Senior Polymer Scientist

1d1 day ago

Shellworks

London, GB · Full-time · £50,000 – £60,000

About this role

At Shellworks, we’re on a mission to make plastic waste a thing of the past. We’re creating a new generation of sustainable, high-performing materials designed to disappear. As Senior Polymer Scientist, lead the development of proprietary polymer blends to tackle urgent environmental challenges.

Lead end-to-end development of polymer blends and additive packages, expanding core material scope to hit commercial performance targets. Engineer formulations robust during product shelf-life but rapidly biodegradable at end-of-life. Develop predictive frameworks correlating lab data to real-world machine settings, eliminating trial-and-error.

Expand internal testing suite connecting microstructure analysis like crystallinity and melt stability to macroscopic failure modes. Collaborate daily with manufacturing and engineering teams for manufacture-ready formulations optimised for industrial-scale extrusion and molding. Act as technical bridge between design and commercial teams, translating requirements into chemical specifications.

Join a tight-knit, mission-driven team passionate about sustainability and innovation. Enjoy growth and development opportunities as we scale, regular socials, and daily catered lunch. Work 4 days in our London office, 1 day from home, on something that matters.

Requirements

Holds a Masters / PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field, with at least 2 years of industry experience
Solution focused, results-driven mindset with strong willingness to learn, curiosity, and initiative
Deep command of polymer chemistry, connecting rheology, crystallinity, thermal behaviour, and melt stability to processing outcomes
Comprehensive knowledge of polymer science, formulation and analysis, linking microstructure to macroscopic enhancements
Independent decision maker, confident operating in ambiguity while driving clarity and momentum
DIY / can do mentality, not focused on boundaries but interdisciplinary problem solving

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end development of proprietary polymer blends and additive packages, expanding core material's scope to hit commercial performance targets
Engineer formulations that remain robust during product shelf-life but rapidly biodegradable at end-of-life
Develop a predictive framework correlating lab-based rheological and thermal data to real-world machine settings
Expand internal testing suite to connect microstructure analysis (crystallinity, melt stability) to macroscopic failure modes
Collaborate daily with manufacturing and engineering teams to ensure manufacture-ready, stable, repeatable formulations for industrial-scale extrusion and molding
Act as technical bridge between design and commercial teams, translating customer requirements into chemical specifications
Jump in wherever needed, from vetting sustainable feedstock suppliers to researching new opportunity spaces