Optical Materials Scientist

QinetiQ; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the security field is seeking an Optical Materials Scientist based in Farnborough to develop innovative materials for advanced optical technologies. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment, contributing to research that enhances surveillance systems, while enjoying a hybrid work pattern.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Health Cash Plan and Private Medical Insurance

Employee discount portal

Holiday Trading for additional leave

Support for Armed Forces community

Volunteering programme

Qualifications

• Understanding of electromagnetic interactions with materials.
• Experience with industrial laboratory test equipment.
• Degree in Chemistry or Materials Science is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel electro-optic technologies.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and trials.
• Lead technical tasks relating to measurements and materials.

Skills

Understanding of materials and electromagnetic radiation

Proficient in spectrometers

Experience in coating formulation

Knowledge of scientific programming (Matlab)

Education

Degree in Chemistry or Materials Science

Job description

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Optical Materials Scientist, Farnborough

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Client:

QinetiQ

Location:

Farnborough, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

3762d90e989a

Job Views:

9

Posted:

18.06.2025

Expiry Date:

02.08.2025

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Job Description:

The Role

As an Optical Materials Scientist, you’ll have a role that is out of the ordinary. You’ll be designing and developing novel and innovative electro-optic technologies, informed by hands-on materials research and experimentation. The technologies will control how light and infrared radiation interact with surfaces and give rise to new phenomena.

Day-to-day, you’ll support QinetiQ’s mission to enhance safety and security by contributing to developing advanced optical materials, which will lead to better surveillance systems and sensors that help protect people and infrastructure. You’ll be part of a dynamic team in a multidisciplinary research environment of Engineers, Physicists, Vision Scientists and Chemists. You will provide scientific expertise and be responsible for the design, execution and delivery of complex and innovative research programmes in the area of materials, measurements and devices. You will be actively involved in developing bespoke solutions for novel applications across QinetiQ’s Applied Sciences capability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to and leading technical tasks relating to materials, devices and measurements
• Conducting materials prototyping by designing, modelling, synthesising, formulating, applying and characterising novel materials and coatings
• Preparing, designing and participating in laboratory experiments and outdoor trials
• Providing advice and consultancy for internal and external programmes and bids
• Be accountable for managing your own time and technical progress to meet agreed goals and deadlines
• Maintaining detailed technical reports and logs

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Farnborough site.

Hybrid working patterns are available.

Essential experience of the Optical Materials Scientist:

• Good understanding of interactions between materials and electromagnetic radiation
• Proficient in using spectrometers and other laboratory test equipment including Spectrometers, Imagers and Thermal Analysis (Eg. DSC/TGA)
• Experience in formulating coatings, inks and dyes
• Knowledge of scientific programming languages such as Matlab

Essential qualifications for the Optical Materials Scientist:

• Degree qualification in Chemistry or Materials Science (MSci, MChem or PhD is beneficial)

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows most employees to buy up to 5 days’ additional leave.
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Payroll Giving and Volunteering - helping charities and local community.
• Our volunteering programme enables our people to use their professional skills to make a positive difference in our local communities, for example STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador days in schools. We support a number of charities that are important to our people, including those which help the defence community.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.