Scientific Research and Development Manager
Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, United Kingdom
Keracol Limited
Posted 1 day ago
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Full Job Description
Keracol is looking to recruit an enthusiastic, detail-oriented scientist to join us as a Scientific Research and Development Manager. The successful candidate will provide project management of the portfolio of R&D activities in Keracol, working with CTO Professor Richard Blackburn and the research team. The right person will be responsible for prioritisation of researcher work streams, developing Scopes of Work and project costings, working with external partners in a commercial setting, leading client projects and client-facing activities, and reporting and producing project KPIs to the Board and CEO. They will also be an experienced scientist who can provide technical support and contribute to scientific research across all Keracol R&D projects. This is a permanent position with a 3-month probation period.
Our company: Keracol is a spin-out company from The University of Leeds. Our core value is sustainability with performance. We combine high-end physical science with innovative applications to produce natural and sustainable hair dyes, colour cosmetics, hair care, skin care, and sun care products. Our expertise spans organic chemistry, colour chemistry, polymer chemistry, extraction technology, effect assessment, coloration technology, and natural products chemistry. Keracol develops novel approaches to extracting active molecules from plant sources, fractionating and purifying them for multiple applications, both existing and novel. We use renewable and waste materials as sources of extracts, producing extracts from raw materials that do not compete with land for food crops. Our extracts are formulated into consumer beauty products, addressing unmet needs driven by consumer demand for natural and renewable ingredients. We collaborate with multinational partners on research projects and products for Keracol’s own range.
Keracol is growing and offers excellent opportunities for employee loyalty, including an attractive salary, a company shares scheme, and a comfortable work environment.
Our laboratory and office are located in Nexus, a £40m state-of-the-art building on The University of Leeds campus.
Salary: £45,000 to £50,000+ depending on qualifications and experience.
Closing date: 23/05/2025, early applications encouraged.
Applications: Please include a full CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification, submitted via the LinkedIn Job Application Submission Process. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Visa requirements: Keracol cannot sponsor visa applications. The position is only open to British and Irish citizens, individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or those with the right to work in the UK without a visa.
Key Requirements
* Experience in project management in both small and large teams.
* Experience in developing Scopes of Work, project costings, reporting, and KPIs.
* Monitoring workload, project prioritisation, and resourcing.
* Providing technical support and scientific contributions to commercial R&D projects.
* Experience working with external partners and leading client projects and activities.
* Experience in reporting and producing KPIs for the Board and CEO.
* Developing and nurturing a network of partners (supply chain, raw materials, ecosystem) to facilitate R&D delivery.
* Building networks with suppliers and technical resources.
* Leading certifications and grant applications.
Desirable Experience
* Filing safety assessments.
* Development, optimisation, and scale-up of plant material extraction processes, testing, and data analysis.
* Formulation development for hair, skin, and hair coloration products.
* Sustainability metrics assessment.
* Stability and performance testing of ingredients and formulations.
* Analytical chemistry work for research project analysis.
* Data interpretation and quality improvement identification.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
* Master’s degree in science or engineering.
* Experience in project development, costing, and management.
* Qualifications or certifications in project management.
* Research experience in a commercial R&D laboratory.
* Understanding of laboratory safety procedures (e.g., COSHH, risk assessments).
* Creative problem-solving skills.
* Strong teamwork, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to meet deadlines.
* Effective communication of research results in oral and written formats.
* Experience in chemical production and scale-up.
* Use of advanced analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MS).
* Innovative mindset and ability to generate new ideas.
* Experience in natural product extraction, purification, and characterization technologies.
* Knowledge of sustainability and green chemistry principles.
* Experience working in an industrial environment.
* Business acumen relevant to the industry.
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