CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.
Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.
From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.
CPI has an exciting opportunity for a Research Scientist to join the established Colloid Science team within the National Formulation Centre based at NETPark in Sedgefield.
The Colloids team win and deliver a broad range of commercial and collaborative R&D projects in the areas of food & feed, agritech, home & personal care, paints & coatings and pharmaceuticals.
In this role, you will contribute to the delivery and realisation of project work through preparation, development, research, design, testing and analysis work in line with team and technology centre requirements. You will work using your own initiative and under supervision from your manager and senior colleagues (appropriate to role level**), assisting with development and improvement activities. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects within a team of industry experts.
Some exciting projects that the team have recently been working on are:
CROPSAFE - Crop protection strategies for the transition to environmentally-friendly agriculture.
Calysta - Converting methane to FeedKind protein for fishmeal.
ForTaMP - Formulated Technology applied to Materials and Products.
Key tasks
Key tasks in the Research Scientist – Colloid Science role will include:
To set up, plan and execute experimental / pilot scale runs and analyse, interpret and report the results of these within agreed timescales and standards and in accordance with project requirements.
To be responsible for providing clearly documented records of technical data, decisions, methodologies, calculations and software use in an agreed format.
To present and formally report experimental conclusions and supporting data for internal peer review and submission to clients, to agreed timescales and standards.
To take ownership in agreeing weekly workplans with line manager, project manager(s) and other relevant stakeholders, and delivering plan to agreed schedule.
To be responsible for the maintenance and calibration of equipment to ensure it operates in a safe and efficient manner and is available to meet customer needs.
To keep self up-to-date with developments in areas relevant to role, and/or legislative and SHE related changes, ensuring understanding of these and any associated new best practice, methods or techniques.
To actively engage in hazard studies / SRA studies and discussions, as appropriate to role level.
To support in Business Development and Bid Proposal activities, to contribute to proposal / project development and direct customer engagement.
For full details of this position please download the attached job description under Job Details.
Essential
The successful candidate will be educated to HNC or Foundation Degree level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/Engineering discipline plus relevant industrial experience, or educated to Degree level (or equivalent) in a Scientific/Engineering discipline, and:
Research Scientist 1
Possess foundation of technical knowledge and some underpinning knowledge in Colloid Science, as well as evidence of technical problem solving.
Exhibit professional knowledge of principles and practices in Colloid Science, as well as experience of practical, technical-based work gained in academic or industrial environments.
Have the ability to apply limited theoretical and practical scientific/engineering methods to contribute to business activities.
Be learning to apply own judgement and initiative within standard engineering or scientific practices, as well as an understanding of when to seek advice from colleagues.
Demonstrate evidence of knowledge sharing and network building practice across teams or groups.
Research Scientist 2
Possess technical expertise through theory and a good underpinning knowledge in Colloid Science, as well as evidence of technical problem solving.
Exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in colloid science, gained in academic or industrial environments.
Have the ability to apply theoretical and practical scientific/engineering methods to contribute to business activities.
Have the confidence to use own judgement and initiative within standard engineering / scientific practices.
Demonstrate evidence of knowledge sharing and network building practice across teams or groups.
Be able to provide examples of actively utilising cross-team collaboration to achieve desired results.
Desirable
It would be great if you also had:
Membership of a relevant professional body.
Experience in the formulation of products in the agritech, home & personal care or food technology areas
*Research Scientist 1 - £26,000 - £34,000, Research Scientist 2 - £32,500 - £40,500
**See job descriptions for further details
This role is fixed term until January 2027.
At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:
Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
Generous pension scheme
Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
Flexible working
Learning and Development Opportunities
Free parking
Find out more about our culture and benefits.