Lead Research Chemist

Stopford has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Research Chemist to join our Technology & Innovation Team.

The Role of Lead Research Chemist

The role of Lead Research Chemist is a pivotal role within our organisation, contributing to the advancement and commercialisation of both in-house and client-led technologies focused on enabling the circular economy. With a strong focus on sustainable chemical processing, you will act as a subject matter expert across multiple domains, covering both the materials science and process chemistry for chemical recycling, plasma gasification, alternative energy, and sustainable fertiliser production processes.

As Lead Research Chemist, you will take ownership of chemistry-centric workstreams, providing specialist input into experimental design, data interpretation, and scale-up activities. You will interface closely with process engineers and multidisciplinary project teams to translate laboratory findings into commercially viable, scalable technologies. From conducting hands-on experimental trials to shaping process design documents (PFDs, heat and mass balances, process simulations), your contributions will have a direct impact on innovation delivery and technical excellence.

You will oversee laboratory programs, both internally and in collaboration with third-party laboratories, to generate critical analytical data that supports technology validation, process optimisation, and intellectual property development. A key component of this role is the ability to think strategically, bringing forward innovative ideas while applying sound scientific judgment to guide research priorities.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of commercial and R&D projects, often at the intersection of academia and industry. If you are passionate about using chemistry to solve global sustainability challenges, and thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments, then we would love to hear from you.

This is a full-full time position based in Lancaster with the opportunity for hybrid working. There will be occasional travel to other sites.

Key Responsibilities of the Lead Research Chemist will include:

\n
• Leading all process chemistry workstreams relating to the development and commercialisation of Stopford’s Technology Portfolio.
\n
• Leading and project managing chemistry centric R&D programmes for Stopford’s clients.
\n
• Interface with inhouse or client engineering teams to translate outputs from chemical experimentation to inform the design and scale-up of process technologies (e.g. Process Flow Diagrams, Heat & Mass Balance Development, Process Simulation and Process Safety).
\n
• Hands-on wet-chemistry and technology trials within a research environment.
\n
• Management of all analyses with external contract laboratories.
\n
• Reporting of key process data pertinent for commercialisation.
\n
• Reviewing process chemistry patents to inform FTO and IPR strategy.
\n
• Ensure that all activities are carried out in a safe and compliant manner
\n
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders and supply chain partners
\n
• Ensure a culture of continuous improvement, learning and self-development is proactively led and encouraged
\n
• Line manage junior members of the Technology & Innovation team focusing on both their short-term development goals (essential knowledge and skills) and the longer-term future career development of individuals.
\n
• Support company-wide activities.
\n

Role requirements for our Lead Research Chemist:

\n
• Relevant industry experience is essential.
\n
• A relevant chemistry degree/PhD in a related field.
\n
• Strategic thinker and problem solver.
\n
• Experience of technology transfer, scale-up and project management.
\n
• Experience of experimental design, and a working knowledge of methods and techniques for physical property analysis.
\n
• Experience of experimental design, and a working knowledge of methods and techniques for organic/inorganic chemicals analysis.
\n
• Willingness to be hands-on in a laboratory and at demonstration plant sites.
\n
• Excellent data analysis, interpretation and reporting skills.
\n
• Experience at operating at the interface of industry and academia.
\n
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strategic and collaborative working relationships across company service groups.
\n
• Experience of maintaining auditable records.
\n
• Uncompromising attitude to working safely.
\n
• Strong teamwork ethic, with a willingness to share information freely.
\n
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced project environment.
\n
• Be able to demonstrate an ability to manage uncertainty and change.
\n
• Eligible to live and work in the UK.
\n
• Full UK driving licence.
\n
• Working knowledge of Office 365 including One Drive and Sharepoint with proficient use of Word and Excel.
\n

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance of at least Security Check level (SC clearance) for this role.

Benefits

\n
• Employment at Stopford brings many benefits including:
\n
• Competitive salary 
\n
• Profit related bonus payment (10%)
\n
• Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
\n
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays 
\n
• Additional day off to celebrate your Birthday
\n
• Private medical insurance (including dental and optical)
\n
• Employee assistance programme 
\n
• Free on-site parking 
\n
• Reimbursement of professional membership fees 
\n
• Long service awards
\n

Please go to our website for a full job description to familiarise yourself with all of the responsibilities, skills and experience required before you apply. 

Please note that we do not accept applications from agencies, and you must be eligible to live and work in the UK.   

We look forward to receiving your CV for the post of Lead Research Chemist.

Closing date:  11 May 2025

Stopford reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist.  Therefore, we would recommend that you apply as soon as possible.    

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we are unfortunately not able to respond to each applicant. If you have not been called for interview within 3 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.