Head of Research And Development

Kelpi is a world-leading sustainable materials innovation company, using seaweed and natural plant-based oils to create a unique coating material that provides the barrier to moisture that could previously only be achieved by fossil fuel plastics. This unique, renewably sourced coating is then applied to paper and card to create 100% biobased, recyclable packaging which, if it were to escape the recycling stream, will biodegrade in the natural environment.

Our unique, patented technology is at the heart of our business, differentiating our materials from all other biomaterial solutions on the market. Kelpi has been built on the ethos of tackling problems that no‑one else can solve; with a world‑class team of scientists, we develop and deliver new technology solutions to challenging problems through breaking scientific boundaries and challenging the status‑quo.

We are now looking for a Head of R&D to lead Kelpi’s materials discovery and development programme, with a particular focus on the chemistry underpinning our next generation of biomaterials for packaging.

• We are looking for an experienced technical team leader who is passionate about sustainability and wants to make a positive impact in the world.
• You will have an entrepreneurial mindset and deep curiosity about materials, chemistry and emerging material technologies.
• You will have a background in novel material development and have worked previously for a dynamic, action‑orientated start‑up.
• You will be as comfortable at the lab bench as you are in a strategic conversation – a scientist‑leader who can translate fundamental chemistry insights into materials with real‑world performance and commercial potential.
• You will be able to balance the ability to deliver a long‑term technology roadmap and R&D strategy with the creativity to deal with ambiguity and rapid iteration as well as the tenacity to overcome barriers and blockers.
• You will embrace and leverage the opportunities presented by AI for new material development and the optimisation of existing materials.

• Define and own the R&D roadmap for new biomaterial development, collaborating closely with the CTO, to align technological innovation with Kelpi's commercial strategy and sustainability goals.
• Identify and prioritise high‑value research directions in natural feedstock‑derived polymer chemistry, material modification, and polymer formulations.
• Stay ahead of the academic and patent landscape, including competitor materials and technologies; translate emerging science into competitive advantage.
• Leverage AI to optimise existing materials and to inform the development of new ones.
• Report progress, risks, and opportunities to the CTO and wider leadership team on a regular basis.

• Lead the design and synthesis of new biomaterial formulations with targeted mechanical, barrier, and processing properties.
• Support the operations team with the transfer and process optimisation from lab scale through to small pilot scale in house.
• Oversee all analytical and testing workflows, ensuring robust, reproducible data generation and interpretation.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape relevant to new material development, particularly food contact and packaging regulations (e.g. US/EU food contact materials legislation, REACH), ensuring all materials are developed with compliance in mind from the outset.
• Develop and document IP‑generating innovations, working closely with the CTO on patent strategy and IP protection.

• Lead a team, currently of two polymer scientists, supporting their day‑to‑day scientific output and their professional development, with plans to scale the team as the company grows.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, accountability, collaboration and innovation within the lab team.
• Support recruitment, performance management and professional development of the team.

• Partner with the product development team to translate material breakthroughs into prototype formats and customer‑ready packaging solutions.
• C…