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Materials Scientist

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London
1 month ago
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Job Description

Job Title: Materials Scientist – for Sustainable Formulations & Process Development

Location: London, UK

Materials Scientist - Project-based Role for Sustainable Formulations & Process Development

Join Biophilica and Be Part of Shaping the Future of Sustainable Materials

Are you a materials scientist passionate about sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge materials development? Biophilica, a pioneering and award-winning materials science startup, is seeking a highly driven and organized commercial R&D scientist to join our team in London. If you have expertise in green chemistry, plastics, biopolymers, coatings, and surface chemistry — particularly with plastics, polysaccharides and plant-derived polymers — we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to contribute to the development and scaling of our award-winning plant-based materials with unique environmental benefits.

Why Biophilica?

We are a recognized startup on a mission to bring our truly sustainable leather alternative — Treekind — to the mass market. Our team thrives on results and progress, efficiency in an agile environment.

Our achievements include:

  • Launched material with ID Geneve Watches in 2023
  • Pilot programme with 4 brands within the Fashion For Good network
  • Project with beauty brand for packaging
  • Demo-line and scale-up trials
  • Treekind ranked #2 leather alternative worldwide: ecocult.com/list-vegan-leather-alternatives-ranked

Awards:

  • Cartier Women’s Initiative 2024: 1st Place Europe
  • PDS Ventures’ and Global Fashion Agenda’s Trailblazer 2024: Finalist
  • Women in Innovation 2022
  • Manufacturing Futures 2021
  • Mills Fabrica Techstyle for Social Good 2021
  • Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards 2021 (Finalist)
  • Microfibre Innovation Challenge 2022(Finalist)
  • UKBAA Angel Investments Awards Finalist 2022 (Finalist)
  • Vogue Yoox 2021 (Finalist)

Accelerators:

  • LVMH Startup Accelerator
  • Fashion For Good accelerator followed by the FFG pilot program

About the Project-based Role

We are seeking a Masters or PhD-qualified Materials Scientist with 4 years of commercial experience in plastics and/or biopolymers. This role is perfect for a highly motivated, entrepreneurial scientist who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment. You will develop formulations for product applications, processes and technologies, to rapidly scale our materials, ensuring they meet market quality and cost demands.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Novel materials design and development using green chemistry principles
  • Formulation development, support process engineering and optimisation
  • Implement quality control testing protocols
  • Analyse and report on standard chemical and mechanical testing
  • Collaborate closely with industrial research partners and external vendors
  • Manage projects efficiently to deliver on time or ahead of schedule
  • Occasionally travel within the UK/EU

What We’re Looking For

  • Masters or PhD (or postdoctoral experience) ideally in Materials Science or Chemistry. Closely related fields will also be considered.
  • Strong commercial research experience in plastics, plant-derived biopolymers and/or green chemistry, including polysaccharides.
  • Experience in startup environments and a clear understanding of what drives startup success
  • Knowledge of surface characterisation techniques and mechanical property analysis and processing of polymers
  • Experience working with engineers focused on process design, manufacturing scale-up, and commercial production
  • You are pragmatic, thrive on challenges andmaking the most of existing resources
  • Excellent time-management, organisational, and project management skills
  • Strong communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders within and outside of your area
  • Ability to work successfully, delivering results both independently and within a team

What We Offer

  • A one year contract based on a newly awarded project
  • Competitive salary
  • Occasional travel for off-site visits within the UK and internationally
  • A collaborative, agile, and innovative work environment
  • The opportunity to shape the future of sustainable materials
  • A role in a team making a real environmental impact

How to Apply

To apply, please send your cover letter, CV, compensation expectations, and contact information for three professional references to .

Equal Opportunity Employer

Biophilica is committed to and . We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of , , , religion, , , or veteran status.

Join us in revolutionising sustainable materials


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