Research And Development Chemist
Clydebank, Scotland, United Kingdom
Barrington James has has an exciting opportunity to work with our client based in Clydebank for an R&D Chemist with strong experience within Polymer Chemistry.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
Collaborate with operational colleagues to drive continuous improvement projects, focusing on enhancing yield, efficiency, and quality in manufacturing processes, as well as informing future facility design.
Expand the range of chitin and chitosan grades and varieties offered by the company.
Formulate chitin and chitosan-based products for high-value commercial applications.
Advance company knowledge and intellectual property related to chitin and chitosan through analytical testing and functional experiments.
Assess the suitability of new raw material feedstocks to diversify the company's product range and bolster future production capabilities.
Work closely with commercial teams and clients to understand and fulfill their requirements.
Develop work plans, design experiments, and provide progress reports, adhering to laboratory best practices including equipment maintenance and safe chemical handling.
Uphold strict safety standards to ensure the well-being of colleagues and customers.
Knowledge, Experience, and Skills Required:
Proven expertise as an R&D Chemist in biopolymers, with a strong preference for experience in chitin and chitosan.
Postgraduate degree in polymeric materials or chemistry.
Proficiency in chitin purification and chitosan production methods.
Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, TGA, XRD, FTIR, and their data interpretation.
Ability to develop work plans, design experiments, and deliver clear, concise reports.
Experience in creating and following SOPs, COSHH, and Risk Assessment documentation.
A collaborative mindset suited to fast-paced, challenging environments, with a commitment to safety.
Special Features:
This role involves working between two locations: the R&D laboratory in Clydebank (near Glasgow) and the manufacturing facility in Glenrothes, Fife, with a managed approach to balancing time between the two.
Occasional visits to customers will be required for collaborative development work.