Industrial Research Chemist; R&D

Dragonfly’s Technology and Core Strength

Dragonfly’s advanced technology and production processes have been created to address the challenges of traditional manufacturing. From formulation to application, Dragonfly’s technology is uniquely versatile.

From the manufacture of finished products to modular, distributed manufacturing, we create the aerogel solutions customers need while minimising the environmental and financial cost.

By unlocking the full potential of silica aerogel and creating a step change in performance and adaptability, we bring to the world technology, enabling market‑making applications, whilst making an enduring contribution to the fight against climate change.

In this, we maximise the versatility of our technology to bring to customers the benefits of a flexible, integrated, sustainable and competitive advanced material.

The Industrial Research Chemist (R&D) will play an important role in planning, executing, analysing and reporting research and development activities across a growing portfolio of advanced materials projects. The role requires an experienced scientist who combines strong experimental capability with sound technical judgement, independent problem solving, disciplined prioritisation, and the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of complex work streams, identify technical gaps early, convert data into actionable conclusions, and help establish a high‑performing and scalable R&D culture as the company grows.

In addition, the role requires strong capability in inorganic/materials chemistry (including wet chemistry techniques) and an appreciation for the development and protection of intellectual property arising from R&D activities.

• Execute R&D projects from experimental design through to analysis, reporting, and recommendation of next steps.
• Document structured experimental plans with clear objectives, hypotheses, controls, milestones, success criteria and decision points.
• Identify technical risks, knowledge gaps, bottlenecks, and dependencies early and propose practical solutions to maintain project momentum.
• Rigorously record, analyse and interpret experimental, analytical and characterisation data, presenting technical drawings and conclusions and recommending evidence‑based actions.
• Apply appropriate chemical synthesis, wet chemistry, and materials processing techniques, including optimisation and scale‑up where relevant.
• Produce clear, concise, and high‑quality technical reports, summaries, presentations and internal documentation suitable for management, collaborators, or customers where required.
• Communicate technical findings effectively during meetings and project reviews, with the ability to explain complex issues with clarity and focus.
• Work independently with a high degree of ownership while remaining aligned with company’s technical strategies, timelines and resource constraints.
• Escalate issues promptly when support, resources, or decisions are required, rather than allowing avoidable delays to develop.
• Support the development of other R&D staff by strengthening experimental planning, scientific reasoning, technical reporting and day‑to‑day execution.
• Contribute to literature review, competitor awareness, technical discussion and future scale‑up planning where relevant.
• Contribute to the generation, documentation, and protection of intellectual property, maintaining appropriate confidentiality of technical work.
• Maintain excellent laboratory practice, including safe working, proportionate risk‑based handling of chemicals, accurate record keeping and compliance with company procedures.

• PhD or equivalent, in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong hands‑on R&D experience in materials, chemicals, synthesis, and characterisation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and report experimental programmes.
• Proven experience interpreting complex datasets and characterisation results, with strong analytical judgement and attention to data…