Principal Materials Scientist - biotech

ZipRecruiter; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking biotechnology company in London is seeking a Principal Material Development Scientist to lead the development of next-bio-composite materials. You will drive R&D projects, optimize formulations, and ensure materials meet regulatory standards. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a relevant field and has expertise in advanced materials development. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Progression and development opportunities

Qualifications

• PhD / EngD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Strong expertise in advanced materials development, ideally with bio-based or composite materials.
• Excellent understanding of structure-property-process relationships in composite systems.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, lead, and manage R&D projects for bio-composite materials.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments using statistical DoE methodologies.
• Collaborate with process engineers for scale-up manufacturing.

Skills

Advanced materials development

Leadership

Collaboration

Data analysis

Education

PhD / EngD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

Thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TGA)

Mechanical testing methods

Job description

Your new company

You will be joining a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of regenerative biotechnology. With a mission to develop sustainable, high-performance materials, the company is pioneering innovations in bio-composites for the built environment. You will be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven team, working in a dynamic environment that blends scientific rigour with environmental impact.

Your new role

As Principal Material Development Scientist, you will lead the research and development of next-bio-composite materials, using organisms including mycelium. You will drive material formulation, performance optimisation, and support scale-up and regulatory compliance. This role combines hands-on experimentation with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable materials.

This is a permanent position based in London.

Main Responsibilities

Material R&D Leadership:

• Conceive, lead, and manage R&D projects focused on the development of bio-composite materials.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments using high-throughput and statistical Design of Experiment (DoE) methodologies.

Material Characterisation & Optimisation:

• Analyse materials using thermal, structural, mechanical, and chemical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, SEM, FTIR, tensile testing).
• Optimise formulations to meet performance, safety, and sustainability targets.

Scale-Up & Process Integration:

• Collaborate with process engineers to transition materials from lab-scale to pilot and production-scale manufacturing.
• Ensure scalability and reproducibility of material properties.

Compliance & Sustainability:

• Partner with regulatory and sustainability teams to ensure materials meet building codes, safety standards, and lifecycle goals.
• Support documentation and protection of intellectual property related to formulations and processes.

Team Development & External Engagement:

• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building a high-performing materials team.
• Engage with external research partners, suppliers, and industry experts to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• Conduct critical analysis of experimental data and communicate findings effectively across teams.

What you\'ll need to succeed

• PhD / EngD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent experience
• Strong expertise in advanced materials development, ideally with bio-based or composite materials.
• Excellent understanding of structure-property-process relationships in composite systems.
• Proficiency in high-throughput experimentation and statistical DoE approaches.
• Passion for sustainability, innovation, and solving complex material challenges.
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.

What you\'ll get in return

You\'ll have the chance to work within a close-knit, experienced team and make a real difference within a company that\'s looking to transform the sector and have a far-reaching impact on the global scale. You\'ll also get a number of progression and development opportunities and a good salary and benefits package.

What you need to do now

If you are interested in this role, please click \'apply now\' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If this job isn\'t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, feel free to reach out to us for guidance on your next career move.