Senior Development Scientist - Advanced Materials

Integrated Graphene; Stirling; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior Development Scientist to lead the charge in advanced materials development. This role involves driving the creation of groundbreaking technologies and applications for cutting-edge materials. Collaborating with a dynamic team, you will engage in experimental design, data analysis, and project management to deliver impactful results. Join a vibrant, mission-driven company that values creativity and collaboration, offering a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Be part of a team that is shaping the future of materials science and making a positive impact across various industries.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Life insurance

Income protection

Training opportunities

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Expertise in advanced materials and carbon nanomaterials with no less than 2 years of experience.
• Strong project management skills and experience in new product development.
• Hands-on laboratory skills with a commitment to Good Laboratory Practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine processes for advanced materials.
• Characterise and test materials using advanced techniques.
• Manage complex projects and collaborate across departments.

Skills

Carbon nanomaterials

Advanced materials characterisation

Project management

Data analysis

Electrochemical testing

Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)

Statistical analysis

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemistry

Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science

Master’s or Ph.D. in Physical Sciences

Master’s or Ph.D. in Engineering

Tools

Raman Spectroscopy

SEM

XPS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Senior Development Scientist - Advanced Materials

iGii have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Development Scientist to join the Advanced Materials team. This multi-disciplinary team are comprised of 4 experienced scientists and engineers who work across the entire R&D remit and beyond. If you want to get up close with Gii, this is the role for you.

Purpose

The Senior Development Scientist will play a pivotal role in driving the development of new Gii technologies and identifying innovative applications for Gii across various industries. Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, the Senior Development Scientist will focus on advancing our core technology and contributing to the long-term technical strategy of the organisation.

What you will do

Advanced materials development

• Develop new processes, or refine existing ones to optimise materials development and create new forms of Gii
• Effectively manage complex projects, collaborating with other departments across the company to ensure strategic goals are met within the desired project parameters
• Be a subject matter expert in advanced materials, keeping up to date with recent developments and literature in the field to generate new ideas and aid the evaluation of materials
• Maintain multidisciplinary appreciation of other technical and scientific processes and their implications in experimental design and drawing conclusions
  

Characterisationand testing

• Characterisation and testing of materials using advanced techniques (Raman spectroscopy, SEM, XPS and other advanced techniques), drawing technical insight in materials properties
• Responsible for the procurement, implementation and use of analytical equipment for characterisation/quality control purposes, using expertise to advise on equipment or procedure modifications

Experimental planning and execution

• Design of experiments and successful project execution including managing schedule of required equipment
• Electrochemical testing of devices to support proof-of-concept stage development and evaluation of improvements relative to standard devices
• Fabrication of devices both with standard formats and new designs including CAD design based on customer or application requirements
  

Data analysis

• Utilisation of relevant tools for data management, data analysis using both proprietary software and by developing own tools e.g., python scripts
• Application of wide materials knowledgebase and familiarity with in-house development processes to critically evaluate experimental outcomes and make recommendations
  

Technical reports

• Demonstrating strong project reporting methods in weekly technical reports, a quarterly summary report and in the generation of handover reports
• Authoring and supporting the creation and maintenance of standard working procedures (SWPs), and other technical documentation
• Highlighting, documenting and communicating critical experimental observations that could positively or negatively affect the business e.g., IP opportunities or issues affecting production
  

Other responsibilities

• Provide support to other ongoing projects within the Advanced Materials and Engineering teams
• From time to time, travel to other sites for testing, training or conferences if requested
• Ensuring IP protection (working offsite, networking, etc)
  

Who we are looking for

This role is for a subject matter expert in advanced materials

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physical Sciences, Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• OR equivalent relevant work experience

You will be able to demonstrate through industry experience (this could be as part of a spin out, early stage or mature commercially oriented organisation):

• No less than 2 years delivering projects in the following areas:
  • Carbon nanomaterials (essential)
  • New product development (essential), preferably in the following applications; sensor development (desirable)energy storage and catalysis (desirable)
  • Advanced materials characterisation and analysis (essential)
  • Surface chemistry (desirable)
    

The role relies on strong working knowledge and practical experience with advanced characterisation tools and techniques, including but not limited to:

• Raman Spectroscopy, XPS, XRD, SEM, TGA, mechanical property testing, electrochemical analysis (e.g., CV, EIS)

Alongside subject matter expertise, the following scientific skills are needed for R&D in a commercial context:

• Excellent hands-on laboratory skills with a commitment to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), accurate documentation, and health and safety standards
• Practical experience in scaling up materials or processes from laboratory to pilot or production scale, including problem-solving during scale-up
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE), method development, and optimisation techniques
• Proficient in data interpretation and statistical analysis using tools such as MATLAB, Python, R, or equivalent platforms
• Proven project management abilities with experience leading or coordinating R&D projects from concept through to execution
• Awareness of IP generation and protection processes; experience contributing to invention disclosures or patent filings is desirable
• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams, as well as independently when required and contribute to internal reviews, external collaborations, or stakeholder meetings
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to: author high-quality technical reports and documentation, present complex data clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
  
  

What we offer

This role is offered as a full-time position, working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Please talk to us about alternative working arrangements.

In addition to a competitive salary with a focus on growth and development, we offer 33 days annual leave (statutory days included), life insurance, income protection, training opportunities and flexible working hours.

We take great pride in being social and building a sense of community. We meet regularly as a Company and as teams, sharing ideas over breakfast or lunch and recognise milestones at a team and individual level.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities; this role is eligible for sponsorship in the UK, subject to meeting the UK Visa and Immigration criteria.

We are scaling up rapidly and value our culture, you will shape the company’s future innovation capabilities through your ideas and skill set. Join us now to shape your career.

Where we are

We are based in Stirling in central Scotland, a city with rich historical significance. As well as being historic, Stirling is in a great position for quick access to Edinburgh and Glasgow by public transport. It also has easy to access to the Highlands and rural Scotland.

Apply because you want to

• Work with a diverse, international team on a challenge that will positively impact the world.
• Join a mission-driven company that’s focused on delivering far better and more sustainable products
• Join a high growth company and put some big wins on your CV wherever you are in your career.
• Surround yourself with very smart, open, curious, and action-oriented people with opportunities to learn at every turn.

We have a range of customers from a variety of backgrounds, industries and locations. Therefore, we are searching for a diverse group of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do to collaborate and produce the best possible work for our consumers.

What happens next?

If this sounds like the role and company for you, apply by following the link. Interviews are expected to begin from middle of May 2025 with a desired onboarding date early Q3 2025.

If you are successfully selected for interview, this is broken down into two stages:

• Stage 1:An introductory remote discussion with the hiring managers, typically lasting forty-five minutes. An opportunity to find out more about the role and tell the team a bit about your background and experience, with the option to visually present and talk through your experience if you would like.
• Stage 2: If successful in the first stage interview, we will invite you to attend a stage two interview within our office space in Stirling. You will get to see our lab spaces and meet some more of the R&D team, followed by a short round of competency-based questioning. We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments required to the interview process, please let us know upon application any requirements.
  

We will close the application link to the role once we have received an ample talent pool full of superstar applicants. Don’t worry though, if you like the look of the role but need a little longer to perfect your application, just get in touch at;[e-mail] we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

The Company

iGii are a world-class team of technologists, scientists, engineers, product developers. We produce Gii, our pure, porous, 3D carbon nanostructure with extraordinary properties.

Gii offers a highly sensitive, sustainable material for sensors and is being used in point-of-care diagnostics. The novel properties of Gii allow it to be incorporated into devices across a range of sectors, from automotive to electronics. We’ve previously used Gii as a component in heating elements, thermocouple, electrodes and EMI shields.