Project Engineer – Gloucester, Gloucestershire A new opportunity has arisen for a skilled Project Engineer to join an innovative engineering team in Gloucester, Gloucestershire. This role places the successful candidate at the forefront of technical design, product development, and advanced materials engineering for high-performance applications in sectors such as defence, marine, security, and automotive. The Project Engineer job in Gloucester,...
Octagon Group
Gloucester
General Operative
Company Overview: Join a leading global manufacturer and supplier of cellular polymers and engineered thermoplastics, operating across 19 countries with 58 sites worldwide. Our client provides an extensive range of products catering to diverse market sectors including transport, construction, furniture, and more. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we're seeking dedicated individuals to join our team at our manufacturing...
Time Recruitment Solutions Ltd
Slattocks
Composites Project Manager
Composites Project Manager Northamptonshire £80,000 Opportunities likes this do not come around often… You will be at the forefront of challenging all of the current processes, layouts & equipment used to create a brand-new facility offering the pinnacle of composite manufacturing. This is your opportunity to deliver a full cradle to grave project that is going to make shockwaves in...
The Collective Network Limited
Towcester
Factory Operative
General Operative Division: JRL Group / Mc Mullen Facades LTD Working hours: Monday – Thursday 6am – 4pm, Friday 6am – 2pm. Paid hours: 44.5 hours a week, unpaid breaks of 45 minutes per day. Job Type: Full time, Permanent, Weekly pay. FULL TRAINING WILL BE GIVEN, YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK. Responsibilities Assist in...
JRL Group
Carlton on Trent
Principal Naval Architect
Job Title: Principal Naval Architect Location: Portsmouth - Hybrid - 3 days on-site / 2 home Role Type: Permanent Salary: £50,000 - £58,000 depending on experience Our client, an established marine engineering firm, require an experienced Principal Naval Architect to join their multi-disciplined team. Please note candidates would need to be eligible to obtain UK SC Clearance and have 5+...
Gold Group
Portsmouth
Principal Software Engineer - C++, Python
Looking for a role where your work genuinely matters? This is your chance to join a close-knit engineering team building software that powers world-class scientific instruments. These systems help researchers push the boundaries of physics and materials science and you'll play a key part in making that happen. If you enjoy solving complex problems, collaborating across disciplines, and want to...
Materials science is everywhere – in batteries, semiconductors, medical implants, composites for aircraft, sustainable packaging & more. It’s a field built on curiosity, experimentation, precision & the ability to link microscopic structure to real-world performance.
In other words, it’s a brilliant match for many neurodivergent brains.
If you’re living with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you may have been told that your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too chaotic” for a scientific career. In reality, many of the traits that made school or traditional office work difficult can be serious assets in materials science & engineering.
This guide is written for UK job seekers exploring materials science careers. We’ll look at:
What neurodiversity means in a materials science context
How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map to materials roles
Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law
How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews
By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you might thrive in materials science – & how to turn “different thinking” into a genuine superpower.
As we move into 2026, the materials science jobs market in the UK is becoming more strategic and more selective. Advanced manufacturing, batteries, hydrogen, semiconductors, fusion, net-zero infrastructure and sustainable textiles all depend on advanced materials – and the UK has made these areas a national priority.
Business Growth Service
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At the same time, funding cycles are bumpy, some legacy plants are struggling with energy costs and global competition, and employers are under pressure to hit both climate and productivity targets. That means fewer “nice-to-have” R&D roles and more focus on materials science positions that clearly support growth, decarbonisation and resilience.
Whether you are a materials science job seeker planning your next move, or a recruiter building teams in advanced manufacturing, this guide breaks down the key materials science hiring trends for 2026.
Summary: UK materials science hiring has shifted from title‑led CV screens to capability‑driven assessments that emphasise characterisation with clear conclusions, scale‑up to pilot/production, standards compliance (ASTM/ISO/IATF/AS9100), sustainability/ESG, data literacy & measurable product or yield improvements. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for battery/materials engineers, polymer/composites specialists, metallurgists, ceramics/glass scientists, surface/thin‑film engineers, failure analysts, process/quality engineers & materials informatics roles.
Who this is for: Materials scientists & engineers (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, semiconductors, thin films, coatings), process/scale‑up & manufacturing engineers, CMC in materials for life sciences, QA/QC, failure analysis, test & characterisation, sustainability/LCAs, and materials informatics/data roles in the UK.
Shaping the Future of Materials
Your Gateway to Materials Science Careers
Connecting talented materials scientists and engineers with innovative companies developing cutting-edge materials and technologies.
Job Seekers:
Explore a wide range of materials science roles, from research and development to manufacturing and applications. Find your next challenge in areas like polymers, nanomaterials, biomaterials, and metallurgy.
Precise Talent Acquisition:
Build a leading materials science team with top talent skilled in materials characterisation, processing, and analysis. Post your materials science jobs and attract the best candidates.
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