Materials Scientist

Materials Scientist

Do you want to join a purpose‑driven company that is making a global impact on society and creating a healthier environment both now and for future generations?

If working with an honest, fair, reputable, responsible and rapidly expanding global organisation is high on your agenda, joining our team could be for you.

The Materials Engineer supports Whitefox's Product Development team by leading the development and optimisation of potting materials and processes for hollow fibre membrane modules used in dehydration, gas separation, and fluid handling applications. This role focuses on polymer and alloy formulation, adhesion science, curing chemistry, and process development to ensure reliable sealing, structural integrity, and long‑term module performance under demanding operating conditions.

Join Whitefox in shaping a more efficient industrial future. As part of our team, you’ll turn insight into action, driving smarter processes, solving real‑world challenges, and helping deliver advanced membrane solutions that enable industries to produce more with less.

The Research & Development team advances Whitefox product and process innovation through safe laboratory operations, prototype design, technical testing, data‑driven validation, and scale‑up support. The department is responsible for building practical solutions that improve product performance, process reliability, and the transition from batch experimentation toward continuous and increasingly automated operation.

Every improvement you make moves us closer to our 2030 goal of being globally trusted leaders in efficiency and innovation.

• Conduct research to understand the properties, structure, and behaviour of materials.
• Explore new materials or modifications to existing ones to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Develop and optimise epoxy, metal‑alloys, polymer, and composite materials for membrane modules with improved chemical, thermal, and mechanical performance.
• Design membrane cartridges, housings, seals, end caps, and flow paths to improve filtration efficiency, durability, and manufacturability.
• Provide technical and scientific expertise while evaluating work carried out by the manufacturing team.
• Analyse the physical and chemical material performance results and put them into context with work being carried out by fabrication partners.
• Provide technical and scientific expertise in QC/lab operation.
• Review 3rd‑party documentation for completeness, assimilate and create Whitefox summaries and analysis putting all fabrication and performance aspects into context.
• Create and maintain concise, accurate, and traceable documentation (i.e. includes analysis, summary, source files and updates to the document and communication tracker on SharePoint).
• Assist with project/grant proposals, status reports.
• Represent Whitefox Blueprint values, standards, and safety culture to customers and external stakeholders during site visits and support activities.

• MSc or PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.

• 3+ years of industrial or research experience in polymers, adhesives, encapsulation, or membrane technologies.
• Strong understanding of thermoset and elastomeric polymer chemistry.
• Experience with formulation development and materials characterization techniques.
• Knowledge of adhesion mechanisms, interfacial science, and curing processes.
• Familiarity with hollow‑fiber membrane module construction and sealing challenges is highly desirable.
• Experience with statistical experimental design (DOE) and data analysis.

• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Troubleshooting and root cause analysis – structured approach to diagnosing failures, validating hypotheses, and implementing durable corrective actions.
• Execution speed with technical rigor – able to move quickly, iterate prototypes, and increase team cadence without losing sight of safety, quality, or reliability.
• Cross‑functional collaboration – able to work effectively with scientists,…