam specific industrial setting.
• Qualification focused on Organic/Polymers/Materials preferred
  
  
  

Technical Requirements

This is a broad role and so we expect people with a broad subset of technical expertise to apply. If you feel you have a relevant set of expertise to do this role but don't hit all of the points below, we also encourage you to apply.

• Research and Development experience in a relevant field (organic/polymer chemistry or material engineering).
• Experience in industrial product development or formulation of materials in polymeric foams or related fields (e.g. polymer chemistry, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, adhesives, coatings).
• Proven experience of working within a laboratory on new product/formulation development to meet external customer requirements, taking concepts to viable prototypes within a set timeframe.
• Adapt to changing research environment to ensure goals are reached to tight deadlines.
• 1K/2K resin chemistry development experience.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and report writing.
• Knowledge of insulation materials and related manufacturing methodologies and characterization techniques.
• Knowledge of aerogel materials..
• Knowledge of analysis techniques i.e. GPC, TGA, NMR, FTIR, Mechanical properties.
  
  
  

Personal Requirements

• Uncompromising attitude to health & safety in design and execution of experimental and other work.
• A creative innovator or problem solver, with a keen interest and aptitude in material or product development targeting product performance benefits.
• Proven ability to design, execute, monitor progress of, and report, results-focused R&D projects and programmes
• Quick to learn, pick up and critically evaluate information
• Ability to keep accurate and diligent records
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to communicate clearly and concisely, tailored to target audience.
• Ability to work independently, and prioritise own tasks in line with business priorities.
• Excited to join a fast-moving start-up team, looking to grow with the company through its rapid expansion
  
  
  

Diversity and Inclusion statement

We are especially keen to encourage applications and interest from individuals underrepresented in the deep tech and climate space. Climate change and climate justice is both a social and inclusion issue. We especially welcome applicants with experience across all equality and inclusion challenges and are keen for applicants who may have different experiences to those exactly specified in the application.

Benefits

Job type: full time, London based, permanent contract

Salary:

R&D Scientist: 37-47k / Senior R&D Scientist: 47-60k, subject to experience

Wellbeing

• 30 days holiday for everyone
• Flexible working outside of core hours, based on workload and team agreements
• Private Medical insurance for you and your dependents (Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alternative treatments and Travel Insurance)
• Health/wellbeing allowance £600 per year to spend on activities which lead to better physical / mental health (it may be the gym, it may be a spa day, it may be a membership to headspace or some sessions with a therapist, you know you best)
• Ride to work scheme - Obtain a new bicycle and equipment through salary sacrifice, with government assistance contributing tax benefits to support the payment.
  
  
  

Life Events (those who have passed probation can choose one of the below each calendar year)

• Enhanced Ethically invested pension - increase the company contribution by 1%, or
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave - up to 12 months enhanced (Mat: 6months 100% and 6 months 50% Pat: 2 months 100%, 1 month 50%), Policy available for those with a minimum of 2 years' service, or
• Life event support £1000 - whether it's a wedding, buying a house, something big and important to you we will help