Principal Materials Scientist - biotech
| Posting date: | 28 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £70,000.0 to £95,000.0 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £70-90,000 plus package |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 September 2025 |
| Location: | London, London, EC2V 6DB |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 1 day per week |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4719254_1756378286 |
Summary
Your new company
You will be joining a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of regenerative biotechnology. With a mission to develop sustainable, high-performance materials, the company is pioneering innovations in bio-composites for the built environment. You will be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven team, working in a dynamic environment that blends scientific rigour with environmental impact.
Your new role
As Principal Material Development Scientist, you will lead the research and development of next-generation bio-composite materials, using organisms including mycelium. You will drive material formulation, performance optimisation, and support scale-up and regulatory compliance. This role combines hands-on experimentation with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable materials.
This is a permanent position based in London.
Main Responsibilities
Material R&D Leadership:
- Conceive, lead, and manage R&D projects focused on the development of bio-composite materials.
- Design and execute laboratory experiments using high-throughput and statistical Design of Experiment (DoE) methodologies.
Material Characterisation & Optimisation:
- Analyse materials using thermal, structural, mechanical, and chemical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, SEM, FTIR, tensile testing).
- Optimise formulations to meet performance, safety, and sustainability targets.
Scale-Up & Process Integration:
- Collaborate with process engineers to transition materials from lab-scale to pilot and production-scale manufacturing.
- Ensure scalability and reproducibility of material properties.
Compliance & Sustainability:
- Partner with regulatory and sustainability teams to ensure materials meet building codes, safety standards, and lifecycle goals.
- Support documentation and protection of intellectual property related to formulations and processes.
Team Development & External Engagement:
- Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building a high-performing materials team.
- Engage with external research partners, suppliers, and industry experts to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.
Data Analysis & Reporting:
- Conduct critical analysis of experimental data and communicate findings effectively across teams.
What you'll need to succeed
- PhD / EngD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent experience
- Strong expertise in advanced materials development, ideally with bio-based or composite materials.
- Excellent understanding of structure-property-process relationships in composite systems.
- Proficiency in high-throughput experimentation and statistical DoE approaches.
- Passion for sustainability, innovation, and solving complex material challenges.
- Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.
What you'll get in return
You'll have the chance to work within a close-knit, experienced team and make a real difference within a company that's looking to transform the sector and have a far-reaching impact on the global scale.You'll also get a number of progression and development opportunities and a good salary and benefits package.
What you need to do now
If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, feel free to reach out to us for guidance on your next career move.
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