Senior Polymer Process Chemist – Scale-Up & Development

SRG; Sedgefield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

CPI is seeking a Senior Research Scientist 1 - Process Chemistry (Polymers) in Sedgefield to join the polymer synthesis and process development team. The role focuses on designing, developing and scaling chemical processes beyond the bench, with emphasis on acrylic polymerisation, vinyl monomer chemistry and sustainable materials development.

You will work across multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, scalable, and safe processes, supporting projects from lab to pilot scale and delivering

Qualifications

• A degree, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related discipline.
• Industrial experience within process chemistry, polymer chemistry or chemical development.
• Strong background in synthetic chemistry.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory-based experimental programmes.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems and interpret experimental results.
• Excellent communication and technical reporting skills.
• Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive approach and the confidence to work independently on technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Leading technical delivery across small and medium-sized process chemistry projects.
• Designing, planning and executing experimental programmes focused on polymer and process development.
• Developing and optimizing polymerisation reactions and synthetic routes.
• Supporting scale-up activities from laboratory development through to pilot-scale operations.
• Working safely with reactive, corrosive, oxidising and exothermic chemistries.
• Conducting hazard reviews, risk assessments and process safety activities.
• Analyzing experimental data and translating observations into meaningful process improvements.
• Producing high-quality technical reports and project documentation.
• Acting as a technical specialist within project teams and supporting junior scientists.
• Collaborating with customers, business development teams and external partners on new opportunities.
• Contributing to the growth of CPI's polymer chemistry and sustainable materials capabilities.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Process development

Scale-up

Hazard reviews

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Project delivery

Education

MSc/PhD in Chemistry/Polymer Science/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

Job description

CPI is seeking a Senior Research Scientist 1 - Process Chemistry (Polymers) in Sedgefield to join the polymer synthesis and process development team. The role focuses on designing, developing and scaling chemical processes beyond the bench, with emphasis on acrylic polymerisation, vinyl monomer chemistry and sustainable materials development.

You will work across multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, scalable, and safe processes, supporting projects from lab to pilot scale and delivering