Organic Synthetic Chemist

Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability Recruitment; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Private healthcare

Pension

Income protection

Life assurance

Professional development

Job summary

Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability Recruitment is seeking a dedicated R&D Chemist in Oxford to join a rapidly growing advanced materials business focusing on surface-treatment and coating technologies. You’ll contribute to development, optimisation and scale-up from concept to commercial application.

The role requires MSc or PhD in Chemistry, with strong experience in organic synthesis or wet chemistry, plus proficiency in chemical analysis.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemistry or closely related discipline.
• Strong practical experience in organic synthesis or wet chemistry.
• Confident using chemical analysis and characterisation techniques.
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to experimental work.
• Able to manage workflows while collaborating with colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail, organisation and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory-based R&D supporting new and existing product development.
• Design and develop synthetic routes for surface-treatment chemistries.
• Carry out synthesis, isolation, purification and characterisation.
• Optimize reactions to improve yield, selectivity, reproducibility and scalability.
• Interpret experimental data, troubleshoot challenges and recommend next steps.
• Produce technical reports, technology-transfer documents and SOPs.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and high laboratory standards.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Wet chemistry

Chemical analysis

Technical reporting

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemistry

Job description

We are supporting a rapidly growing advanced materials business developing innovative surface-treatment and coating technologies for applications including filtration, purification and bioprocessing.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic R&D team and contribute to the development, optimisation and scale-up of novel chemistry from initial concept through to commercial application.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct practical, laboratory-based R&D supporting new and existing product development.
• Design and develop synthetic routes for novel surface-treatment chemistries.
• Carry out synthesis, isolation, purification and characterisation.
• Optimise reactions to improve yield, selectivity, reproducibility and scalability.
• Interpret experimental data, troubleshoot technical challenges and recommend next steps.
• Produce technical reports, technology-transfer documents and SOPs.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and high laboratory standards.

About you:

• MSc or PhD in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Strong practical experience in organic synthesis and/or wet chemistry.
• Confident using chemical analysis and characterisation techniques.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to experimental work.
• Able to manage individual workstreams while collaborating effectively with colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail, organisation and technical reporting skills.

Experience in materials or polymer chemistry, process scale-up, clean technology or successfully bringing a new product to market would be advantageous.

Benefits include 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, an enhanced pension, private healthcare, income protection, life assurance and professional development support.