Organic / Polymer / Formulation Chemist - Key hire with ESOP

**Full job description – Organic Polymer Chemist / Formulation Chemist

About FlexSea:**

FlexSea is a young London based start-up created by two friends raised with the ambition to have a sustainable impact on the Planet. With complementary backgrounds in business management, entrepreneurship on one side, and materials science and engineering on the other, the two Imperial College London graduates worked on developing a prototype of a fully home-compostable seaweed-based bioplastic film to replace the petroleum-based Single Used Plastics (SUPs). The team has academic advising and testing facility access – London South Bank University (LSBU), Imperial College London (ICL), University of Bath/iCast, University of Aveiro – and advising from both packaging industry experts and renowned seaweed experts/phycologists.
FlexSea’s ambition is to develop a material that is capable of degrading in natural environments as most SUPs are disposed of in landfills or leaked in the environment. The goal is to build a solution to this ‘worst case scenario’. Because the material is derived from natural extracts and food additives (EFSA-FDA approved), it is intrinsically edible and friendly to the ecosystem if ever leaked in nature. The patented formulation and process provide solutions for sustainable packaging in specific sectors with respect to the material properties. As the polysaccharides extracted from the red seaweeds are hydrophilic, as well as the film, the company has adapted its product by targeting market segments such as dry item packaging. Firstly, non-foods such as anhydrous cosmetics, hardware, secondary packaging, windows, fashion, and then dry foods or fast consumption food items (Fast Moving Consumer Goods - FMCG). The team has gathered traction from large groups in those various segments is now leading testing and improvement of the film properties as well as trials on industrial machinery to prepare for the scaling up of the process.

The Role: Organic polymer chemist/Formulation chemist

As an Organic polymer chemist/formulation chemist, you will be responsible for improving material properties by turning the film formulation and process as well as analysis testing results to design tuneable solutions for various market applications. This will include:
• Trying various formulations for the polymer network to offer optimal properties for the packaging applications
• Taking responsibility for reports and presentations, and assisting in client meetings
• Performing & analysing materials testing for mechanical, barrier and chemical properties of the film and other products developed in parallel verticals
• Conducting R&D work relating to materials or instrumentation, including design of experiments, data analysis, reporting and troubleshooting
• Materials development, production, and analysis, including adapting process techniques
• As the role progresses, you’ll acquire the skills to independently manage client relationships and projects

Qualifications

The position might require flexibility on working hours because FlexSea is an early-stage start-up, independent working and adaptation to schedule changes is a key requirement for the position.

• RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK • Ph.D. in polysaccharide chemistry, or related field of study. • Experience with solution chemistry, hydrogel chemistry and network/cross linking modification. • Experienced in polymer characterization methods e.g. DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, GPC, Rheometer, GPC. • Experience in Material testing; mechanical (tensile test, tear test, dart drop), barrier properties (OTR, WVTR, WCA). • Design and synthesis of polymers and formulations to performance specifications based on a fundamental understanding of polymer structure/property relationship. • Ability to lead technical efforts to troubleshoot issues that may arise in process development and scale-up. • Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. • Results-oriented self-starter capable of setting goals, planning, and executing complex research projects with effective oversight of future technician level employees. • Proficiency in documenting laboratory procedures and results is required. • Fluency, both spoken and written, in English language is required.

Preferred qualifications
• 3+ years of Industrial experience developing polysaccharide polymers.
• Document research results for intellectual property.
• Experience developing and commercializing new products.
• Experience in grant writing, UKRI favoured.
• Previous FMCG experience.
• Curiosity and passion for sustainability.
• A genuine despise for greenwashing.
What we offer:

Full-time job
Flexible working hours
Fully kitted out lab, meeting rooms and state of the art working facility in the White City start-up hub
Access to kitchen space (and Free Coffee!)
Location: London (United Kingdom)
Salary: £40,000.00 - £55,000.00 and equity option plan*
*Employee Stock Option Pool: to be discussed upon signing of contract, the position is one of the first hires of the company and might become a manager/director role in the future with the team expansion upon the seed raise (Expected Q4 2022).

Other information:

Apply by reaching out to [email protected]
Reporting: directly to the Chief Technical Office
Flexible hours
Monday to Friday
Application deadline: None