Head of Research And Development
4 days ago
Stoke-on-Trent
Head of Research & Development Location: UK Contract: Full-time | Permanent Function: Research & Development We are seeking an experienced and driven Head of Research & Development to lead a small, high-impact R&D team and pilot plant within a specialist materials manufacturing environment. This is a senior, hands-on role suited to a technically strong leader who thrives in translating innovative chemistry into scalable, commercial products. Key Responsibilities • Lead and manage the R&D laboratory and pilot plant operations, • Develop new, innovative products aligned with strategic business objectives, • Explore and evaluate new chemistries and material technologies, • Design, develop and scale up manufacturing processes from lab to pilot scale, • Establish and maintain analytical methods and quality parameters, • Provide technical support to Production, Sales and HSQE teams, • Support troubleshooting and continuous improvement within manufacturing, • Develop new applications for existing and emerging products, • Define laboratory equipment standards and technical procedures, • Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety and regulatory requirements, • Deliver technical service support to customers as required Required Background & Experience • PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science or a related discipline, • Industrial R&D experience within functional or advanced materials, • Strong background in analytical and spectroscopic techniques (e.g. UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, XRD), • Proven experience in process development and scale-up, • Hands-on laboratory experience with a practical, solution-driven mindset, • Experience managing laboratories and leading small technical teams Preferred Technical Expertise Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: • Functional and optical materials, • Interaction of light with inorganic materials, • Photocatalytic, photochromic, luminescent or phosphorescent materials, • UV / VIS / NIR / laser absorbing or reflecting materials, • Nanoparticle or solid-state synthesis, • Materials for energy or solar-related applications Personal Attributes • Highly motivated, hands-on and adaptable, • Strong verbal and written communication skills, • Comfortable working under pressure and to tight deadlines, • Creative problem solver with an “out-of-the-box” approach, • Willingness to travel occasionally, • Additional language skills are an advantage Why Apply? • Opportunity to lead and shape an R&D function with real commercial impact, • High level of autonomy and technical ownership, • Broad exposure across R&D, manufacturing, sales and customers, • Work in a specialist materials environment where innovation matters
