Advanced Chemist

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,500 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 28 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

We're looking for anAdvanced Chemist - Polymers to play a key role in developing new products, improving technologies, and supporting projects from concept through to commercial manufacture. This is an exciting opportunity for a scientifically curious and commercially minded chemist who enjoys turning ideas into real-world solutions.

Working within a collaborative R&D team, you'll lead technical workstreams, analyse and interpret complex data, support manufacturing scale-up activities, and partner with commercial, operational and regulatory colleagues to deliver business impact.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading technical projects and delivering innovative polymer solutions.
• Developing new products, formulations, applications and technical capabilities.
• Supporting manufacturing scale-up, technology transfer and production trials.
• Providing technical expertise to commercial and operational teams.
• Analysing experimental data and presenting clear, actionable conclusions.
• Supporting patent awareness, competitor benchmarking and technology insight.
• Driving high standards of safety, scientific rigour and continuous improvement.
• Building strong relationships across R&D, operations, regulatory and business teams.

What we're looking for:

• PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science or a related discipline, or a degree with at least2 years' relevant industrial experience.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry and the relationship between material composition and performance.
• Experience in product development, formulation or process scale-up.
• Excellent problem-solving, data analysis and communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions.

Why join us?

At Synthomer, you'll have the opportunity to work on innovative technologies, contribute to globally recognised products, and develop your career within a leading specialty chemicals business. If you're passionate about science, innovation and making an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Harlow, Essex (4-5 days per week on-site)

This is a highly practical, laboratory-based role, requiring regular hands-on experimentation, testing and collaboration with the R&D team. As such, the successful candidate will be based at our Harlow site4-5 days per week.

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰Competitive,market-aligned compensation

• 🎯Discretionaryglobal bonus scheme

• 📈DiscretionaryLong-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗Companycar or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆Performance culture,global reward & recognition programmes