Principal Scientist - Polymer Chemistry

SRG; Sedgefield; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CPI, based at NETPark in Sedgefield, is seeking a Principal Scientist in Polymer Chemistry to lead advanced polymer research, development and scale-up initiatives. The role involves directing multi-year programmes, developing novel polymer synthesis routes and processing technologies, and shaping CPI's capability in sustainable polymers and advanced manufacturing.

You will mentor teams, engage with customers and partners, and contribute to strategy for polymer technology and future manufacturing

Qualifications

• Significant industrial experience in Polymer Chemistry.
• Advanced degree in Chemistry or related field.
• Experience scaling polymerisation from lab to pilot scale.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across CPI projects and programmes.
• Lead R&D and scale-up activities from concept to pilot-scale delivery.
• Develop novel polymer synthesis routes and processing technologies.
• Engage with Business Development to secure commercial and collaborative projects.
• Mentor scientists and build capability in polymer chemistry and materials science.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Polymer synthesis

Polymer process development

Pilot-scale experience

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Master's degree in Chemistry/Polymer Science/Materials Science

Tools

Pilot-scale reactors

Polymer manufacturing equipment

Job description

Principal Scientist - Polymer Chemistry

Sedgefield | Permanent | £49,045 - £65,045

About the Role

CPI is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist - Polymer Chemistry to join our established Nanomaterials & Composites Team within the Advanced Materials & Devices technology centre at NETPark, Sedgefield. This is a senior technical leadership role within one of CPI's largest and fastest-growing materials science groups.

The team delivers a broad portfolio of commercial and collaborative R&D projects across sustainable polymers, advanced coatings, nanomaterials, composites, battery materials, and future manufacturing technologies. Due to continued growth and major long-term programmes, CPI is looking to strengthen its expertise in polymer chemistry and scale-up.

A significant part of this role will involve supporting the development of next-generation polymer technologies, including projects focused on advanced fibre and materials manufacturing. We're particularly interested in candidates who combine deep polymer chemistry expertise with practical experience of scaling polymerisation processes from laboratory development through to pilot-scale operation.

This role offers the opportunity to lead high-profile, multi-year programmes while helping shape CPI's future capability within polymer chemistry and advanced materials.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Technical Leadership & Project Delivery

• Act as a recognised technical expert in polymer chemistry across CPI projects and programmes.
• Lead complex research, development, and scale-up activities from concept through to pilot-scale delivery.
• Provide technical leadership across projects ranging from short proof-of-concept studies through to multi-year strategic programmes.

Polymer Synthesis & Process Development

• Lead the development of novel polymer synthesis routes and polymer processing technologies.
• Design, execute, and oversee laboratory and pilot-scale polymerisation programmes.
• Support development and operation of pilot-scale reactors and polymer manufacturing equipment.
• Optimise polymer synthesis, reaction conditions, scaling strategies, and process performance.

Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Identify emerging scientific developments and future market opportunities.
• Translate technical trends into new capabilities, projects, and innovation programmes.
• Support the development of CPI's materials science and polymer technology strategy.
• Contribute to capability building within polymer chemistry, sustainable materials, and advanced manufacturing.

Customer Engagement & Business Development

• Work closely with Business Development and Bid Development teams to secure new commercial and collaborative projects.
• Contribute technical expertise to funding proposals, bids, and customer discussions.
• Act as a credible technical representative for CPI with customers, partners, and external stakeholders.

Mentoring & Capability Development

• Coach and mentor scientists and engineers across the organisation.
• Support knowledge sharing and development of technical excellence.
• Help shape future capability within polymer chemistry and materials science.
• Contribute to building a high-performing and collaborative technical culture.

About You

You are an experienced Polymer Chemist with deep technical expertise, industrial experience, and the ability to lead complex technical projects.

You'll bring:

• Significant industrial experience in Polymer Chemistry.
• A degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent experience in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong expertise in polymer synthesis and polymer process development.
• Experience operating at pilot scale and scaling processes into tens-of-litre reactor environments.

Particularly Relevant Experience

• Step-growth polymerisation (highly desirable)
• Radical polymerisation
• Pilot-scale or industrial-scale polymer synthesis
• Polymer process development
• Structure-property relationships
• Solution polymerisation
• Dispersed-phase polymerisation
• Reactor-based polymer manufacturing
• Scale-up and commercialisation of polymer technologies

Desirable Experience

• Carbon fibre precursor development or related technologies
• Coatings, paints, adhesives, or composite materials
• Sustainable polymers and circular materials
• Advanced materials manufacturing
• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution

Why Join CPI?

Join one of CPI's largest and most established materials science teams.

Play a leading role in major long-term advanced materials programmes.

Work across sustainable materials, polymers, batteries, nanomaterials, and future manufacturing technologies.

The Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior polymer scientist looking to combine scientific excellence, pilot-scale development, technical leadership, and strategic influence. You'll help deliver nationally significant materials programmes while shaping the future of polymer chemistry capability at CPI and supporting the development of next-generation advanced materials technologies.