Scientist, Research Scientist, Biotechnology

Job title:

Scientist

Department: R&D

Location:

Southampton, UK

GLS: T02

Working hours:

37.5 hours per week, on site

Cooper Vision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of Cooper Vision means helping improve the way people see each day. It’s more than making contact lenses, it’s about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We’re all about bright futures – for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.

Research and Development (R&D) is central to lens design, material innovation, and process advancement within Cooper Vision, leading to the creation of new product and technology opportunities for the business.

This role contributes to projects spanning early-stage research, technology development, and product development. Activities may include the investigation of novel materials, formulations, and processes, development of new methodologies, generation of scientific understanding, and optimisation of products and processes to support project objectives.

The position involves participation in multiple project activities, working closely with the wider R&D group, with a strong emphasis on hands‑on experimental work and scientific investigation

The primary focus of the Scientist role is to design and execute experimental research and development activities relating to novel materials, formulations and processes for contact lens applications.

The role may support projects ranging from early-stage exploratory research through to product and process development. The Scientist will generate high‑quality experimental data, analyse and interpret results, and contribute to the advancement of research, technology, and product development programmes.

Key activities include:

• Designing and executing experimental plans, applying scientific principles to investigate scientific questions, solve technical challenges, and support development objectives.
• Supporting projects spanning early-stage research, technology development, and product development, managing assigned activities, deliverables, and timelines.
• Applying critical thinking and sound scientific judgement to interpret results, identify issues, and recommend next steps.
• Analysing data using appropriate statistical and scientific techniques; prepares technical reports and presentations to communicate findings clearly.
• Contributing to the generation and evaluation of new scientific ideas, technologies, and approaches aligned with project objectives.
• Identifying technical challenges and contributes to problem‑solving activities using an innovative and structured approach.
• Contributing to continuous improvement in experimental methods, laboratory practices, tools, and ways of working.
• Building technical expertise through the review of scientific literature and awareness of relevant technological developments.
• Supporting training, knowledge sharing, and onboarding activities within the team where appropriate.

A full job description is available upon request.

We are looking for someone with the following skills:

• Ability to apply scientific principles to investigate technical challenges and support the development of new products, materials, and processes.
• Ability to translate scientific understanding into practical experimental approaches and technical solutions.
• Ability to work effectively on projects spanning exploratory research, technology development, and product development.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply highly technical scientific literature.
• Technical report writing and scientific communication skills.
• Data analysis and presentation skills, including the application of basic statistical techniques.
• Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to agreed timelines.
• Experience &
  
  Education:
• Required:
• Sound grounding in scientific principles, experimental design, and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of research and development methodologies, with the ability to plan, execute, and interpret experiments.
• Knowledge of…