Principal Scientist - Materials
| Posting date: | 29 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £48,000 to £64,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 September 2025 |
| Location: | Sedgefield, Stockton-On-Tees |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Centre for Process Innovation |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | CPI-11082-25 |
Summary
We are looking for a Principal Scientist to join our Materials Scientist team, to provide high-level technical expertise and leadership in order to deliver large scale, complex projects.
The Principal will act as a credible technical expert for the organisation, drawing upon a broad range of technical know-how to provide technical expertise and advice to a range of stakeholders in order to inform technical strategy and direction.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our material science team and you can see come of the exciting projects they have been working on below:
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/descycle
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/chestnut-bio
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/lina-energy-2
Key tasks in the Principal Scientist role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details:
• To identify new technical developments and trends, translate these into building blocks for opportunities across and outside of CPI and initiate the creation of (new) technological innovations/applications.
• To utilise own expert knowledge to inform the technology strategy at technology area level, translating this into practice through the creation of deliverable plans to achieve technology area objectives.
• To build, influence and exploit a network of relevant (inter)national external stakeholders, customers, partners, research organisations and authorities, to represent CPI as the technical expert in networks and discuss and lobby for projects and future developments.
• To actively contribute to a culture of continuous capability development within teams, in alignment with company strategy and project deliverables. This will be achieved by coaching and developing colleagues, (both technically and behaviourally) to help them reach their potential and acting as a mentor to senior colleagues across the organisation, providing a strategic perspective.
• To keep self up to date with developments in technological innovations/applications and/or legislative and SHE related changes, ensuring implementation and application of new best practice and/or knowledge.
• To work collaboratively with Business Development and technical colleagues, providing support relating to proposal / project development and direct customer engagement. Seek out and engage in business development opportunities where appropriate.
• To act as a credible partner to Bid Development teams, actively involved in defining and advising on the technical elements of a bid, in order to develop a programme of works.
The person we are looking for will have:
Essential:
• Educated to at least a HNC or Foundation Degree level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/Engineering discipline plus significant and in-depth industrial experience at an expert level
• Possess significant, technical expertise in inorganic chemistry and electrochemistry as well as compelling evidence of complex technical problem solving
• Able to take responsibility for diverse or complex technical activities where it is necessary to use own initiative and judgement, implementing innovative solutions in business critical situations
• Will exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in inorganic materials gained through a career in area of expertise.
• Can demonstrate evidence of building cross-industry and organisational knowledge sharing and network building.
Desirable:
• Technical expertise in energetic materials, metals purification and recycling, process chemistry or battery materials
• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution
• An active member of a professional body, engaging with peers beyond CPI.
The Principal will act as a credible technical expert for the organisation, drawing upon a broad range of technical know-how to provide technical expertise and advice to a range of stakeholders in order to inform technical strategy and direction.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our material science team and you can see come of the exciting projects they have been working on below:
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/descycle
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/chestnut-bio
https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/lina-energy-2
Key tasks in the Principal Scientist role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details:
• To identify new technical developments and trends, translate these into building blocks for opportunities across and outside of CPI and initiate the creation of (new) technological innovations/applications.
• To utilise own expert knowledge to inform the technology strategy at technology area level, translating this into practice through the creation of deliverable plans to achieve technology area objectives.
• To build, influence and exploit a network of relevant (inter)national external stakeholders, customers, partners, research organisations and authorities, to represent CPI as the technical expert in networks and discuss and lobby for projects and future developments.
• To actively contribute to a culture of continuous capability development within teams, in alignment with company strategy and project deliverables. This will be achieved by coaching and developing colleagues, (both technically and behaviourally) to help them reach their potential and acting as a mentor to senior colleagues across the organisation, providing a strategic perspective.
• To keep self up to date with developments in technological innovations/applications and/or legislative and SHE related changes, ensuring implementation and application of new best practice and/or knowledge.
• To work collaboratively with Business Development and technical colleagues, providing support relating to proposal / project development and direct customer engagement. Seek out and engage in business development opportunities where appropriate.
• To act as a credible partner to Bid Development teams, actively involved in defining and advising on the technical elements of a bid, in order to develop a programme of works.
The person we are looking for will have:
Essential:
• Educated to at least a HNC or Foundation Degree level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/Engineering discipline plus significant and in-depth industrial experience at an expert level
• Possess significant, technical expertise in inorganic chemistry and electrochemistry as well as compelling evidence of complex technical problem solving
• Able to take responsibility for diverse or complex technical activities where it is necessary to use own initiative and judgement, implementing innovative solutions in business critical situations
• Will exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in inorganic materials gained through a career in area of expertise.
• Can demonstrate evidence of building cross-industry and organisational knowledge sharing and network building.
Desirable:
• Technical expertise in energetic materials, metals purification and recycling, process chemistry or battery materials
• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution
• An active member of a professional body, engaging with peers beyond CPI.
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