Senior Chemist

JR United Kingdom; Bedford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth start-up in Bedford is seeking a Senior Chemist to lead the development of innovative carbon materials. This key role focuses on optimizing carbon processing methods and ensuring compliance with safety standards, while also mentoring junior staff. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in Chemistry, including hands-on experience with essential characterisation techniques, and demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline.
• Proven experience with carbon materials in research or industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience with characterisation techniques like BET, XRD, and SEM.

Responsibilities

• Develop pathways to convert base carbon material into high-value forms.
• Characterise carbon materials using analytical techniques.
• Supervise and mentor a junior chemist.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Chemistry

Laboratory Safety

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Materials Science

Tools

BET

XRD

SEM

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment

Location:

bedford, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

4

Posted:

07.06.2025

Expiry Date:

22.07.2025

Job Description:

Cranleigh STEM is proud to partner with a high-growth start-up developing breakthrough technology to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.

As part of its growth, the team is seeking a Senior Chemist to lead the development of high-value carbon materials derived from its proprietary process. This is a key technical role offering the opportunity to shape product applications, influence process design, and contribute to scale-up efforts for a technology with major climate impact.

• Develop pathways to convert base carbon material into high-value forms (e.g., activated carbon, hard carbon).
• Evaluate upgraded carbon products for application in targeted markets, such as energy storage or filtration.
• Characterise carbon materials using analytical techniques including BET, XRD, SEM, and others.
• Optimise carbon processing methods to maximise product quality while minimising energy and resource use.
• Collaborate with process engineers and product development teams to integrate material innovations into production.
• Contribute to scale-up activities, progressing from lab-scale (grams) to pilot and commercial quantities (kilograms to tonnes).
• Design purification and separation processes for carbon materials.
• Ensure all laboratory activities meet safety, risk assessment, and COSHH standards.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship to one junior chemist.
• Degree qualified (ideally to PhD level) in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience gained in a research or industrial environment focused on carbon materials or related fields.
• Deep understanding of carbon material characteristics and synthesis/activation routes.
• Hands-on experience with key characterisation techniques (BET, XRD, SEM, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to design and iterate experiments independently.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and best practices (risk assessments, COSHH).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-moving environment.
• Experience with catalyst development or microwave-assisted chemistry.
• Prior involvement in early-stage or scale-up ventures.
• Familiarity with carbon applications in filtration, batteries, or adsorbents.