Principal Scientist – Materials Science
Sedgefield | Full Time 37 hours per week (Minimum 3 days on-site) | £48,000 – £64,000
About the Role:
We are seeking a Principal Scientist to join their Advanced Materials & Devices team, providing high-level technical expertise in functional coatings, materials science, and sustainable materials development.
This is a technically focused, individual contributor role within a large, multidisciplinary team of specialists, where you will act as a recognised subject matter expert — contributing to complex projects, shaping technical direction, and supporting business growth through your expertise.
You will play a critical role in strengthening capability within functional coatings and materials, while applying your knowledge across a diverse range of sectors including batteries, healthtech, and sustainable materials.
Working alongside engineers, formulation scientists, and materials experts, this is a highly collaborative role with strong visibility across both internal programmes and external partnerships.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:
Technical Expertise & Thought Leadership
- Act as a subject matter expert in functional coatings and materials, contributing to complex and high-value projects
- Identify emerging trends and translate them into new technical opportunities and innovations
- Provide technical guidance and insight to inform project direction and strategic decisions
Project Delivery & Cross-Sector Application
- Apply expertise in materials science across sectors such as:
- Batteries and energy storage
- Healthtech and advanced devices
- Sustainable materials and reformulation
- Support delivery of large-scale, multidisciplinary programmes
- Contribute to solving complex technical challenges in applied environments
Business Development & Bids
- Actively contribute to collaborative R&D bids and proposal development
- Support bidding activities through technical input and subject matter expertise
- Help build partnerships, including participation in consortium-based projects
Collaboration & Networking
- Build strong internal and external networks across industry and academia
- Act as a credible technical representative with partners and stakeholders
- Contribute to knowledge sharing and capability development across the team
About You:
You are an experienced materials scientist who combines deep technical expertise with the ability to apply knowledge across different industries and applications.
You’ll bring:
- Significant experience in functional coatings and/or advanced materials
- A strong track record of applying materials science in industrial or applied environments
- Experience contributing to complex technical projects or programmes
- Ability to work as a technical lead or subject matter expert without direct line management responsibility
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills
Desirable (but not essential):
- Experience in sustainable materials, surface science, or additive manufacturing
- Exposure to sectors such as batteries, healthtech, or advanced manufacturing
- Experience contributing to Collaborative R&D bids, consortium projects, or funded programmes
- Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body
This role is best suited to someone stepping up into a Principal role or already operating at this level within industry rather than academia alone.
Why Join?
- Join the largest materials science team within the organisation with broad technical capability
- Work on high-impact programmes across energy, sustainability, and healthtech
- Apply expertise across diverse and challenging applications
- Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge innovation and external partnerships
- Competitive salary (£48k–£64k) and flexible working environment
Location & Working Pattern
- Based at a highly innovative Sedgefield site
- Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days on-site
- Flexible working hours across 37 per week, with a focus on delivery and collaboration
The Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity to take on a visible, influential technical role within a growing and evolving team — helping to shape capability in functional and sustainable materials, while contributing to real-world applications that span multiple industries.
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