Research & Application Development Scientist

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

We are looking for a a 6-month fixed term Junior Research and Application Development Scientist position within Arxada’s  Home  and  Personal  Care team  based  in  Manchester.  This  laboratory-based  hands-on  role contributes directly to cutting-edge new development projects by supporting Arxada’s active innovation programs  through  formulation  development,  performance  evaluation  and  measurement  of  prototype formulations, actives and/or novel product preservation technologies.

The role will incorporate experimental  work  to  understand  the  fundamental  interactions  and  impact  on  performance  between product  ingredients,  substrates  and  testing  methodologies  and  some  product  development  work  on active innovation projects, with training, direction and supervision provided by expert staff.

The role will provide  the opportunity  to  contribute  to  business-critical  short term  deliverables  and to  Arxada’s long- term  strategic  vision.  The  role  would  best  suit  an  enthusiastic,  versatile  chemistry  or  chemical engineering,  physics,  cosmetic  science  or  formulation  scientist  with  a  particular  interest  in  physical chemistry and formulation science.

Essential Job Functions:

• Contribute to the development and launch of novel home and personal care products and/or technologies within a fast-moving innovation project framework
• To participate and contribute to site and departmental safety activities. To support initiatives to improve working practices and to help raise awareness of safety across the organisation.
• Keep up to date lab-book, monthly report of work and write-up summary of findings. Participate in team meetings and stakeholder presentations as required and be prepared to present and discuss own programme of work
• Exposure to research in industry. Candidates will be introduced to the wider functions and roles at Arxada.
• Qualification and Experience:
• - Experience of working in a chemistry laboratory environment, either through
• employment or academic background. Evidence of proactivity and versatility in
• experience record.
• Physical chemistry and formulation science. Ideally a knowledge or background in soft matter physics or surfactant chemistry. Strong focus/background in handling and drawing conclusions from experimental data.
• Willingness to learn and adopt new skills. Ability to hold self and others to a quality, on-time delivery.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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