Senior Chemist

JR United Kingdom; Colchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth start-up is seeking a Senior Chemist to develop advanced carbon materials from fossil fuel alternatives. This role offers the chance to influence innovative processes and contribute to impactful climate solutions while mentoring junior team members in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related.
• Proven experience in carbon materials or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with characterisation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop pathways to convert carbon material into high-value forms.
• Evaluate upgraded carbon products for targeted markets.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate innovations into production.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Degree in Materials Science

Tools

BET

XRD

SEM

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment

Location:

colchester, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Views:

4

Posted:

07.06.2025

Expiry Date:

22.07.2025

col-wide

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 practice (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.