Organic Synthetic Chemist

Cranleigh Stem & Sustainability Recruitment; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced pension

Private healthcare

Income protection

Life assurance

Professional development support

Job summary

Cranleigh Stem & Sustainability Recruitment is seeking a skilled chemist to join an ambitious advanced materials company developing surface-treatment and coating technologies. You will contribute to development, optimisation and scale-up of novel chemistry from concept to commercial application, within a dynamic R&D team.

The role requires hands-on experience in organic synthesis or wet chemistry, with strong analytical skills and meticulous recording of experimental data.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Wet chemistry

Analytical techniques

Attention to detail

Technical reporting

Collaboration

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Analytical instruments

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.