Synthomer plc is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products. At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy Purpose of the Job: Carries out practical laboratory tasks to assist with new product development initiatives, customer inquiries, and application support for the Specialty Vinyl Polymers Business. Cultivates and utilises a solid understanding of specific application areas to ensure the successful execution of technical support activities. Operates with limited supervision as part of a team of technical professionals and maintains regular communication with different functions and stakeholders. Main Accountabilities: Shows a strong dedication to safety and health excellence by demonstrating proper behaviours, proactively addressing safety issues, and using available tools and systems to improve safety standards. Engages in hands-on laboratory work to support technical projects and customer service efforts, ensuring that deadlines and quality standards are met. Operates the PVC polymerisation pilot plant safely, generating dependable PVC data for stakeholders. May manage smaller technical projects with supervision. Efficiently and safely completes assigned tasks within the Applications Laboratory environment. Plays a key role in maintaining a clean and safe laboratory space. Prepares and analyses laboratory samples to support the growth of the SVP business. Keeps detailed records of laboratory activities, discusses results with the supervisor, and occasionally prepares reports. Develops and maintains a strong foundational knowledge of relevant polymer technologies and their applications. Skills/Knowledge: Shows a solid understanding of the terminology, principles, and techniques relevant to a specific technical field. Can grasp and apply established concepts within a technical area effectively. Possesses a fundamental awareness of industry norms and practices. Knows how to adhere to lab safety protocols to perform tasks safely. Recognises chemical hazards in their work environment and manages chemicals and waste appropriately. Has a basic awareness of Process Safety relevant to their work area. Capable of following existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Risk Assessments with little assistance. Fosters positive working relationships within the team. Treats colleagues with fairness and consistency. Earns the confidence and trust of peers. Welcomes constructive feedback regarding effectiveness and work styles and adjusts their approach accordingly. Keeps team members updated on their needs and ability to meet expectations. Can identify suitable solutions to clearly defined problems using logical reasoning and data-driven analysis. Evaluates ideas critically based on their technical viability and expertise in their field. Actively seeks input from both internal and external customers regarding issues and possible solutions. Educational requirements: A solid educational background is essential, with a preference for A-level qualifications in Chemistry. Having prior experience in a laboratory setting would be beneficial. Location and Travel requirements : Harlow (UK), 5 days per week is required Monday – Friday as this is a largely lab-based role Why Synthomer? We are ambitious! We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top-quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety. We believe in high challenge, high support! We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day 1. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure. We personalize our approach to development! At Synthomer, you won't find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We'll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.