Senior Development Scientist - Environmental & Heavy Metal Sensing

Integrated Graphene; Stirling; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Group life insurance

Income protection

Mental wellbeing resources

Training and development

Flexible working hours

Visa sponsorship

Relocation package

Job summary

Integrated Graphene seeks a Senior Development Scientist to lead electrochemical sensing projects for environmental and heavy‑metal detection. You will own work packages, drive strategy, and influence timelines toward product development.

The role emphasizes evidence‑based decisions, collaboration with cross‑functional teams, and transfer of sensor technologies from concept to scalable products in a fast‑growing R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced education (PhD or specialist Master’s) or relevant industry experience plus core knowledge of electrochemistry principles.
• Proven hands-on experience with electrochemical environmental and heavy-metal detection.
• Significant experience contributing to R&D projects involving electrochemical sensor development and validation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D and Engineering on sensor development and validation.
• Define sensor performance requirements with stakeholders to align with product needs.
• Develop novel methodologies and process optimisation for environmental sensing.
• Design and execute verification experiments to assess sensor robustness and reproducibility.
• Prepare technical documentation including SOPs and reports.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Sensor development

Environmental sensing

Heavy metal detection

Data analysis

Education

PhD or specialist Master’s in relevant field

Advanced degree in chemistry/engineering

Tools

ASV

SWV

DPV

CV

LSV

Job description

iGii has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Development Scientist with deep expertise in electrochemical environmental and heavy metal sensing to join our rapidly expanding R&D department.

This role offers the chance to work in a high‑growth environment with a fast‑paced, collaborative culture where you will collaborate with customers conducting cutting‑edge research.

In this role, the Senior Development Scientist will own defined technical work packages and sensor development streams, from feasibility and proof‑of‑concept through to validation, scale‑up readiness and transfer into product development. The successful candidate will set experimental strategy, make evidence‑based technical decisions and influence project direction, timelines and priorities in alignment with the company’s innovation roadmap and commercial goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate and innovate with colleagues in R&D and Engineering on the development of products and processes for several applications, focusing on real‑world viable solutions using established industry methods and materials.
• Define sensor performance requirements and acceptance criteria in collaboration with engineering, product, quality and commercial stakeholders, ensuring laboratory development is aligned with product needs and customer use cases.
• Develop novel methodologies and process optimisation routes relevant to environmental and heavy‑metal sensing.
• Performance assessment and benchmarking against SPEs and Au electrodes.
• Design and execute verification and validation experiments to assess sensor robustness, manufacturability, stability, reproducibility and suitability for field‑relevant environmental applications.
• Preparation and optimisation of buffer solutions suitable for environmental and heavy‑metal sensing.
• Run accumulation and stripping experiments using appropriate electrochemical techniques with optimised parameters.
• Detect environmental and heavy‑metal ions using Gii electrodes from ppm to ppb range.
• Evaluate matrix effects, interference from competing ions and other environmental variables, and develop mitigation strategies to improve selectivity and reliability in real‑world samples.
• Maintain rigorous experiment and data management practices to ensure credible, defensible results that drive product development from concept to scale‑up.
• Prepare high‑quality technical documentation including standard operating procedures and reports.
• Stay up to date with current trends in environmental and heavy‑metal sensing through routine literature review.
• Provide technical leadership by coaching junior colleagues, reviewing data quality, setting best practice in electrochemical testing and presenting clear recommendations to project leads and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Advanced education (PhD or specialist Master’s) or relevant industry experience plus core knowledge of electrochemistry principles.
• Proven hands‑on experience with electrochemical environmental and heavy‑metal detection.
• Significant experience contributing to R&D projects involving:
  • Application and evaluation of electrochemical techniques within a sensor development environment using low‑concentration analytes.
  • Developing sensors/nanotechnology for environmental and heavy‑metal detection.
  • Innovation and problem‑solving in experimental design and execution.
• Development of electrochemical sensing technologies from early feasibility through to robust, reproducible performance in real‑world environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of voltametric techniques such as ASV, SWV, DPV, CV, LSV.
• Experience defining and assessing analytical performance criteria including limit of detection, limit of quantification, sensitivity, selectivity, linear range, calibration strategy, repeatability, reproducibility, stability, interference effects and matrix effects.
• Track record of translating research into commercially viable products or solutions and delivering projects that meet commercial and regulatory requirements.
• Experience translating design inputs, performance requirements and acceptance criteria into practical experimental plans that support product verification, validation and commercialisation.
• Strong ability to design, execute and interpret complex experiments with a rigorous and methodical approach.
• Strong capability in design of experiments, statistical analysis, quantitative data interpretation, uncertainty assessment and clear traceability of experimental decisions.
• Solid understanding of GLP and standard laboratory techniques and practices, and experience working within a regulatory environment.
• Experience working within a quality‑managed environment such as ISO 9001 or equivalent, including robust documentation, change control, risk assessment, auditable laboratory records and health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and contribute to internal reviews or external collaboration, including product management, engineering, manufacturing/process development, quality, regulatory, commercial teams, customers and external partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional development and scientific curiosity.

Desirable Experience

• Prior experience in electroplating or electrodeposition.
• Familiarity with scaling up processes from laboratory to pilot scale, including commercialisation support.
• Experience assessing sensor performance in complex real‑world matrices such as water, wastewater, soil extracts, industrial effluents or field‑relevant samples, including sample preparation or pre‑treatment.
• Experience benchmarking electrochemical sensor performance against reference analytical methods such as ICP‑MS, ICP‑OES or AAS.
• Awareness of IP generation and protection processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects or mentor junior scientists in an industrial setting.
• Experience coaching junior scientists, reviewing experimental plans and data, setting laboratory best practice, contributing to capability-building and presenting technical recommendations to senior stakeholders.

What We Offer

• Full‑time position with 37.5 hours per week onsite at our facility in Euro House, Stirling.
• Competitive salary and 33 days of annual leave (including statutory holidays).
• Private medical insurance.
• Group life insurance.
• Income protection.
• Access to mental wellbeing resources and support, including up to six coaching or counselling sessions per year.
• Training and development opportunities to help grow your career.
• Flexible working schedule around core hours (09:30 am – 04:00 pm) to support work‑life balance.
• Visa sponsorship and relocation package available where needed.

Location

Stirling, Scotland – a city with rich historical significance and easy access to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Highlands via public transport.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. Visa sponsorship is available, and we can provide a relocation package where needed.