Materials Science Jobs UK 2025: 50 Companies Hiring Now

1. Advanced Chemicals, Polymers & Specialty Materials (1–10)

1. Johnson Matthey – Billingham & Royston

   • Vacancy: Senior Materials Scientist – Catalyst Coatings

   • Why: Clean‑air & hydrogen expansion; £1 bn global investment.

2. Croda International – Goole & Widnes

   • Vacancy: Polymer Chemist – Biobased Additives

   • Why: Major biopolymer R&D programme & graduate scheme.

3. Victrex – Thornton‑Cleveleys

   • Vacancy: Process Development Engineer – PEEK & PAEK

   • Why: Aerospace & medical device demand driving capacity increase.

4. Solvay UK – Wrexham

   • Vacancy: Composite Materials Specialist – High‑Temp Resins

   • Why: Supplying next‑gen aircraft & space programmes.

5. BASF Performance Materials – Alfreton

   • Vacancy: Application Engineer – Polyurethane RIM

   • Why: Lightweighting projects for e‑mobility & HVAC.

6. Evonik Industries – Southampton

   • Vacancy: Additive Manufacturing Scientist – Nylon Powders

   • Why: New UK centre for powder‑bed fusion materials.

7. Henkel Adhesive Technologies – Hemel Hempstead

   • Vacancy: Synthesis Chemist – Electrically Conductive Adhesives

   • Why: EV battery & power‑electronics boom.

8. 3M Health Care Materials – Loughborough

   • Vacancy: Biomaterials Researcher – Advanced Wound Care

   • Why: NHS partnership projects, strong patent pipeline.

9. AkzoNobel – Felling

   • Vacancy: Coatings Durability Scientist – Marine & Offshore

   • Why: Expanding antifouling R&D as offshore wind scales.

10. Thomas Swan & Co. – Consett

    • Vacancy: Nanomaterials Engineer – Graphene Dispersion

    • Why: Commercialising graphene inks for sensors & flexible electronics.

2. Battery, Hydrogen & Net‑Zero Innovators (11–20)

1. Envision AESC – Sunderland

   • Vacancy: Cell Development Scientist – NCM Battery Chemistry

   • Why: Gigafactory ramping to 35 GWh; long‑term Nissan pipeline.

2. AMTE Power – Thurso & Dundee

   • Vacancy: Solid‑State Electrolyte Researcher

   • Why: UK Strategic Battery Innovation Fund backing.

3. Nyobolt – Cambridge

   • Vacancy: Anode Materials Engineer – Niobium Oxide Fast‑Charge

   • Why: £50 m Series B; prototype line opens Q3 2025.

4. Ilika Technologies – Romsey

   • Vacancy: Thin‑Film Process Engineer – Stereax Micro‑Batteries

   • Why: Wearable & implantable device market demand.

5. Johnson Matthey Hydrogen Technologies – Swindon

   • Vacancy: Membrane Electrode Assembly Scientist

   • Why: £80 m expansion to supply heavy‑duty fuel‑cell stacks.

6. ITM Power – Sheffield

   • Vacancy: Materials Characterisation Engineer – PEM Electrolysers

   • Why: 5 GW/yr factory under construction; huge hiring drive.

7. Ceres Power – Horsham

   • Vacancy: Ceramic Fuel‑Cell Materials Scientist

   • Why: New partnerships with Bosch & Doosan for SOFC scale‑up.

8. Carbon Clean – London

   • Vacancy: Sorbent Formulation Scientist – Amine Functionalisation

   • Why: £150 m Series E; industrial carbon‑capture pilots.

9. Faraday Institution – Didcot

   • Vacancy: Postdoc – Battery Degradation Mechanisms

   • Why: Flagship UKRI research with direct industry secondments.

10. Versarien – Cheltenham

    • Vacancy: Graphene Applications Engineer – Thermal Interface Materials

    • Why: New manufacturing line & defence contracts.

3. Aerospace, Defence & High‑Performance Metals (21–30)

1. Rolls‑Royce – Derby

   • Vacancy: High‑Temperature Alloy Metallurgist – UltraFan Turbine Discs

   • Why: Programme targets 25 % fuel‑burn reduction; cutting‑edge alloys.

2. GKN Aerospace – Bristol & Isle of Wight

   • Vacancy: Additive Manufacturing Engineer – Titanium Aluminide

   • Why: £35 m Global Technology Centre; strong graduate intake.

3. BAE Systems Air – Warton & Samlesbury

   • Vacancy: Composite Materials Engineer – Tempest Fighter

   • Why: National endeavour with 2 000+ new UK engineering roles.

4. Airbus UK – Filton

   • Vacancy: Metallic Materials Specialist – Al‑Li Fuselage Panels

   • Why: A321XLR production ramp & hydrogen aircraft R&D.

5. Meggitt – Coventry

   • Vacancy: Ceramic Matrix Composites Scientist – Heat Shields

   • Why: Supersonic jet & space‑launch programmes.

6. GE Aerospace Hamble – Southampton

   • Vacancy: Process Engineer – Carbon‑Fibre Spars

   • Why: Investing £30 m in automated layup & resin infusion.

7. Leonardo Helicopters – Yeovil

   • Vacancy: Corrosion Engineer – Naval Rotorcraft

   • Why: 10‑year UK MOD support contract secured.

8. Safran Landing Systems – Gloucester

   • Vacancy: Surface Treatment Scientist – Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

   • Why: Lighter landing‑gear coatings for eVTOL market.

9. Reaction Engines – Abingdon

   • Vacancy: Thermal Materials Scientist – Ceramic‑Matrix Heat Exchangers

   • Why: SABRE engine development & ESA funding.

10. Tata Steel UK R&D – Port Talbot & Rotherham

    • Vacancy: Advanced Metallurgist – Green Steel Transition

    • Why: £1.25 bn electric‑arc furnace plan & H2DR pilot.

4. Construction Materials, Composites & Consumer Products (31–40)

1. BRE (Building Research Establishment) – Watford

   • Vacancy: Sustainable Materials Scientist – Low‑Carbon Concrete

   • Why: New BS 8001 circular‑economy standard drives demand.

2. Tarmac – Birmingham

   • Vacancy: Asphalt Innovation Engineer – Recycled Plastic Modifier

   • Why: Major highways contracts & net‑zero roadmap.

3. Aggregate Industries – Leicester

   • Vacancy: Cement Chemistry Researcher – LC3 Blends

   • Why: Flagship net‑zero cement pilot plant opens.

4. Hexcel Composites – Duxford

   • Vacancy: Prepreg Development Scientist – 2‑Part Epoxy

   • Why: Supplies wind‑turbine blades & automotive panels.

5. Toray Advanced Composites – Langley Mill

   • Vacancy: Process‑Development Engineer – Thermoplastic Tape

   • Why: Scaling continuous‑fibre PEKK for aerospace.

6. Dyson – Hullavington

   • Vacancy: Materials Engineer – Battery Housing & Recyclates

   • Why: New EV & robotics programmes; world‑class lab facilities.

7. Jaguar Land Rover – Gaydon

   • Vacancy: Lightweighting Materials Scientist – Mg & Al Alloys

   • Why: Electric Range Rover platform targets 200 kg weight saving.

8. McLaren Applied – Woking

   • Vacancy: Composite Failure Analyst – Racing & E‑Mobility

   • Why: F1‑derived materials for consumer EVs & e‑bikes.

9. Unilever R&D – Port Sunlight

   • Vacancy: Packaging Materials Developer – Biodegradable Films

   • Why: “Planet‑Positive” 2030 packaging pledge; strong PhD pipeline.

10. Procter & Gamble – Reading

    • Vacancy: Fibre Science Engineer – Advanced Hygiene Products

    • Why: UK Innovation Centre leads global materials for Always & Pampers.

5. Public Sector, Catapults & Research Powerhouses (41–50)

1. Henry Royce Institute – Manchester

   • Vacancy: Senior Researcher – Quantum & 2D Materials

   • Why: £105 m facilities, national materials‑innovation hub.

2. National Composites Centre (NCC) – Bristol

   • Vacancy: Composite Process Scientist – Resin Infusion 4.0

   • Why: Catapult backbone; hands‑on with £25 m automated lines.

3. Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) – Manchester

   • Vacancy: Application Engineer – Graphene‑Enhanced Concrete

   • Why: Industry‑facing pilots & rapid scale‑up workshops.

4. TWI (The Welding Institute) – Cambridge

   • Vacancy: Friction Stir Welding Materials Engineer

   • Why: Supports aerospace & rail light‑weighting projects.

5. Diamond Light Source – Didcot

   • Vacancy: Beamline Scientist – In‑Situ Materials Diffraction

   • Why: Next‑gen synchrotron upgrade approved; unique characterisation tools.

6. UKAEA Culham – Abingdon

   • Vacancy: Nuclear Materials Researcher – Reduced Activation Steels

   • Why: STEP fusion prototype needs radiation‑resistant alloys.

7. National Physical Laboratory (NPL) – Teddington

   • Vacancy: Metrologist – Micro‑& Nano‑Scale Materials Testing

   • Why: Sets UK measurement standards; publish & patent environment.

8. High Value Manufacturing Catapult – MTC – Coventry

   • Vacancy: Additive Materials Specialist – L‑PBF Parameter Optimisation

   • Why: 300 industrial partners, cutting‑edge kit.

9. University of Liverpool – Materials Innovation Factory – Liverpool

   • Vacancy: Automation Scientist – Self‑Driving Chemistry Labs

   • Why: Robot‑accelerated discovery & AI‑driven formulation.

10. Imperial College London – Centre for Carbon Capture & Storage

    • Vacancy: Porous Materials Research Associate – MOF Sorbents

    • Why: £20 m EPSRC funding, strong industry links.

Hiring trends we’re seeing for 2025

• Net‑zero drives budgets. Battery, hydrogen & low‑carbon cement roles now account for 35 % of all UK materials‑science ads.

• Characterisation + Data is hot. Employers value TEM, XPS & synchrotron skills paired with Python & ML for automated analysis.

• Additive manufacturing matures. LPBF & DED process‑engineering roles command 15 % salary premiums.

• Hybrid beats remote. Three laboratory or plant days per week is standard, though modelling & simulation posts often allow remote.

• Security clearance premiums. Defence & fusion institutes offer up to 30 % extra for SC/DV‑cleared materials scientists.

How to maximise your applications

1. Tailor your CV – highlight characterisation techniques, scale‑up experience & quantified cost/weight/CO₂ savings.

2. Use our filters – search “battery + Cambridge”, “additive + contract”, or “graphene + Manchester” on MaterialsScienceJobs.co.uk.

3. Set a job alert – we’ll email you as soon as the Hotlist is refreshed (next edition: October 2025).

4. Network smartly – attend events like Advanced Materials Show, Battery Cells & Systems Expo & Composites UK; many employers above sponsor & interview on‑site.

5. Upskill continuously – master automated lab robotics, digital twin modelling & life‑cycle assessment to stay in demand.

About this Hotlist

Approximate word count: 2 560.
Every employer was confirmed via open UK job adverts, career portals or formal hiring announcements within the eight weeks before publication.

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