Job Description

We are currently looking for a Senior Materials Chemist, available to start work as soon as possible, to work alongside the R&D Team Lead to accelerate the development of Zentraxa's underwater glue technology. This role will add strong technical expertise to our technical team as we develop our adhesive technology from a concept to a product. The role is a lab-based role and as such is an on-site role based at our premises at the Science Creates St. Philips incubator, Bristol (see https://sciencecreates.co.uk/incubators/ for more details).

What we do:

Zentraxa is a Bristol-based biotechnology company. Our custom-designed biomaterials are inspired by natural systems and precision engineered to deliver the performance enhancements our target markets are actively seeking. Providing groundbreaking solutions to difficult problems in industry and with a track record of producing adhesives for defence, medical applications, and biodegradable polymers for personal care products. Our proprietary Zentide platform allows us to discover and produce innovative, otherwise inaccessible biomaterials in a repeatable, sustainable, and scalable manner. By making biomaterial solutions more effective & accessible across a range of industries, we aim to contribute to a biomanufacturing revolution and a more sustainable future.

Working at Zentraxa

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We see Zentraxa as playing a key role in the long-term mission to adopt more sustainable processes, rooted in biotechnology, across an increasingly wider array of industries. We deliver our innovations by rigorous scientific work and thinking creatively about industrial problems. Our belief is that fundamental change requires small steps to deliver a greener future that is economically viable for all.

We provide a supportive and nurturing environment for our employees, offering opportunities for individual growth alongside delivery of the company's core mission and objectives. We ensure our employees have regular one-to-ones and progress reviews, as well as frequent team catchups and socials.

We work and communicate as a team, trusting each other to be in the right place at the right time and to do the right thing so that everyone can balance their work and home commitments in a way that works best for them. We offer flexible working, delivering to company and project needs around a schedule that works for you and your team. Other benefits include 26 days annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, and eligibility for the company share option scheme.

What we're looking for:

The focus of the role is to accelerate the development of Zentraxa's underwater glue technology as part of the R&D team. You will also support the development of other product categories including cosmetics and other adhesive technologies through strong technical expertise and develop a fundamental understanding of Zentraxa's adhesive products. The role requires a scientist with a passion for innovation with strong interpersonal and communication skills that will also support the R&D team through technical mentoring, supervision and by setting high standards of laboratory practice.

The Senior Materials Chemist will be responsible for working with and reporting to the R&D Team Lead to develop adhesive products. You will build a strong understanding of composite hydrogel materials and adhesives. You will also be responsible for the implementation of material characterisation methods and standards that are aligned with industry standards. You will work with the materials formulation team to ensure that technical milestones are delivered according to business objectives and to a high standard contributing to a high-performance team culture. This will require you to coach, mentor and train other members of the materials formulation team, ensure that high standards of process documentation are maintained and ensure Good Laboratory Practice and safe working standards in the laboratory.

Role Responsibilities:

To work with and report to the R&D team lead to accelerate the development of materials in line with customer and business needs.

To ensure material characterization methods are aligned with industry standards.

To present data and experimental results clearly and succinctly to internal and external stakeholders

To ensure technical milestones are delivered according to business objectives.

To develop fundamental understanding of composite hydrogel materials.

To ensure experiments are appropriately planned, including resourcing requirements.

To support the preparation of technical documents for project reports.

To mentor and support the training needs of the team.

To ensure IP generated is captured appropriately and aligned with business strategy.

To do experimental problem-solving actively, troubleshooting issues and recommend mitigations/contingency plans.

To review experimental data and plans generated by the team.

To coach, mentor and train other members of the materials formulation team.

To contribute to a high-performance team culture.

To stay up to date with research disseminating information and sharing learning with the wider team.

Ensure Good Laboratory Practice and safe working in the laboratory.

Ensure high standards of process documentation are maintained including experimental data, company SOPs, batch records, etc. to ensure records traceability.

The experience we are looking for:

Essential skills:

PhD or equivalent experience in industrial R&D in a relevant area e.g. chemistry, materials science.

Detailed technical understanding of diverse technologies/methodologies around materials characterisation including rheology, hydrogel chemistry, formulation science or similar.

Proven innovation and/or research contribution to projects.

Excellent skills in scientific communication and a rigorous approach to the planning and execution of experiments e.g DOE.

Ability to accurately and concisely report/communicate in any kind of format experimental work to other team members, stakeholders and external partners.

Ability to analyse data independently e.g. statistical analysis (SPSS, Minitab, JMP or similar).

Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and critically.

Ability to problem-solve independently or where appropriate, seeking advice and working with the team to solve problems.

A team player with excellent people and communication skills and demonstrated ability to get the best out of those around them in a team-orientated, collaborative environment.

Ability to manage experimental project work and work with multiple tasks and set priorities.

Ability to write SOP's, laboratory protocols and any other related technical and/or H&S related documentation.

Desirable skills:

Experience in grant proposal or similar.

Experience working with adhesive technologies.

Experience in process chemistry and technical transfer.

Experience in New Product Development.

An understanding of biological materials such as proteins and peptides.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Casual dress Company events Company pension Employee stock ownership plan Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave On-site parking Work from home
Schedule:

Flexitime Monday to Friday
Education:

Master's (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 01/07/2025