Polyurethane Technologist

Location Nottingham
Discipline: Chemicals, Polymers
Job type: Chemist
Salary: ££35,000 - £50,000 depending on experience
Contact name: Dr Jeremy Clarke

Contact email: jeremy@merrittrecruitment.com
Job ref: 434
Published: about 1 month ago

Polyurethane Technologist

Exciting role with a leading polyurethane foam manufacturer with operations near Nottingham. Our client manufactures a range of foams for industries as diverse as furniture, bedding and healthcare. They are a growing business and are looking for a Polyurethane Technologist to drive product innovation, development, improvement and reformulation. You need to have industrial experience developing polyurethane based foams including experience using and incorporating additives, catalysts and flame retardants.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Trials & Mixing

  • Mixing trialsusing defined formulations and test plans

  • Prepare chemical premixes (e.g. catalysts, surfactants, additives, fire retardants)

  • Precisely weigh and handle laboratory chemicals

  • Monitor and record reaction behaviour, including rise profile, exotherm, stability, and visual quality

  • Conduct physical properties and burn testing on trial foams

  • Analyse and trend results against target performance

Formulation & Analysis Support

  • Develop new and adjusted formulations based on physical and fire test results

  • Identify trends and improvement opportunities

  • Continuous material development through structured testing and feedback loops

Documentation & Traceability

  • Maintain accurate chemical usage records

  • Detailed recording to ensure traceability through labelling and record‑keeping

SOPs, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

  • Creating, updating, and improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

  • Follow health, safety, COSHH, and laboratory best practices at all times

  • 5S and continuous improvement

  • Maintain a clean, organised, and efficient laboratory environment

Skills & Experience

  • Experience working with polyurethane technologies in a laboratory environment

  • Experience with materials testing, polymers, foams, or chemical formulations

  • Strong attention to experimental design, with a methodical working style

  • Ability to follow procedures and accurately record data

  • Good written communication for documentation and reporting

Personal Attributes

  • Organised and reliable

  • Safety‑conscious and compliant

  • Curious and analytical mindset – can work independently

  • Comfortable working independently but collaborates well with engineers and developers

  • Practical, hands‑on approach to problem solving

Great opportunity to innovate and be part of a highly successful organisation with competitive salary and package on offer.

You must have an existing right to work in the UK. Our client is unable to sponsor visa applications