Product Development Chemist

Newcastle upon Tyne
10 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Product Development Chemist

Laboratory Technician

Development Technician

Chemistry Project Manager

Development Technician

Chemist - New Zealand

Title: New Product Development Chemist

Location: Newcastle area

Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Term: Permanent

SRG are working with a global and innovative producer of coatings and polymer-based products that have been established for over 75 years. They are seeking to hire a Development Chemist at their site in the Newcastle area to focus on the development of new products in printing. This role will suit candidates that have recent, proven industrial experience in the printing industry using gravure-printing, with desirable experience being in decorative or laminated film applications. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and growing industry.

Benefits and working hours: 35.5 hours per week, 9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday and 9am - 3pm on Fridays. 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays. Company pension scheme and discretionary bonus.

Role/Description

Create and test innovative decorative patterns for polymer films using gravure printing, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer preferences.

Formulate and enhance solvent-based ink systems, focusing on the selection, dispersion, and stability of pigments.

Assess and aid in the development of primers to guarantee strong adhesion of films to polymer substrates.

Execute lab and pilot-scale gravure printing trials, overseeing all print parameters such as cylinder selection, drying, and ink transfer.

Resolve printing issues including colour inconsistencies, poor adhesion, solvent retention, and misprints.

Conduct thorough visual and instrumental colour evaluations using tools like spectrophotometers and gloss meters.

Record all findings in technical reports and assist in scaling up new designs to full-scale production.

Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in formulation, product development, process engineering, and production to ensure the successful implementation of print innovations.

Stay informed about emerging pigment technologies, sustainable solvent systems, and regulatory requirements (e.g., REACH, VOC limits).

Requirements

Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science or similar
Recent, proven industrial experience of using gravure printing
Knowledge and/or experience primers and adhesion promoters
Ability to work independently and as part of cross-functional teams
Full right to work in the UKIf you would like to apply for this position, please use the link provided. Alternatively please email a copy of your CV For more information regarding this position or any others, please call Will on (phone number removed).

If you have a scientific background and this position is not relevant / suitable for you, please feel free to get in touch or visit (url removed) to view our other vacancies.

SRG is the UK's number one recruitment company specialising in the scientific, engineering, clinical, pharmaceutical, food/FMCG, energy & renewables, biotech, chemical and medical device sectors.

As scientists ourselves, our specialist sector knowledge and our passion are second to none. It's this combination that makes us different. We're committed to providing outstanding temporary, contract and permanent career opportunities of all levels for our candidates and a comprehensive range of expert strategic recruitment services for our clients.

Keywords: chemistry, chemist, development, develop, R&D, research & development, printing, pigments, NPD, formulation,

Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group STEM Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Careers

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

Education

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.