Senior Materials Scientist

Notpla; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI Share Options

Zero-carbon pension scheme

Discounts with local businesses

Subsidized social activities

Job summary

A sustainable packaging innovation firm is searching for a Senior Material Scientist to drive the development of natural polymer technologies aimed at replacing plastic. The ideal candidate will possess a background in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering and demonstrate expertise in handling natural materials. Responsibilities include conducting innovative research, leading projects, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges related to sustainable packaging solutions. The role offers a vibrant work culture with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience working with biopolyesters, rubbers, and resins.
• Strong background in conducting experiments and analyzing data.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with agility.

Responsibilities

• Guide technical direction in consortium projects.
• Conduct experiments and analyze data for material science.
• Mentor colleagues and represent the company externally.

Skills

Materials Science

Polymer Chemistry

Chemical Engineering

Hands-on experience with natural materials

Project management

Education

Relevant degree in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Polymer extrusion

PET recycling

Job description

At Notpla, we’re at the forefront of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that are carefully engineered to help build a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, we’re an innovative, action-oriented scale-up developing and manufacturing uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants.

As a Senior Material Scientist, you’ll spearhead scientific and technological breakthroughs, playing a pivotal role in developing natural polymer technologies to replace plastic. This role will suit someone with a background in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering, with hands-on experience working with natural materials such as biopolyesters, rubbers, resins, seaweed, and/or processes such as PET recycling and/or polymer extrusion.

This is an exciting time to join Notpla - we’re on the brink of a record-breaking year for revenue and on track for major growth in the next 18–24 months. To support this, we have just secured a £20 million Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever.

Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, Notpla provides competitive compensation, including EMI Share Options, a zero-carbon pension scheme, discounts with local businesses, and subsidised social activities. Our office-first hybrid working policy lets you work in the way that maximises your productivity while maintaining a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. We’re a social business with regular clubs and events, and we’re proud of how our diverse, mission-driven community works together to make plastic disappear.

Led by strong values, all Notpla employees are encouraged to take ownership of their domain, enjoying a high degree of autonomy. Our aim is to build an inspiring culture reflected in our working policies, environment, and people.

As a Senior Material Scientist, you’ll balance fast-paced feasibility initiatives with in-depth polymer and process development. Your work will be highly hands-on and collaborative, engaging with cross-disciplinary teams and international partners. You’ll tackle complex materials challenges, coordinate trials, scout novel natural polymer opportunities, and engage with a network of scientific experts and labs to bring innovation to life.

Within the Innovation Team, you’ll thrive in a setting that embraces ambiguity and agile ways of working. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds - such as design, engineering, and business - to develop new materials and products. A true innovator, you’ll explore the unknown, constantly learning and pushing the boundaries of science rooted in nature.

Key Responsibilities

• Play a central scientific role in a large consortium project, guiding technical direction, developing agile strategies and experimental plans, conducting hands-on work, and coordinating polymer chemistry activities across partners.
• Pioneer new approaches to polymer synthesis and processing from abundant natural materials.
• Conduct feasibility studies and fast-paced discovery projects to address material science and packaging challenges.
• Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams - including designers, engineers, seaweed specialists, and business development managers - to solve complex problems.
• Identify, source, and test natural materials; develop formulations that meet performance, sustainability, and cost targets.
• Design and execute experiments, analyse data, and present findings to drive decision-making and project progress.
• Stay up to date with the latest scientific and industry advancements, integrating new knowledge into projects.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets.
• Provide technical input for grant and client proposals to secure funding.
• Lead in-depth development projects to advance the understanding of seaweed and biomaterials for packaging applications.
• Characterise polymer structures, reactions, and material behaviour, and conduct performance, shelf-life, and compatibility studies.
• Represent Notpla to external partners, academic institutions, and commercial labs; coordinate third-party testing as needed.
• Develop groundbreaking technical strategies and approaches to solve key challenges.
• Mentor colleagues (scientists, designers, engineers) to help develop their technical skills and support their project work.
• Plan and manage your own workload effectively.