Junior Scientist

ONE NUCLEUS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A materials technology company seeks a Junior Scientist to join their Applications team at the Cambridge HQ. The role focuses on supporting customer applications through experimental testing, data analysis, and the development of new formulation methods, emphasizing sustainability in packaging technology.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Buy and sell holiday scheme

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Social events calendar

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field required.
• Experience in a lab setting essential.
• Knowledge of coatings and barrier testing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support production and testing of coatings and films applications.
• Organize and analyze experimental data.
• Prepare technical documents and maintain lab safety.

Skills

Project management

Data presentation

Experimental planning

Sustainability interest

Self-starter attitude

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry, Material Science, or packaging

Job description

Job Title: Junior Scientist – Applications Team
Reports to: Applications Manager
Job location: Xampla HQ, Cambridge Science Park (on-site)

Introduction to Xampla
Xampla is a groundbreaking materials technology company unlocking the power of natural plant polymers for a range of industries and applications, from plastic-free alternatives in packaging to high-performance encapsulation.

Stemmed from 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, Xampla is the UK’s first university spin-out to be award B Corp status, highlighting our care for people and planet. Our team of global experts are committed to make the world a better place with cutting-edge scientific and industry knowledge.

Inspired by nature, powered by innovation, and led by world-class science, Xampla is scaling the next generation of materials to revolutionise the way we all live.

Our Culture
The Xampla team is a vibrant network of great innovators, sustainability enthusiasts, passionate professionals, and forward-thinkers. Our diverse and inclusive environment helps the team to grow, learn, and truly make a difference to our world. United together, our team of global experts is committed to bring our cutting-edge technology to market and revolutionise the way we all live.

Our Values

Xampla Invents
Innovation is at our core, and high quality research is in our roots. We approach every task and challenge with an entrepreneurial spirit. We relentlessly question the status quo and seek to better what has gone before. We see failure as the foundation of invention and the catalyst to success.

Xampla Collaborates
We work together as a team and with our partners to get results and change the world. We innovate together in a culture of support, never of blame. We ask ‘how can I help’ not ‘why isn’t this done?’ We recognise our differing strengths and know that none of us is as good as all of us.

Xampla Excels
We hold ourselves and each other to high standards, striving for excellence in all that we do. We are ambitious for the company and for our customers, delivering beyond expectations today and thinking big about tomorrow.

Xampla Cares
We care about each other and our planet. We value all our colleagues for their diversity of backgrounds, experience and perspectives. We regard individual health and wellbeing as the foundation of our collective success.

The Role
The company is seeking a Junior Scientist to join the team, with the role of:
• Supporting the Applications team in the production, preparation and testing of customer samples for coatings and films applications
• Contributing to the reporting of results back to customers and other stakeholders
• Assisting in the development, characterisation and validation of new formulations for coatings and films (relevant properties being barrier properties: to water, grease etc and mechanical properties: seal-ability, tensile strength, toughness etc.)
• Collecting, organising and analysing experimental data. Preparing and presenting findings to the Applications Manager and wider technical team. Ensuring proper documentation and traceability using internal systems
• Assisting in the preparation, packing and dispatch of customer samples in coordination with the Applications Manager
• Developing new tests methods to improve our internal capabilities
• Contributing to writing technical documents such as procedures, risk assessments etc.
• Assisting the Lab Manager in keeping the Lab in a safe and efficient order, with basic equipment maintenance performed where appropriate
• Occasionally supporting ad hoc activities within the wider R&D group

The Team
The Applications team, part of the wider R&D group, bridges the gap between Research, Innovation & Product Development and the Business Development team.

The team works on a variety of applications with a particular focus of this role being on the development and application of Xampla’s proprietary plant-based coating technology for the packaging industry.

Candidate Experience
The company is seeking candidates with:
• A master’s degree in a discipline relating to Chemistry, Material Science, or packaging (or equivalent in skills and experience)
• Experience in a lab setting (must have) with proven capacity to plan and execute experiments safely and maintain a clean and tidy space in the lab
• Familiarity with paper technology, coatings technology, heat sealing, barrier testing (desired but not essential)
• Proven track-record of following procedures, documenting experiments, notetaking and report writing
• Ability to present data to technical and non-technical audiences
• Project management skills
• Strong interest in sustainability, plant-based materials and other plastic-free technologies
• An interest in biomaterials, packaging, paper and boards, coatings with some knowledge in these fields
• A taste for applied R&D and commercial products
• An enthusiasm for Xampla’s mission of addressing plastic pollution, and an interest in sustainability
• The right fit for a small, science-led, innovative team and a high level of autonomy, creativity and independence
• An individual with a can-do attitude who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starter who is proactive and takes the initiative

Benefits
At Xampla, we care about the planet and our people, that’s why we offer a comprehensive compensation package with a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance, including:
• £32,000 per annum
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (UK)
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• EMI options
• Private medical insurance including dental and optical
• Salary sacrifice pension (5% employer and 5% employee minimum contribution)
• 4 x salary life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme with dedicated counselling services
• Wellbeing and social events calendar
• Cycle to work scheme

Are you looking for a career that has an impact on the world? We’re always looking for new talent to help us achieve our goals, so if innovation and drive is part of your DNA too, join our ambitious team.

As an equal opportunities employer, Xampla is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to join our team.

We commit to making reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled applicants are not disadvantaged in the recruitment process and are happy to discuss any adjustments that may be required to enable applicants to demonstrate their skills and experience. Please contact Faye Haddadi, Head of HR on [e-mail] to discuss your individual needs, or indicate your needs in your application.

Application Instructions:

Please send a copy of your CV, and a cover letter to Faye Haddadi, Head of HR on [e-mail] .