Chemist/Materials Scientist

Cambridge Consultants; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Company bonus

Flexible working patterns and hybrid

Medical insurance

Employee assistance programme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Sabbatical leave

Travel insurance

Generous pension plan

Career development and training

Free breakfast and two-course lunch

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Cambridge Consultants is seeking a Chemist/Materials Scientist to apply chemistry and materials expertise to a wide range of engineering challenges across energy, healthcare, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.

You will design and run experimental programmes, interpret results, and work with engineers and commercial teams to translate findings into practical solutions. The role offers hybrid working, strong career development and a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• An excellent first degree and/or PhD in chemistry, materials science, or a closely related discipline.
• Broad understanding of chemistry and materials principles and their applicability to technical challenges.
• Desire to apply chemistry and materials science to real-world product developments in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to work with engineering teams to select or model materials for specific applications.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Enjoy hands-on practical science and be able to structure a technical plan to meet commercial objectives.

Responsibilities

• Designing and executing experimental programmes to investigate complex chemistry and materials science challenges.
• Applying scientific knowledge to support the development of cutting-edge technologies across sectors including energy, healthcare, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
• Planning, conducting and interpreting laboratory testing, analysis and characterisation activities.
• Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists and commercial teams to translate technical findings into practical engineering solutions.
• Use modelling, simulation and analytical techniques to inform product and system design decisions.
• Researching unfamiliar technical areas, rapidly assimilating new information to solve novel and multidisciplinary problems.
• Communicating complex technical concepts and results clearly to colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Contributing to the delivery of consultancy projects, helping clients make informed technical and commercial decisions.
• Supporting innovation from concept generation through to prototype development, testing and validation.

Education

First degree and/or PhD in chemistry or materials science

Job description

Overview

Are you motivated by the prospect of applying your theoretical knowledge and experimental excellence to real-world engineering challenges? Join our team of talented scientists, mathematicians and engineers to develop future leading-edge systems. If you have a passion for innovation and technology, we can offer a rich variety of technical challenges and opportunities for personal development.

Chemistry and Materials Science are core capabilities at Cambridge Consultants, and we are looking for a Chemist/Materials Scientist who can apply their skills to a wide range of engineering challenges and are excited by the prospect of being at the forefront of bringing skills from chemistry and materials to product developments.

Examples of recent work undertaken include:

• Research and design for liquid nitrogen repelling ultra-low energy surfaces for superconductor cooling in next-generation subsea energy transmission systems.
• Design, simulation and testing of ultrasonic transducers for novel sensing systems in extreme environments.
• Experimental design and execution to support development of microwave systems, including industrial drying processes and determination of dielectric properties of molten rocks at GHz frequencies.
• Techno-commercial due diligence services for a global investment fund to support their expansion into NextGen energy transition and sustainability infrastructure, including battery technologies, mineral extraction, high value recycling and hydrogen production.
• Analysis and prototyping to address complex chemistry and materials challenges for medical products, such as inkjet printing onto microneedle arrays and in-situ modification of material properties using a femtosecond laser.

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing and executing experimental programmes to investigate complex chemistry and materials science challenges.
• Applying scientific knowledge to support the development of cutting-edge technologies across sectors including energy, healthcare, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
• Planning, conducting and interpreting laboratory testing, analysis and characterisation activities.
• Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists and commercial teams to translate technical findings into practical engineering solutions.
• Use modelling, simulation and analytical techniques to inform product and system design decisions.
• Researching unfamiliar technical areas, rapidly assimilating new information to solve novel and multidisciplinary problems.
• Communicating complex technical concepts and results clearly to colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Contributing to the delivery of consultancy projects, helping clients make informed technical and commercial decisions.
• Supporting innovation from concept generation through to prototype development, testing and validation.

What you need to succeed:

• An excellent first degree and/or PhD in chemistry, materials science, or a closely related discipline.
• A broad understanding of a wide range of chemistry and materials principles, and an ability to identify their applicability to a variety of technical challenges.
• A desire to apply chemistry and materials science to real-world product developments, working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to work with engineering teams to select or model materials for specific applications.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and results clearly to colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• An enjoyment of hands-on practical science, combined with an ability to structure a technical plan appropriately to meet the wider commercial objectives of a project.

What we offer:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy 10 more a year)
• Company bonus (profit share)
• Flexible working patterns and hybrid working
• Medical insurance and group income protection
• Employee assistance programme and mental health support group
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
• Sabbatical leave
• Travel insurance (business and leisure)
• Generous company pension plan
• Personalised career development and training plans
• Free breakfast and two-course lunch in the office every day
• Free onsite parking and we are close to public transport links
• A variety of events organised by our social committee, ranging from summer and Christmas parties to board game nights and socials at our own rooftop bar!

Why Cambridge Consultants?

At Cambridge Consultants, you’ll contribute to radical, new-to-the-world innovation that transforms business, society and the planet. Joining our multidisciplinary teams means helping to turn bold ideas into reality, harnessing the power of deep tech to create products, services and experiences that have never existed before. Whether you’re advancing technologies, shaping strategy, supporting operations or driving commercial growth, it’s an opportunity to make a real impact and help create the future.

By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied.