R&D Scientist - Sustainable Coatings & Packaging Technologies

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially minded PhD-level scientist with expertise in coatings, polymers, formulations, biomaterials, packaging materials, or related technologies to help develop the next generation of sustainable coating systems and functional materials. The primary focus of the role will be the development of technologies for food packaging and food-contact applications, with opportunities to contribute to healthcare and other industrial sectors as Metalchemy’s technology platform expands. You will work across a broad range of materials and substrates including paper, fibre-based packaging, cellulose materials, biopolymers, compostable materials, synthetic polymers, composites, and coated materials. Working closely with senior scientists, customers, manufacturers, academic collaborators, and industry partners, you will play a key role in delivering customer projects, grant-funded innovation programmes, publications, patents, and commercially deployable technologies. This is a high-impact role offering significant responsibility, rapid professional development, and clear progression opportunities. Within your first year, you will be expected to contribute independently to research programmes, support multiple concurrent client and innovation projects, and become a trusted technical contributor across scientific, customer-facing, and collaborative activities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to progressively take ownership of technology platforms, strategic customer projects, grant-funded programmes, and external partnerships while helping shape the future direction of Metalchemy’s innovation pipeline. This role is designed for ambitious early-career scientists who want to grow rapidly within a high-growth technology company. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to take increasing ownership of technology platforms, customer projects, publications, patents, and funded innovation programmes, with progression based on performance, contribution, and business growth. Responsibilities Lead and deliver R&D programmes focused on sustainable coatings, food & packaging technologies, antimicrobial materials, and advanced material systems, generating high-quality scientific outputs that support customer projects, grant-funded innovation programmes, publications, intellectual property, and commercial deployment.Develop, optimise, and validate coatings, bio-coatings, formulations, composites, colloidal systems, and functional materials across a range of substrates including paper, fibre-based packaging, biopolymers, compostable materials, and synthetic polymers, ensuring scientific rigour and technical excellence throughout the development process.Manage and contribute to multiple concurrent customer, grant-funded, and internal innovation projects, delivering technical milestones, project objectives, reports, and experimental outputs to a high standard and within agreed timelines.Support customer projects through technical leadership, product validation, application development, trial design, data interpretation, and the preparation of technical deliverables that enable successful project outcomes and long-term customer relationships.Contribute to the preparation, delivery, and reporting of grant-funded programmes, collaborative R&D projects, and innovation funding applications, helping secure and successfully execute externally funded innovation activities.Prepare and deliver technical reports, customer presentations, scientific publications, conference papers, white papers, case studies, and dissemination materials, effectively communicating technical outcomes to scientific, industrial, and commercial audiences.Build strong relationships with customers, academic collaborators, manufacturers, research organisations, and industry partners while contributing to technology commercialisation, strategic partnerships, intellectual property generation, and the continued growth of Metalchemy.

Essential PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Food Packaging, Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomaterials, Coatings Science, or a related disciplineStrong experimental research experience gained through doctoral studies Experience in at least one of the following areas: Coatings and formulationsPolymer science and engineeringPackaging materialsFunctional surfacesBiomaterialsActive or antimicrobial packagingColloidal systems and dispersions Excellent scientific writing, reporting, and presentation skillsStrong data analysis and problem-solving abilitiesAbility to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneouslyExcellent communication and stakeholder engagement skillsInterest in translating scientific innovation into commercially successful products Highly Desirable Research focused on active packaging, food-contact materials, barrier coatings, antimicrobial technologies, bio-coatings, cellulose-based materials, or sustainable packagingExperience developing coatings, formulations, composites, functional materials, or advanced material systemsExperience with silver-based materials, antimicrobial additives, nanomaterials, colloids, dispersions, or surface-engineered materialsExperience working with paper-based packaging, fibre-based materials, biopolymers, compostable materials, synthetic polymers, or composite substratesKnowledge of food-contact regulations, packaging compliance, and food safety requirementsExperience with industrial collaborations, grant-funded research, publications, patents, or technology commercialisationExperience using Design of Experiments (DoE), statistical analysis, machine learning tools, or AI-enabled R&D workflows

Location: Lambeth, South West London (laboratory-based/in-person role)Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm (42.5 hours per week)Salary: £33,000-£36,000 gross per year depending on experience, with strong progression opportunities based on performance and contribution.

About Metalchemy Metalchemy is an award-winning UK deep-tech company developing and commercialising patented sustainable coating and advanced materials technologies for food packaging and other high-impact applications. Our mission is to create measurable environmental impact through the successful commercialisation of science. We develop antimicrobial and functional materials that help reduce food waste, improve product performance, and enable more sustainable packaging and supply chains. As a high-growth, commercially driven business, we operate at the intersection of materials science, product innovation, manufacturing, and customer deployment. Our technologies are protected by intellectual property, supported through grant-funded innovation programmes, and developed in collaboration with customers, manufacturers, universities, and industry partners. We are building a modern R&D environment that combines scientific expertise with Design of Experiments (DoE), AI-enabled workflows, and data-driven decision-making to accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and scale impact. At Metalchemy, we believe the greatest environmental impact comes not from research alone, but from successfully translating scientific innovation into products that create real value for customers and society., Contribute to the successful delivery of 3-5 concurrent innovation projects across coatings, packaging, and advanced materialsDevelop increasing ownership of specific research programmes, technology platforms, or customer projectsDeliver high-quality technical reports, presentations, publications, and experimental outputs that support decision-making and product developmentGenerate robust scientific data that contributes to customer validation, commercial deployment, intellectual property generation, and business growthContribute to grant applications, funded innovation programmes, patents, scientific publications, and customer-facing case studiesPresent technical findings confidently to customers, industry partners, funding bodies, collaborators, and internal stakeholdersBuild strong relationships with customers, academic collaborators, manufacturers, and industry partnersBecome a trusted technical contributor across both scientific and commercial activitiesDemonstrate the ability to translate research into practical, commercially relevant solutions that create measurable impact Why Join Metalchemy? Join an award-winning deep-tech company developing patented technologies with measurable environmental and commercial impactWork directly with founders, senior scientists, customers, manufacturers, universities, and strategic partnersGain exposure to the full innovation lifecycle, from laboratory research and product development through to customer deployment and commercial scale-upContribute to patents, publications, grant-funded programmes, customer projects, and new product launchesWork across diverse technologies, materials, and applications including food packaging, coatings, biomaterials, healthcare, and sustainability-focused innovationDevelop expertise in modern R&D approaches including Design of Experiments (DoE), AI-enabled workflows, data-driven experimentation, and technology commercialisationTake on significant responsibility and ownership from an early stage in your careerBenefit from strong opportunities for progression into senior technical, innovation, and project leadership roles based on performance and contributionBe part of a high-growth, commercially driven company where scientific innovation is translated into real-world products and measurable environmental impact30 days annual leave including bank holidays