Sustainable Packaging Materials Scientist

Overview

Job Title:

Sustainable Packaging Materials Scientist

Location:

Port Sunlight Research Lab

Unilever is committed to creating a waste-free world through its ambitious Packaging Strategy. We are re-inventing our product packaging and materials to craft a sustainability journey toward a circular, waste-free and net zero future. We are seeking a creative, dedicated and ambitious individual with an innovative mindset who shares our passion for the challenge. The One Packaging R&D Centre aims to create a waste-free, net zero packaging portfolio through a world-class packaging materials capability with strong partnerships and ecosystems.

The Centre will enable novel packaging solutions to meet Unilever's packaging ambitions with a focus on our flexibles portfolio. You will be part of a high-performing, diverse and inclusive team with a strong scientific background, courage and curiosity, and passion for sustainability and delivery that will have a positive impact on the planet.

• Support the selection, application, and optimization of inks, coatings, and overprint varnishes on flexible substrates to meet performance and sustainability requirements.
• Assess and help interpret the physical, chemical, and surface properties of fiber-based and film substrates to ensure compatibility with coatings and printing solutions.
• Contribute to coating and ink evaluation by applying established analytical and characterization approaches to assess adhesion, barrier behavior, durability, and overall performance.
• Provide day-to-day technical support to the team, including sample preparation, test execution, data collection, and basic troubleshooting.
• Support scale-up activities from lab to pilot trials by preparing materials, assisting with trial execution, resolving routine issues, and documenting processing conditions.
• Contribute to experimental design and project planning, helping to generate data-based insights, hypotheses, and recommendations that advance program objectives and support claims or IP development.
• Maintain high-quality documentation, contribute to SOP creation, ensure reliable testing practices, and help prepare data packages for internal reviews, sustainability claims, or IP filings.
• Engage with external partners and suppliers to gather information or samples and support the evaluation of new technologies, while fostering strong relationships across the internal R&D community.
• Plan and execute work with increasing autonomy, collaborating with program leaders to deliver activities aligned with project milestones.
• Work with digital experts and use digital tools to support material selection, data interpretation, and process optimization.

• A higher education qualification in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Packaging Science, Printing & Coating Technology, Paper Technology, or a closely related discipline
• Experience in industrially relevant materials development and/or characterisation
• Working knowledge of coatings, inks, and overprint varnishes for fibre-based and/or film substrates, with the ability to understand how application methods and substrate interactions influence performance
• Practical experience with coatings, inks, or overprint varnishes in a laboratory environment, and familiarity with fundamental characterisation approaches used to assess performance
• Experience supporting scale-up or pilot activities, including sample preparation, troubleshooting minor issues, and documenting processing conditions
• Competent in the use of laboratory equipment and data analysis, with a proactive, problem-solving approach and strong analytical skills for interpreting data and identifying business-relevant insights
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and to build constructive working relationships with internal and external partners to support project delivery
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical findings clearly to a range of audiences
• Must be creative, highly passionate, willing to think big and inspire both the team, stakeholders and customers

• Competitive salary and pension scheme, annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares
• Flexible and hybrid working options; opportunity to work directly with renowned brands
• Support for wellbeing, development opportunities, and an inclusive workplace that values diversity
• We strive to give full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity
• Reasonable adjustments during application and interview processes to enable you to present your best self

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