Job Description

About CPI

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We\xe2\x80\x99re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability. Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products. From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

Why this role is important for CPI\xe2\x80\x99s work

CPI has an opportunity for an experienced Principal Scientist \xe2\x80\x93 Sustainable Materials who will join the Formulation business unit\xe2\x80\x99s established Nanomaterials and Composites team based at NETPark, Sedgefield. The Nanomaterials and Composites team win and deliver a broad range of commercial and collaborative R&D projects in the area of sustainable polymeric materials, bio-materials, nanoparticle/polymer composites and sustainable inorganic/energy materials. You will be responsible for providing technical expertise, capability and input contributing to the delivery of projects in the broad area of Sustainable Materials, with applications from those with expertise in sustainable polymeric materials (synthesis, processing, recycling, characterisation etc.) particularly welcome. You will act as a technical lead, leading small to large scale projects ranging from initial proof of concept projects lasting only a few days to multi-year projects/programs. You will draw upon your technical skills and experience to provide carefully thought through advice and expertise to a range of stakeholders across CPI. You will work closely with the Business Development and Bid writing teams to secure new public and privately funded projects in the sustainable materials space. You will have the opportunity to work at the interface of academia and industry, with a large number of projects, partners, technologies and market sectors. This variety will give you the opportunity to work on fundamental science/R&D as well as product development and commercialisation. While reporting to the team manager, it is also expected you will work as first line management to a small number of colleagues (approx. 4) within the wider team (total team members approx. 20), ensuring delivery of departmental goals, through delegation and providing feedback and motivation to team members. This will include working alongside the team manager in managing allocation of resource to ensure project delivery and short-term planning of deliverables. Please use the below links to view some examples of typical projects you may be involved in as part of this role as well as more information on wider technologies and markets aligned to this role: Sustainable polymers, plastics and packaging https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/oceanium https://www.uk-cpi.com/case-studies/biome-technologies https://www.uk-cpi.com/technol\xe2\x80\xa6 Key tasks in the Principal Scientist role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details available on the CPI careers page: The role:

• To manage with PRIDE; leading by example and role modelling the desired behaviours to exemplify our Company values and line manager principles, promoting an ethical, positive company culture. To empower our people to challenge the status quo to deliver incredible work.
• To maintain consistent and documented compliance with all relevant Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Data Integrity (DI), quality and best practice requirements.
• To supervise a small number of team members, ensuring delivery of departmental goals, through appropriate delegation and providing feedback and motivation to team members. This includes providing first line-management support, allocation of resource to ensure project delivery and short-term planning of deliverables.

• Identify new technical developments and trends, translate these into building blocks for opportunities within the business unit, initiating the creation of (new) technological innovations/applications.

• Utilise own expert knowledge to assist in translating business unit strategy into practice through the delivery of plans to achieve business unit objectives.

• Build, maintain and exploit a network of relevant external stakeholders, customers, partners, research organisations and authorities, to represent the business unit and self as a credible expert, identifying opportunity for future projects and developments.

• Actively contribute to a culture of continuous capability development through coaching, mentoring and/or developing colleagues across the business unit and organisation, providing insights into areas of specialism. Which may include coaching and developing colleagues (both technically and behaviourally) to help them reach their potential and acting as a mentor to colleagues across the organisation, providing an expert-level perspective.

• Work collaboratively with Business Development, Bid Proposal and technical colleagues to contribute to proposal / project development and direct customer engagement. Seek out and engage in business development opportunities where appropriate.

• Set up, plan and execute experimental / pilot scale runs and analyse, interpret and report the results of these, translating obtained findings and knowledge.

The person we are seeking

Applications are particularly welcome from candidates with expertise in synthesis, characterisation, formulation and processing (e.g. extrusion) of sustainable polymeric materials e.g. natural polymers or bio-derived polymers as applied in sustainable composites/coatings/thermoplastic materials/inks/paints etc. Successful candidates will:

• Be educated to a minimum of HNC/Foundation degree (or equivalent) in a Scientific/Engineering discipline, with industrial experience at a senior level. It is highly desirable that candidates are educated to Masters/PhD with relevant industrial experience.
• Possess significant technical expertise in Sustainable Materials (ideally polymeric materials) as well as compelling evidence of complex technical problem-solving.
• Exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in Sustainable Materials (ideally polymeric materials) gained through career to date in area of expertise.
• Be able to demonstrate evidence of building knowledge sharing and network building practice across teams and organisations to achieve desired results.
• Actively demonstrate in-depth technical and theoretical knowledge of Sustainable Materials (ideally polymeric materials) and can participate at a high level in more than one area. Is viewed as an authority in at least one area by peers and managers.
• Take responsibility for diverse or complex technical activities where it is necessary to use own initiative and judgement, implementing innovative solutions in complex
  situations.

Have experience with line management responsibilities, supervising a small team and ensuring delivery of departmental goals.

What does CPI offer you?

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays \xe2\x80\x93 Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

Additional information

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.