Role:
Graduate Formulation Chemist - Coatings
About AssetCool
AssetCool is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the global energy transition - grid congestion. By combining cutting-edge grid robotics with breakthrough materials science, our technology transforms the physical performance of the grid in situ, increasing current-carrying capacity by up to 30%, at just 5% of the cost and in a tenth of the time compared to conventional approaches.
In addition to enhancing capacity, our solutions tackle other grid constraints including corrosion, electrical noise, and enable the collection of high-value data to build accurate, predictive digital twins. This technology is proving transformative and is being adopted at an accelerating pace, with deployments across Canada, Slovenia, the UK, and the USA, and a strong global deployment pipeline.
AssetCool is a fast-growing company with plans to more than double in size over the next six months. Backed by international investors from the US, mainland Europe, and the UK, we are proud to be one of the most innovation-focused companies in the UK energy sector.
We're looking for ambitious, mission-driven individuals who are excited to work hard alongside their colleagues to build and deploy world-leading technology that tackles some of the planet's most urgent infrastructure challenges.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Formulation Chemist to join our growing research and development team. You will be responsible for the design and development of new functional coatings for overhead powerlines, including those to be integrated with our application robotics system. This is a predominantly lab-based role, in which you will produce novel coating formulations, test and characterise them to internal and international standards, along a pipeline to commercial deployment.
You will work closely with experienced coatings and formulation chemists, as well as a wide range of roboticists and engineers. Strong chemistry knowledge and lab skills are required to understand a wide and expanding range of coating technologies, with the exploration of new materials and dynamic problem-solving skills required.
Key Responsibilities
Development of Novel Functional Coatings
* Designing a range of coatings from first principles through to laboratory manufacture.
* Applying literature knowledge and learning to new formulation space.
* Application and characterisation of new coating formulations; benchmarking and comparative testing; testing to international standards; analytical characterisation.
* Development of research-level coatings through a productisation pathway for commercial deployment.
Integration with Cutting-Edge Application Technology
* Working closely with Roboticists and Engineers to integrate new coatings with retrofit application technologies.
* Being point of contact for engineers working with our coating technology.
* Iterative and interlocked development with engineering team.
* Supporting pilot scale deployment and manufacture.
Production and Communication of Scientific Literature and IP
* Writing of internal and external technical reports and literature, patents and IP documentation.
* Communication of coating chemistry to internal and external audiences.
Health and Safety
* Ensuring safe working practices in laboratory at all times.
* Generation and implementation of risk assessments and COSHH assessments.
* Enthusiastic contribution to continuous laboratory improvement.
Required Skills & Experience
* Degree (or higher) in Chemistry or Materials Chemistry (ideally MSc/MChem/PhD)
* Experience in formulation (coatings, inks, dyes, lubricants
etc.
) or significant synthetic/materials practical work.
* Good working knowledge of materials and polymer chemistry, including characterisation.
* Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
* Strong investigative and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Skills & Experience
* 3+ years of industrial coatings experience.
* Experience of industrial coatings in harsh environments.
Why Join AssetCool?
* Work on groundbreaking technology revolutionizing the power grid.
* Fast-growing startup with significant industry traction and large-scale projects.
* Collaborative, innovation-driven team with exciting career growth opportunities.
* Competitive salary, and flexible work options
We know that women and other underrepresented groups can sometimes feel they need to meet every single requirement listed in a job description. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be exactly who we're looking for, either for this role or another opportunity within our team.
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We're committed to building an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability or any specific requirements and need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.