450 Materials Scientist jobs in the United Kingdom

Location: Nottingham, UK

Remuneration: Competitive salary

Start Date: Immediate

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

About Us

Concrete4Change (C4C) is a pioneering company developing breakthrough technology to capture and permanently mineralise CO₂ in concrete. Our patented additive reduces emissions while improving strength and durability, offering a scalable solution for one of the world’s most polluting industries. Having recently scaled up our production process 100×, we’re constructing a pilot plant in Nottingham that will run on real flue gas. Data from this system will directly inform the design of a commercial demonstrator 100× larger. C4C is backed by major industrial players (SCG, Goldbeck), partners with leading universities, and works with top European concrete manufacturers. This is a pivotal moment to join C4C as we scale from lab to industry.

Job description:

In this position, you are a self-starter who can develop new technology areas that leverage existing capabilities and expertise, including CO2 adsorption. You will plan, procure and manage the construction laboratory in line with regulations. You will be responsible for leading a team of civil engineers to utilise the cement and concrete chemistry knowledge for carbon capture and utilisation in concrete and evaluation of CCU techniques on the properties and long-term performance of cement-based materials

Please see the person's specifications and roles & responsibilities below:

Essential:

• Experience in independent research, ability to design and conduct research addressing fundamental scientific questions
• Experience in laboratory setup, HSE requirements, experience in equipment specification development and procurement
• PhD in civil engineering or construction field
• Understanding concrete mix design, characterisation of concrete and associated standards
• Experienced in carbon capture utilisation and storage

Benefits:

C4C is seeking people who want to do applied science, with an entrepreneurial spirit and use their skills to build a sustainable world. We offer typical employee benefits plus a share of what we will build together.

• Private health insurance - Health care cash plan – support with Dental, Optical, Prescription costs
• Government backed pension scheme
• A competitive bonus upon achieving milestones
• Regular team meals and social events

Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for someone with an excellent background in metrology and materials characterisation to contribute to the development and improvement of our bleeding edge Quantum computing systems. Working within our friendly and supportive Quantum materials and Devices team, you will have the opportunity to carry out research and present your findings as well as seeing the practical applications of your work have a real impact on our unique, enterprise ready quantum computers.

Remuneration

• Salary: £50-60k per annum
• Private medical insurance
• Group life and group income protection
• Gym and wellness benefits
• EAP cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days holiday
• Pension
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• EV Car Scheme

The Role

The Materials Scientist role sits within our Quantum Materials and Devices team. The purpose of the role is to apply your  deep understanding of your field to guide improvements to our choice of materials and techniques as well as our nanofabrication processing. This role has the potential to have a great impact on OQC’s technological advances as the Material Scientist’s research will contribute directly to improving the production of our Quantum Processing units as well as supporting the work of our wider Quantum teams.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Investigation of superconducting devices through materials characterisation and metrology methods. 
• Investigation and improvement of limiting factors to qubit coherence and fabrication precision.
• Investigation and implementation of new methods to understand the limiting parameters of superconducting films/devices.
• Creation and maintenance of process documentation, project plans and reports
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in material science and technology
• Representing OQC in scientific settings such as conferences, as part of collaborative consortia, etc.

Candidate requirements

• PhD (or BSc + 4 years of related experience) in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry or related discipline
• Specialised experience with a range of material characterisation techniques such as XPS, SIMS, Auger,  EELS, Raman spectroscopy, ellipsometry, RBS, SEM, FIB, TEM, EDX, XRD, AFM, etc
• Significant experience of programmatic data analysis in Python or similar 
• Knowledge and understanding of nanofabrication processing
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and reasoning skills
• Great problem solving skills and meticulous attention to details
• Team player
• Capability and eagerness to learn independently about new subject area(s) and underlying technologies
• Excellent documentation skills, autonomous working and duty prioritisation

Research has shown that women are less likely than men to apply for this role if they do not have solid experience in 100% of these areas. Please know that this list is indicative and that we would still love to hear from you even if you feel you only are a 75% match. Skills can be learnt, diversity cannot.

About Our Company

At OQC, we see a brighter future for all, enabled by quantum.

Together we are pioneering cutting-edge quantum computers that unlock transformative discoveries, from advancing drug modelling to revolutionising battery technology. Our mission is to put quantum in the hands of humanity, empowering customers to discover new commercial and scientific frontiers.

When you join OQC, you become part of a diverse team of innovators, creators, and problem solvers. We bring together some of the brightest minds in quantum physics, nanotechnologies, hardware, software and commercial operations. Each team member brings a unique skill set and are united by our values, which guide us in everything we do - how we work, how we collaborate and how we shape the future of our industry.

Are you ready to help us build this future?

APPLY NOW!

Please use the link provided to apply for the role of Materials Scientist.  To aid your application, it will be beneficial to provide us with a cover letter outlining why you think you would be a good fit for the role and what attracts you to OQC. We look forward to hearing from you!

At OQC we are not just hoping you’ll fit in our culture. We aspire to thrive, as a company and as people, thanks to your diversity of thought and background. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to providing our team members with a work environment free from discrimination, where everyone is treated with respect. Our employment decisions are based on business needs, talent and merit and all our colleagues share in the responsibility for fulfilling our commitment to diversity. We look forward to meeting you!

• Leading research projects focused on the development of new materials with specific properties.
• Synthesizing and processing advanced materials using various techniques.
• Characterizing material properties using a range of analytical methods (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy).
• Conducting performance testing and evaluation of materials under various conditions.
• Interpreting complex experimental data and drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineers and product developers, to translate material innovations into practical applications.
• Troubleshooting material-related issues and proposing effective solutions.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks and preparing comprehensive technical reports.
• Staying current with the latest scientific literature and advancements in materials science.
• Mentoring junior researchers and contributing to the growth of the R&D team.
• Contributing to patent applications and publications where appropriate.

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in materials research and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques.
• Proficiency with analytical instruments such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), FTIR, etc.
• Strong understanding of material properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical).
• Excellent data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and manage projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a specific material class (e.g., polymers, composites, nanomaterials) is highly desirable.

• Lead independent research projects focused on the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced materials.
• Develop and implement novel material characterization techniques and methodologies.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data to understand structure-property relationships.
• Collaborate with external research institutions, universities, and industrial partners.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
• Identify and evaluate new material technologies with potential commercial applications.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior scientists and research staff.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of the research portfolio and identify new research opportunities.
• Ensure intellectual property protection through patent filings.
• Manage research budgets and resources effectively.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials science and related fields.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical standards and best practices.
• Champion innovation and foster a collaborative research environment.

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral research experience with a strong track record in materials innovation and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in a specific area of materials science (e.g., polymers, composites, ceramics, metals, nanomaterials).
• Extensive experience with advanced characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, NMR, spectroscopy).
• Proven ability to design and execute complex research experiments and interpret results.
• Strong publication record in leading scientific journals and experience presenting at major conferences.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience in intellectual property management and patent strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaborations and build strategic partnerships.
• Proficiency in relevant scientific software and data analysis tools.
• Must have the right to work in the UK.

• Lead research projects focused on the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced materials across various applications.
• Develop and implement experimental methodologies for materials characterization, including microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing.
• Analyze complex experimental data, interpret results, and draw insightful conclusions regarding material properties and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including chemists, physicists, engineers, and biologists, to achieve research objectives.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, emerging trends, and technological advancements in materials science.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of advanced materials characterization equipment.
• Manage research project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Author high-impact scientific publications, present findings at international conferences, and contribute to patent applications.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and technical staff, fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and rigor.
• Ensure adherence to all laboratory safety protocols and ethical research standards.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral research experience in materials science, with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated expertise in materials synthesis (e.g., sol-gel, CVD, additive manufacturing) and characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, XPS).
• Proven ability to design and execute complex research experiments independently.
• Strong theoretical understanding of material properties, phase transformations, and structure-property relationships.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience in scientific writing and presentation.
• Proven leadership and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Experience in grant writing is a significant advantage.

• Conduct research and development into new and advanced materials.
• Characterize material properties using a range of analytical and testing techniques.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate material performance and suitability.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams on material implementation and process optimization.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in manufacturing processes.
• Stay current with advancements in materials science and relevant industry trends.
• Contribute to intellectual property development (patents, publications).
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and quality standards.

• MSc or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in materials research and development, preferably within manufacturing.
• Strong theoretical knowledge of materials science principles and relevant application areas.
• Hands-on experience with materials characterization techniques (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing).
• Proficiency in data analysis software and experimental design.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Familiarity with hybrid work models and remote collaboration tools.

• Lead R&D projects focused on the discovery and development of new materials.
• Design and conduct experiments to synthesize, process, and characterize advanced materials.
• Utilize a variety of analytical techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, spectroscopy) for material analysis.
• Investigate structure-property relationships and mechanisms of material degradation.
• Develop and optimize material formulations and processing methods.
• Collaborate with product development and engineering teams to implement materials solutions.
• Evaluate material performance and reliability for specific applications.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent applications and publications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements and trends in materials science.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative research environment.

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industrial R&D experience in materials science.
• Expertise in one or more areas such as polymers, composites, ceramics, metals, or nanomaterials.
• Proficiency with advanced characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of materials processing and manufacturing methods.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Proven ability to manage research projects and deliver results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of technical writing and presentations.
• Experience in a commercial R&D setting is preferred.