Senior Scientist - Material Chemistry

Job title: Senior Scientist – Material Chemistry

Department: Research & Development

Location: Eastleigh – this role will then move to Southampton, Adanac Park mid-September 

GLS: T03

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday (onsite)

A brighter future awaits you

Job Summary

The primary focus of this role is to initiate, design and execute hypothesis-driven research and development activities relating to novel materials, chemistries, and processes for contact lens applications.

The role is responsible for reducing technical uncertainty, generating scientific understanding, and informing future product and technology direction, while also contributing to the development and optimisation of emerging concepts and existing products.

You’ll define research questions, design experimental approaches, and generate high-quality data, ensuring results are rigorously analysed, interpreted, and clearly communicated. Outputs from this work will guide future research direction and support project decision-making.

The role will also involve supporting the Chemistry team with operational activities such as equipment qualification and the safe handling of hazardous materials, in line with regulatory requirements and current policies and procedures.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

• Works effectively in a team environment, contributing scientific expertise and collaborating across cross-functional groups.
• Contributes to the generation, evaluation, and prioritisation of new scientific ideas and research directions aligned with business and technology strategy.
• Designs and executes hypothesis-driven experimental plans, applying scientific principles to investigate and solve technical challenges.
• Works with minimal guidance to lead or contribute to projects spanning early-stage research through to development, managing milestones, timelines, and deliverables.
• Applies critical thinking and sound scientific judgement to interpret results, challenge assumptions, and define next steps.
• Analyzes data using appropriate statistical and scientific techniques; prepares technical reports and presentations to communicate findings clearly.
• Effectively communicates progress, insights, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Builds scientific knowledge and contributes to innovation outputs, including patents, publications, and product development.
• Identifies technical challenges and leads problem-solving activities using an innovative and structured approach.
• Contributes to continuous improvement in experimental methods, tools, and ways of working.
• Provides scientific guidance, mentoring and coaching to junior scientists, supporting the development of experimental design, data interpretation, and critical thinking skills
• Ensures Health & Safety requirements are always met and never compromised.
• May be responsible for handling, labelling, and overseeing hazardous materials and waste in line with regulatory requirements and site procedures.
• Supports training and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Builds and leverages external scientific collaborations to enhance research capability and accelerate progress.

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor of Science degree with minimum 5 years’ experience in Chemistry, Material Sciences, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences or related field

• Master of Science degree with minimum 4 years’ experience in Chemistry, Material Sciences, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences or related field

• Ph.D. with minimum 2 years’ experience in Chemistry, Material Sciences, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences or relat