Head of Research And Development

Head of Research And Development

SRG Stoke-On-Trent, England, United Kingdom

We are seeking an experienced and driven Head of Research & Development to lead a small, high‑impact R&D team and pilot plant within a specialist materials manufacturing environment. This is a senior, hands‑on role suited to a technically strong leader who thrives in translating innovative chemistry into scalable, commercial products.

• Lead and manage the R&D laboratory and pilot plant operations
• Develop new, innovative products aligned with strategic business objectives
• Explore and evaluate new chemistries and material technologies
• Design, develop and scale up manufacturing processes from lab to pilot scale
• Establish and maintain analytical methods and quality parameters
• Provide technical support to Production, Sales and HSQE teams
• Support troubleshooting and continuous improvement within manufacturing
• Develop new applications for existing and emerging products
• Define laboratory equipment standards and technical procedures
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety and regulatory requirements
• Deliver technical service support to customers as required

• PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science or a related discipline
• Industrial R&D experience within functional or advanced materials
• Strong background in analytical and spectroscopic techniques (e.g. UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, XRD)
• Proven experience in process development and scale-up
• Hands‑on laboratory experience with a practical, solution‑driven mindset
• Experience managing laboratories and leading small technical teams

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Functional and optical materials
• Interaction of light with inorganic materials
• Photocatalytic, photochromic, luminescent or phosphorescent materials
• UV / VIS / NIR / laser absorbing or reflecting materials
• Nanoparticle or solid‐state synthesis
• Materials for energy or solar‐related applications

• Highly motivated, hands‑on and adaptable
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Creative problem solver with an “out‑of‑the‑box” approach
• Willingness to travel occasionally
• Additional language skills are an advantage

• Opportunity to lead and shape an R&D function with real commercial impact
• High level of autonomy and technical ownership
• Broad exposure across R&D, manufacturing, sales and customers
• Work in a specialist materials environment where innovation matters

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Research

Chemical Manufacturing