Senior Chemist

JR United Kingdom; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth start-up seeks a Senior Chemist in Sheffield to lead the development of innovative carbon materials aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependence. This key position involves optimizing processing methods and collaborating with engineers, offering significant influence over product applications and technology scale-up.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified, preferably to PhD level.
• Proven experience in carbon materials research.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively.

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

Analytical techniques

Communication

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline

Tools

BET

XRD

SEM

Job description

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Senior Chemist, sheffield, south yorkshire

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Client:

Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment

Location:

sheffield, south yorkshire, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

4

Posted:

07.06.2025

Expiry Date:

22.07.2025

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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.