Development Chemist - Team Leader

Vixo AB; Burnley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water quality instrumentation company in Burnley is seeking a Development Chemist Team Leader to develop new sensor technologies and lead a team of qualified chemists. This role requires a PhD in Chemistry, industrial experience, and strong leadership skills. The ideal candidate will oversee project activities and ensure adherence to safety standards while contributing to innovative product development. The position offers a base salary between £32,000 - £45,000 with additional benefits, fostering professional growth in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Annual company performance-related bonus

Ongoing training and professional development

Company uniform

Group life scheme (4× salary)

Annual team bonding and social events

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
• Industrial experience (ideally two years or more).
• Strong people skills and a desire to develop into management.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development of new sensor technologies.
• Guide and support a team of qualified chemists.
• Oversee safe working practices and ISO 45001 adherence.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving ability

Strong people skills

Education

PhD in Chemistry or equivalent

Job description

Burnley, Lancashire

About Us

Process Instruments is a double Queens Award-winning market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative, high-quality water quality instrumentation. We are proud of our strong growth, development track record, and the values-driven culture that underpins everything we do.

We are now looking for a Development Chemist Team Leader to join our team on a permanent basis, working 35 hours per week, 8:30am to 4:30pm. This is the ideal opportunity for a PhD-qualified chemist with industrial experience to step into a leadership role within our award-winning, innovation-focused organisation, with a clear progression route to a Director Role.

The Benefits

• Salary of £32,000 - £45,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Annual company performance-related bonus
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Company uniform
• Group life scheme (4× salary)
• Annual team bonding and social events
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking

We are focused on investing in our people, encouraging scientific curiosity, and supporting professional development, so we give you the platform to advance your expertise and influence trailblazing product development.

You're gaining exposure to exciting projects and products and supporting the next evolution of our success story.

So, if you’re ready to grow your leadership skills and contribute to an organisation shaping the future of water quality instrumentation, read on and apply today.

The Role

As our Development Chemist Team Leader, you’ll drive the development of new sensor technologies, creating innovative, reliable and high-performing solutions. Specifically, you’ll guide and support a team of qualified chemists, design experiments and translate findings into insights that support our product development. Managing project activity, you’ll oversee safe working practices, ensure all processes adhere to ISO 45001 requirements and produce monthly technical progress reports for the Board.

About You

• A PhD in Chemistry or equivalent qualification
• Industrial experience (ideally two years or more)
• Strong people skills and a desire to develop into management
• An analytical mindset and excellent problem‑solving ability
• Drive and energy
• Resilience, determination and a proactive, practical attitude

Other organisations may call this role Senior Development Chemist, R&D Chemist, Research Chemist, Laboratory Team Leader, or Chemical Development Lead.

Process Instruments is an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.