Research and Development Technologist

R&D Technologist I Permanent I On-Site I £Competitive I Derbyshire

Are you looking to develop your career in research and development within an innovative manufacturing environment? We're recruiting for an R&D Technologist to join a growing technical team, where you'll play a key role in developing new polymer compounds, improving existing formulations, and supporting products from concept through to commercialisation. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with existing commercial/industrial lab experience to apply to a new environment and business.

The Role

As an R&D Technologist, you'll work closely with production, quality, commercial teams and customers to develop high-quality, commercially viable polymer compounds. You'll be involved in formulation development, product testing, technical problem-solving, and continuous improvement projects while supporting new product introductions and customer applications.

Key Responsibilities

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• Support compound development projects from concept through to commercialisation.
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• Develop, test and optimise polymer formulations.
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• Provide technical support during product scale-up and new product introductions.
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• Investigate and resolve technical and customer-related challenges.
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• Maintain accurate formulation data within SAP.
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• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including raw material optimisation and cost reduction.
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• Assist with laboratory operations and technical documentation.
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• Explore the use of digital and AI tools to support innovation, product development and data analysis.
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• Visit customers to understand requirements, support product trials and build strong working relationships.
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• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and relevant regulatory requirements.
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About You

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

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• A degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering or a related scientific discipline.
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• Experience in a manufacturing or laboratory-based environment.
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• Experience formulating polymeric/plastic materials.
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• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage projects from concept through to completion.
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• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain technical information clearly.
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• A proactive approach with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
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• An understanding of AI and digital tools and how they can support product development and data analysis.
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• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365; SAP experience would be advantageous.
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• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
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• The ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with customers.
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Working HoursMonday - Thursday: 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday: 8:30am - 1:30pm

Apply

If you're passionate about research and development, enjoy solving technical challenges, and are looking to join a forward-thinking manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today with your CV to be considered for this exciting opportunity.