We’re looking for an experienced formulation scientist to join our Agrochemicals team as a Senior Formulation Scientist, driving the development and commercialisation of advanced formulation additives.
In this role, you’ll work as part of a highly skilled global team, solving complex formulation challenges, supporting customer needs, and contributing to long-term technology and product strategy. You’ll bring deep hands-on expertise across a wide range of formulation types and play a key role in shaping next-generation solutions for the crop protection market.
The position is based in the UK at our Ellesmere Port site and will require some domestic and international travel (typically 10–20%).
Responsibilities
* Advanced Formulation Development
o Lead the development of commercially viable formulation additives that meet performance, cost, manufacturing and regulatory requirements.
o Apply expert knowledge across EC, SC, SE, EW, ME, SL, OD, CS, WG, WP and other liquid and dry formulation systems.
o Act as a technical reference point for complex challenges including long‑term stability, multi‑active systems, raw material substitution and regulatory‑driven reformulation.
o Design and interpret advanced laboratory, application and performance testing programmes (CIPAC + internal methods).
* Innovation & Industry Insight
o Maintain strong awareness of industry trends, competitor technologies, patents and scientific literature.
o Monitor regulatory developments and assess implications for additive design, raw materials and product portfolios.
o Contribute technical insight to longer‑term technology and product development strategies.
* Laboratory Work
o Perform advanced formulation work and application testing with a high degree of independence.
o Generate, analyse and interpret analytical and performance data for existing and new products.
o Produce R&D samples and ensure accurate documentation of experimental work.
o Prepare detailed technical reports and communicate results clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
o Support commercialisation through performance blends, formulation examples and technical documentation.
o Collaborate with production and supply chain teams to troubleshoot manufacturing and quality issues.
* Customer Interaction
o Provide technical input to customer and distributor activities, including data interpretation and formulation recommendations.
o Support customer trials, issue resolution and technical discussions through sample preparation, data packages or remote interaction.
o Participate in occasional customer visits or external engagements aligned with specific technical objectives.
Key Requirements
* PhD or MSc in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Agronomy, Plant Physiology or a related field.
* 8–10+ years’ hands-on experience in agrochemical formulation, with deep expertise in formulation additives and surfactant systems.
* Strong understanding of how formulation components influence stability, wetting, penetration, dispersion and application performance.
* Proven ability to independently solve complex formulation challenges and provide authoritative technical recommendations.
* Solid working knowledge of CIPAC methods, formulation equipment and industry-standard characterisation techniques.
* Experience with biologicals, seed treatments, adjuvants, fertilizers or micronutrient formulations (desirable).
* Awareness of regulatory-driven formulation change and next-generation, sustainable formulation strategies.
* Ability to mentor junior scientists through technical guidance and example.
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