Placement Student: Formulation — Colloid Science / Materials Science / Nanomaterials / Automation & Digital / Process Chemistry
Join and apply for the Placement Student: Formulation — Colloid Science / Materials Science / Nanomaterials / Automation & Digital / Process Chemistry role at CPI.
About CPI
CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability. Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products. From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.
Why this role is important for CPI’s work
We have an exciting opportunity available for students working towards a degree in science or engineering disciplines to join the Formulation team in one of 4 technical teams* based at our state‑of‑the‑art facilities. Through the development of innovative approaches and processes you could help CPI to solve some of the biggest challenges the industry face. You will have the opportunity to be involved in many varied and exciting projects (from lab scale right through to pilot scale) using processes to help make products which are more sustainable and environmentally responsible. One position is available within each of the teams below** giving you in depth exposure to formulation disciplines at work, in the team you apply for (make note on your cover letter which team(s) you would be interested in working for). Due to CPI’s collaborative nature, each opportunity will provide you with experience of working across multidisciplinary teams within the Formulation technology team, supporting colleagues on activities within the Colloid Science, Materials Science, Nanomaterials, Automation & Digital and Process Chemistry teams to support both commercial and internal projects. Your contributions in any of these roles will help CPI support the UK in achieving its Net Zero targets and make the world a healthier place!
* Colloid Science—under the colloid science team, you will gain experience in developing and optimising colloidal systems such as gels, emulsions and aerosols. Your role will be applying this knowledge over sectors in pharmaceuticals, food, personal care, agritech and coatings. You will learn how to synthesise, optimise and assess the performance of colloidal systems using the latest scientific techniques.
* Materials Science—through a diverse portfolio of projects you will gain experience across a spectrum of industry applications including sustainable packaging, battery materials, healthcare, personal care and additive manufacturing (3D printing). As part of a multidisciplinary team you will be working in our state‑of‑the‑art laboratories to formulate and fabricate next‑generation materials, applying the scientific knowledge you have gained to date from your chemical, physical or engineering degree.
* Nanomaterials— as part of the nanomaterials team you will gain valuable experience working within the batteries and conductive nanomaterials sector. You will contribute to the advancement of the next‑generation of energy material technologies at our start‑of‑the‑art AMBIC facility located on NETPark in Sedgefield. As part of the team you could be working in areas such as liquid polymers, synthesis optimisation and scale‑up of energetic materials, electrochemical testing of energy devices and electrode characterisation.
* Automation & Digital—our team brings together advanced automation and cutting‑edge digital tools to accelerate innovation in advanced materials and manufacturing processes.
o In the Automation area you will work primarily in the laboratory, operating and programming robotic platforms that run high‑throughput formulation experiments across batteries, home and personal care and pharmaceutical applications. These placements are hands‑on and involve working directly with advanced automated systems, including mobile collaborative robots, that translate traditional experimental processes into streamlined, digitally enabled manufacturing processes.
o In the Digital area you will focus on computational and data‑driven approaches to solving scientific challenges. You will work mainly at the desktop, developing, coding and applying machine learning methods, smart technologies and advanced data analytics to uncover insights from data generated by robotic platforms as well as from broader consortia and project datasets.
* Process Chemistry & Scale‑up—our process chemistry team optimises and scales up processes for economic, safe and sustainable manufacturing. We use a range of liquid and powder process rigs, outfitted with advanced analytics, to optimise processes for diverse industries including batteries, recycling, pharmaceuticals, agritech and FMCG.
With one of the areas taking on 2 placements—area dependent on applicant interest.
The person we are seeking
Candidates will be educated to A‑Level (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Biologics or a related subject and studying towards a degree in one of the above disciplines or a related area. It would be advantageous if candidates had some experience in a chemistry, engineering or digital environment.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, have effective interpersonal skills and be willing to learn to gain hands on/ practical experience. The ideal candidates will be committed to and actively seek opportunities to develop themselves within these new and exciting roles.
You will have demonstrable skills in technical problem solving, with the ability to demonstrate evidence of knowledge sharing and network-building practice across teams or groups. You will be able to apply your own judgement and initiative to the role, as well as an understanding of when to seek advice from colleagues.
These positions would suit students whose course includes a sandwich year in industry, or those able to take a placement opportunity in industry between academic years.
The Company
At CPI we work with our partners to translate inventions into products and processes that enhance health and well‑being, protect and improve our environment and increase productivity across industries.
What does CPI offer you?
* Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – plus a holiday purchasing scheme
* Generous pension scheme
* Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
* Flexible working
* Learning and Development Opportunities
* Free parking
Find out more about our additional information.
Please note this role is fixed term for 12 months, beginning in July 2026.
Please ensure to stipulate in your application which area you would like your application to be considered for, to ensure that this is directed to the appropriate hiring manager for consideration—if you are applying for the Automation & Digital area, please also specify if you would like your application to be considered for Automation or for Digital.
Please note, we cannot offer sponsorship for this role. CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.
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