Senior Research Chemist

Senior Research Chemist

Permanent role

£35k-45k

Preston

We are working with a leading innovator in foam concentrates used in firefighting, their products out perform existing products in a range of areas and they are also keen to work in identification of new components and materials for use in this product range.

The Senior Research Chemist will work in this area, you will be embedded in the research of new technology of foam formulation and providing technical support and advice to colleagues in sales, marketing and production.

What you’ll do:

• Maintain high safety standards at all times in the lab, test site and other parts of the site.
• Lead development projects aimed at new fluorine-free foam concentrates that out-perform existing products in fire performance as assessed by UL162, EN 1568:2018 and LASTfire specifications, with acceptable cost and physicalproperties, satisfying the agreed budget and timescales, and complying with all necessary company procedures.
• Develop scientific knowledge in all areas related to fire fighting foam formulations, including physical chemistry of surfactants, solvents, polymers. Use laboratory equipment such as rheometer, FTIR and microscope. Draw experimentalresults together to form a broad understanding of the underlying science.
• Maintain an awareness of external work relevant to fire-fighting foam, through patent searching, literature review, Conferences and meetings.
• Identify novel foam components that provide good foam properties and fire performance in fresh and sea water.
• Develop knowledge of standard fire test methods and conduct large fire tests. Use lab-based tests where possible to predict fire performance
• Provide all information required for product launch, including formulation details, manufacturing process, specification, technical performance data, tox and ecotox data.
• Act in a professional manner at all times. Maintain effective relationships with personnel from key departments -production, sales, quality, test site and R&D in US, UK and France. Pick up best practice from other R & D personnel.
• Actively seek opportunities for personal development and acquisition of new skills. Contribute new ideas for consideration as future R D projects

Your background:

• Minimum qualification required is a BSc in Chemistry and either a further degree in surface and colloid or polymerchemistry or industrial experience of at least 5 years in formulation development of water based systems using surfactants, solvents and polymers.
• To be able to lead a development project using a scientific approach from initial ideas, through testing and development stages to trials, launch and commercialisation.
• A high standard of practical technical ability.
• Computer literate - to be competent in all programmes within the Microsoft Office suite (Word/Excel/Powerpoint)
• Organisation, accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Presentation Skills

On this occasion, LiCa Scientific is acting as an employment agency.