Polymer Scientist

About Radiant Matter

Radiant Matter is a VC backed start-up developing a new generation of colourful material solutions for the circular economy. Similar to the dazzling, glittering colours seen in nature - such as peacock feathers, jewel beetles and hummingbird feathers - we engineer bio-inspired and structurally coloured materials that are non-toxic, biodegradable and low carbon, without the use of plastics, metals, minerals or pigments.

We are a small team of visionaries and problem solvers driven by purpose and the goal of creating a resilient and sustainable future. We combine our diverse experiences and expertise in material science, engineering and design to develop solutions to real-world colour and material problems.

The opportunity

Are you up for the challenge of creating solutions that are in harmony with our natural world, disrupting humanity's dependence on petrochemicals, metals and minerals? You have the opportunity to join Radiant Matter at an exciting stage of our growth and contribute to the future of our platform technology.

We are looking for a Polymer Systems Scientist to join our R&D team working on material development, manufacturing and product development.

If you have any experience in any of the following, we would love to hear from you:

• In-depth knowledge of colloidal systems
• Materials processing or manufacturing techniques
• Working with nanoparticle systems
• Experience working with bio-polymers
• Knowledge of self-assembly
• Surface Chemistry
• Knowledge of liquid crystals
• Structural colouration & optics
• Working in industry
• Microscopy, spectroscopy, electrostatic measurements, liquid processing techniques
• Working in a start-up environment
• Masters or PhD in Chemistry, Materials science, Physics, or related sciences

Our ideal candidate would be:

• Mission-driven, to produce materials without negative impact on the environment
• Action-orientated, taking on challenges with drive and enthusiasm
• A born collaborator, can work dynamically and collaboratively within a small and growing team
• A problem-solver, able to quickly take on new ideas with the ambition to challenge traditional thinking
• Self-motivated and thriving within tight deadlines
• Logical and analytical and can move from high-level ideas to detailed execution with exceptional organisational skills
• Dynamic, open-minded and flexible, someone ready to adapt and change direction to follow the science and market needs

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development of our material platform and work closely with the Science and Engineering team members
• Research and development of:
• our material platform technology based on biopolymers, liquid crystals, nanoparticles, bioinspiration and structural colour
• existing product samples, iterating and improving material to industry standard.
• new material technologies to build into our platform
• scaling technology from lab to production
• Production of product samples for external showcases
• Implement sustainable and circular supply chain strategies
• Organising internal and third-party material & product testing
• Support CTO and science team in IP development, managing the lab and equipment
• Contribute to R&D project planning with key milestones and deliverables with risk management and costings

Technical experience required:

• Background in Chemistry, Materials science, Physics, or related sciences
• Background in working with polymer systems
• Computer literate (to process and present data, write reports and procedures etc)
• We are open to a range of experience (2-10+ years) depending on the candidate

Nice to haves:

• ‘Systems Architect’
• Masters or PhD in relevant area
• Expertise in one or more:
• biomaterials and their manufacturing
• in-depth knowledge of polymers
• structural colouration & optics
• knowledge of liquid crystals
• knowledge of self-assembly
• materials processing and manufacturing techniques used in industry
• Experience in one or more:
• working in industry
• development of polymer systems
• working with bio-polymers
• microscopy, spectroscopy, electrostatic measurements, liquid processing techniques
• working in a start-up environment
• with managing teams

Application Process:

Radiant Matter is looking for unique candidates and considers every application independently. If you do not meet all the requirements above but believe you could be a good fit for this role and our company, we encourage you to submit a cover letter telling us why, and we are happy to chat. We are a disability-positive employer; if you feel comfortable, please let us know if you have a disability so we can adjust our hiring process for you.

Submit your CV and cover letter to careers@radiantmatter.co

We will keep this role open, as we may be hiring more than one person in this position, so please get in touch even after the close date.

You must be able to prove that you have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to sponsor visa applications.

Job Type: Full-time, flexible hybrid working (4+ days will be needed in the lab)

Salary: 35,000 - 45,000 dependent on experience, with the possibility of share options

Desired Start Date: January 2025

Location: Scale Space, West London