Development Chemist (Formulation & Packaging)

Development Chemist require based in West Yorkshire on a permanent basis. Requiring a degree in Chemistry (or similar), with recent and extensive experience in formulating products such as lubricants, oils, greases, coatings (other aligned industries considered), as well as experience or a strong interest in packaging technology, product-package compatibility, or packaging sustainability.

Title: Development Chemist

Location: West Yorkshire

Salary: -32,000 - -40,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Term: Permanent

SRG are working with a leading manufacturing business within the speciality chemicals sector. They are now looking to hire a Development Chemist to join their R&D team in West Yorkshire. The successful candidate will join an established R&D laboratory team and play a key role in formulation, testing, and continuous improvement activities. Alongside core development chemistry responsibilities, this position has a strong interface with packaging, acting as a central technical contact for pack-format feasibility, product-package compatibility, and sustainability considerations during early-stage development. This role would suit a practical, curious chemist who enjoys problem-solving, collaborating across functions, and seeing products progress from concept through to manufacture.

Benefits: You will join a highly successful company, with an opportunity to make a great impact. 35 hours - Monday to Friday, with flexibility on start and finish times. 25 days holiday and plus bank holidays. Potential for an annual bonus and company pension scheme.

Role/Description

• Develop and optimise chemical formulations in the laboratory from initial concept through to scale-up readiness.
• Carry out laboratory testing using recognised industry standard and internal methods, ensuring robust documentation and data integrity.
• Interpret experimental data to assess performance and recommend formulation improvements.
• Act as a first point of contact for packaging-related technical queries, including material compatibility and pack-format selection.
• Provide input on packaging sustainability, recyclability, and regulatory considerations, including PPWR awareness.
• Support technical troubleshooting for existing products and liaise with external test houses where required.
• Contribute to technical reports, presentations, and project updates.
• Ensure all work is carried out in line with health, safety, and quality procedures, including COSHH and risk assessments.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory methods and ways of working.

Requirements

• Degree-level qualification (BSc or higher) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline
• Extensive practical laboratory experience in formulation or development chemistry within a materials, chemicals or speciality products environment (lubricants, oils, greases, coatings etc.)
• Some experience or strong interest in packaging technology, product-package compatibility, or packaging sustainability.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of laboratory HSE, quality, and documentation standards.

SRG is the UK''s number one recruitment company specialising in the scientific, engineering, clinical, pharmaceutical, food/FMCG, energy & renewables, biotech, chemical and medical device sectors.

As scientists ourselves, our specialist sector knowledge and our passion are second to none. It''s this combination that makes us different. We''re committed to providing outstanding temporary, contract and permanent career opportunities of all levels for our candidates and a comprehensive range of expert strategic recruitment services for our clients.

If you would like to apply for this position, please use the link provided. Alternatively please email a copy of your CV to For more information regarding this position or any others, please call Chris on (phone number removed).

If you have a scientific background and this position is not relevant / suitable for you, please feel free to get in touch or visit (url removed) to view our other vacancies.

Keywords: development, chemist, chemistry, formulation, formulating, NPD, new product development, lubricant, lubrication, metalworking, fluids, oils, R&D, research and development, grease, coatings, packaging, sustainability, recyclability, regulatory, PPWR, product-package compatibility.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.