Principal Scientist - Concrete, Cement & Carbon Utilisation

Concrete4Change Ltd; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering technology firm in Nottingham seeks a Senior Research Lead / Construction Materials Specialist to drive innovation in carbon capture and construction materials. The role involves leading technology development, managing experiments, and mentoring a team. A PhD and over 10 years of industrial experience are essential. Benefits include private health insurance and a competitive performance-based bonus.

Benefits

Private health insurance

Government-backed pension scheme

Performance-based bonus

Share options

Regular team meals

Qualifications

• PhD required in relevant field.
• 10+ years' industrial experience in construction materials.
• Experience in laboratory setup and equipment procurement.
• Deep understanding of cement and concrete chemistry.
• Experience in carbon capture technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new technologies in CO adsorption.
• Design and manage construction materials experiments.
• Procure and commission testing infrastructure.
• Mentor team in evaluating CCU techniques.
• Bridge research outputs with practical applications.

Skills

Cement chemistry

Carbon capture

Materials performance

Independent research

Team leadership

Education

PhD in Construction Materials Science, Civil Engineering, or Chemistry

Tools

HSE compliance knowledge

Job description

About C4C

Concrete4Change (C4C) is a pioneering company developing breakthrough technology to capture and permanently mineralise CO in concrete. Our patented additive reduces emissions while improving strength and durability, offering a scalable solution for one of the world's most polluting industries.

Having recently scaled our production process 100×, we are constructing a pilot plant in Nottingham that will run on real flue gas. Data from this system will directly inform the design of a commercial demonstrator 100× larger. C4C is backed by major industrial players (SCG, Goldbeck), partners with leading universities, and works with top European concrete manufacturers. This is a pivotal moment to join C4C as we scale from lab to industry.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Lead / Construction Materials Specialist to drive innovation at the intersection of cement chemistry, carbon capture, and materials performance. In this role, you will:

At C4C, we want people who apply their science with entrepreneurial purpose and help us build a sustainable world.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new technology areas leveraging C4C's capabilities in CO adsorption and mineralisation.
• Design, plan, and manage a state‑of‑the‑art construction materials experiment, ensuring full compliance with HSE regulations.
• Specify, procure, and commission equipment and testing infrastructure for advanced cement and concrete R&D.
• Lead and mentor a team of civil engineers and scientists to evaluate CCU techniques and their impact on concrete performance and durability.
• Contribute to scaling and industrial integration, bridging research outputs with application.

Qualifications

• PhD in Construction Materials Science, Civil Engineering, or Chemistry.
• 10+ years of industrial experience leading independent research in cement, concrete, or construction materials industry.
• Experience in laboratory setup, HSE requirements, and equipment specification and procurement.
• Deep understanding of cement and concrete characterisation, hydration, speciation, and relevant standards.
• Demonstrated experience in carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

Benefits

• Private health insurance and a health care cash plan (dental, optical, prescription support).
• Government‑backed pension scheme.
• Competitive performance‑based bonus linked to key milestones.
• Share options.
• Regular team meals and social events.