R&D Senior Scientist
3 days ago
Ealing
Salary: £50,000 Location: Ealing, London Reports To: R&D Manager Contract: Permanent, full-time Start Date: July 2026 (can be flexible for the right candidate) Benefits • Employee share option plan, • Flexible working hours, • 28 days holiday, excluding bank holidays, • Free on-site parking, • Accelerated professional development within a collaborative R&D environment, with mentorship and clear scope to grow into additional responsibilities over time Company Overview Zonova is on a mission to eliminate hospital-acquired infections - one of the most serious and costly threats in modern healthcare. Every day, patients are put at risk by the very devices designed to help them: catheters, IV lines, and other devices provide an ideal environment for dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria to take hold, leading to life threatening conditions like sepsis and pneumonia. Zonova has developed a novel antimicrobial additive technology that embeds directly into medical devices, eliminating bacteria on contact. Our strategy is focused on vascular access devices first, before expanding into adjacent areas including urology, women's health, and orthopaedics. Our mission is to make infection prevention standard practice through a scalable, affordable, integrated solution that protects patients from the moment a device is inserted. Zonova's work has been recognised by some of the UK's leading voices in innovation. Founder Dr Georgia Fleet was named a winner of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2024/25 and won #1 in TechRound’s Top 50 Women in Tech & Startups. Zonova won the Startup Award at the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards 2025 and was named in the Startups 100 2026 - the definitive list of the most promising new UK businesses. Most recently, we closed a £2.1m seed round led by THENA Capital, to accelerate our growth and route to market. It's an exciting time to join the team and grow with us in this next phase! Job Purpose You will be an integral, hands-on member of Zonova's R&D team, working closely alongside the R&D Manager to drive the development and testing of our antimicrobial technologies. We're looking for someone who rolls up their sleeves, brings a positive energy, and gets things done - equally comfortable at the bench and contributing ideas in a team setting. We seek candidates with a background in chemistry, polymer science, and/or medical device development, with a willingness to learn antimicrobial testing to evaluate the materials you produce (full training and support provided). There is a clear path for the right person to take on greater team responsibilities over time. Key Responsibilities • Product Development & Testing: Lead the formulation, processing, and optimisation of Zonova's polymer and material-based products. Carry out antimicrobial efficacy testing on samples you produce (full training provided)., • Project & Pilots Execution: Support the delivery of project timelines and contribute to pilot studies with external partners. Ensure protocols are followed, outcomes are well documented, and any issues are flagged proactively., • Team Collaboration & Support: Work closely with the wider R&D team (3-4 members) in a supportive, collaborative way - sharing knowledge, helping troubleshoot challenges, and contributing positively to team culture. There is scope for this role to grow into greater team responsibilities over time., • External Partnerships: Support working with external test houses as directed by the R&D Manager, maintaining confidentiality and alignment with Zonova's objectives., • Data & Reporting: Produce clear summary reports of scientific data to support patent filings, and create presentations for conferences and stakeholders., • Lab Management: Contribute to lab operations, including risk assessments, safety compliance, and resource management. Maintain accurate and thorough records of your own research and development activities., • Scientific Communication: Represent Zonova at scientific conferences (typically 1 teamwide conference per year). What We're Looking For • Positive, Can-Do Attitude: You approach challenges with a glass-half-full mindset, stay solution-focused under pressure, and bring an energy that lifts the people around you. You don't shy away from problems - you get stuck in., • Adaptability: Able to quickly pivot and find solutions in a dynamic, fast-changing environment. Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by variety., • Creative Problem-Solving: Resourceful and innovative, especially when working with limited resources. You see constraints as a prompt to think differently., • Coachable & Open to Feedback: You actively seek feedback, take it on board without defensiveness, and adapt your approach to improve. You see learning as ongoing, not optional., • Self-Motivated: You're proactive, take ownership, and don't wait to be told what to do next. When something needs doing, you just do it., • Team Player: Willing to take on any task, connect with colleagues, and work collaboratively under pressure. You support those around you as naturally as you deliver your own work., • Excitement for a Startup Environment: Passionate about growing with a small, mission-driven company. You embrace the messiness of a startup and contribute to building something from the ground up. You support the vision, mission, and values of Zonova., • Respectful & Collaborative: Kind and considerate, fostering an inclusive and positive team culture. A strong communicator who is flexible and keeps people informed. Requirements Essential • Either: PhD or EngD in a relevant discipline (chemistry, polymer science, materials science, or similar) and/or relevant industry experience., • A track record of getting things done: managing your own projects, meeting timelines, and working independently, • Willingness to learn and carry out antimicrobial testing on samples you produce (full training and support provided), • Positive, solution-focused attitude - you are the kind of person who finds a way, not a reason why not Nice to Have • Hands-on industry experience in chemistry and polymer science, specifically involving the manipulation and with bulk and surface modification of polymers., • Experience in a startup or fast-paced R&D environment, • Prior experience working with and handling live microorganisms, • Some experience supporting or mentoring others in a R&D team setting How to Apply - Please Read Carefully Please send both your CV and a short video (3 minutes max) to recruitment@zonovatech.com. What to Cover in Your Video • What excites you about this opportunity at Zonova?, • What's one project or experience you're proud of - and why?, • Tell us about a time something went wrong in your work. What happened, and what did you do?, • What kind of team culture do you thrive in?, • What are you hoping to learn, grow, or create in this role? Tips • We're not looking for polished or rehearsed - just you, speaking honestly., • No fancy editing needed - a simple recording from your phone or laptop is perfect., • Feel free to bring in personal anecdotes, metaphors, or visuals if that's your style. Zonova is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
