Polymer Synthesis Lead

About the role

You are the first wet-lab hire for our polymer AI lab. You will lead the physical lab: reactor procurement, characterization stack, synthesis protocols, and the ramp from first experiment to steady-state throughput. You collaborate daily with the Head of Polymers and the CTO, serving as co-architect of this new segment alongside a computational chemist being hired in parallel.

What you'll do

• Lead lab buildout end-to-end: site preparation, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning
• Set up the characterization stack for molecular weight, thermal, mechanical, rheological, and chemical properties
• Design and validate synthesis protocols for block copolymer families using bio-based monomers produced by our enzyme platform
• Build the sample-to-datapoint pipeline: from reactor output through characterization to structured, ML-ready data
• Ramp throughput from first experiments to thousands of datapoints per month at steady state
• Grow and mentor the synthesis team as the lab scales
• Collaborate with the computational chemist to close the active learning loop: the model suggests what to synthesize next, you make it happen and feed back results

What you'll need

• PhD and 5+ years of experience in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, or chemical engineering with a strong polymer synthesis focus
• Hands-on experience with step-growth polymerization (polycondensation, polyaddition) — you've synthesized polymers, not only characterized them
• Experience building or commissioning a chemistry lab, or leading a significant lab expansion
• Familiarity with parallel or high-throughput synthesis platforms and multi-reactor setups
• Working knowledge of polymer characterization techniques: GPC, DSC, DMA, rheology, FTIR, and mechanical testing
• Experience working with data systems (LIMS, ELN, or structured experimental records)

Nice to have

• Experience with block copolymers specifically (phase separation, microphase morphology, structure-property relationships)
• Background in bio-based or sustainable polymers, including the monomer purity and feedstock variability challenges
• Experience with automation or semi-automated synthesis workflows
• Previous work in an environment where experimental data fed directly into ML models
• Track record of growing a lab operation: hiring, managing throughput, optimizing cost per experiment
• Prior industry experience at a polymer company, coatings manufacturer, or materials startup

What they offer

• Employee stock options
• Flexible working hours
• Learning & Development Programme
• Build a lab from scratch with real budget and a clear mission
• 30 days of individual vacation plus up to 5 all-company holidays
• Gym membership and subsidised lunch