Job description

Job title: Lab Chemist

Reporting to: Chief Scientific Officer

Kelpi is a highly innovative, purpose-driven start-up forging a new generation of low carbon biomaterials, addressing the issues around plastic pollution and climate change. Our mission is to replace single-use, fossil-based plastics with smart, recyclable, and compostable biomaterials made from seaweed and other natural resources.

Kelpi is looking for a highly motivated Lab Chemist to work at the leading edge of sustainable technology development. You will be joining our small but rapidly growing team comprising world-class scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a self-motivated, creative team player who is passionate about sustainability and wants to make a positive impact in the world. You should be organised, have a strong work ethic, and show an innovative and methodical approach to problem solving.

You should have:

• Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or other related discipline
• Proven knowledge in either organic chemistry, polymer synthesis and/or renewable materials
• Proven track record in carrying out independent lab work
• Experience working in an industrial setting is advantageous
• Technical problem solving and knowledge sharing capability
• Ability to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Your role

You’ll be pioneering the development and processing of novel degradable biomaterials. Your scientific expertise combined with your instinct to innovate will play a key role at the heart of the business, driving our research and development forward. You will be solving packaging challenges to address the needs of our industrial clients.

Tasks involve:

• Lab-based development and formulation of novel compostable polymers and materials from renewable resources. This includes conducting experiments (organic synthesis, polymer synthesis) and operation of lab equipment
• Carrying out analytical methods to characterise materials
• Trouble shooting and problem solving of analytical instruments and processing equipment
• Development of materials and tailoring of properties to meet specific client needs, application of polymer coatings and production of packaging prototypes
• Preparation of written documents such as product specifications, literature reviews and reports
• Supporting a smooth running of the lab on a day-to-day basis, including writing and reviewing risk assessments, COSHH forms and SOPs
• Managing multiple development projects simultaneously

What we offer

• Competitive Salary (depending on experience)
• Share options
• Pension Contributions
• Opportunities for personal and professional training and development

Where you will be based

This is a full-time position based 100% at our modern lab and office space in central Bristol.

We are dedicated to providing an equal, supportive and inclusive culture and embrace a diverse range of talent to contribute to that. Therefore, we welcome all applications - regardless of gender (including gender reassignment), sex or sexual orientation, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion/belief, disability or age.

We’d be delighted to talk a little more about working at Kelpi. If you are interested in joining us, please send your CV and a short statement (text, video, or audio) telling us why you are the right person for Kelpi, along with your salary expectations, availability and right to work status, to our calling email below (because this is not a job, it’s a calling).

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Graduate

Benefits:

• Company pension

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bristol: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Master's (required)

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: 06/03/2023