Scientific Officer - Regulatory & Testing

Location United Kingdom
Discipline: Chemicals
Salary: £35,000
Contact name: Amber Alexander

Contact email: amber@merrittrecruitment.com
Job ref: 415
Published: about 7 hours ago
Startdate: ASAP

​Our client is an innovative and technically driven organisation operating at the forefront of bio-polymeric and sustainable materials development. With a strong focus on advanced polymer science, regulatory compliance, and quality excellence, they support a growing customer base across food-contact and performance-critical applications. As part of continued growth, they are seeking a Scientific Officer to support research, quality, and regulatory activities. This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative, science-led environment where technical expertise, curiosity, and continuous improvement are actively encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct routine and project-based materials testing, including Melt Flow Index (MFI), disintegration and degradation testing, and food-contact compliance testing.

  • Analyse, interpret, and report test data clearly through technical and scientific documentation.

  • Carry out and interpret physical and mechanical testing such as tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, density, and thermal performance testing (e.g. HDT, Vicat).

  • Assess dimensional and thermal stability of materials.

  • Evaluate structure–property relationships and link material performance to formulation and processing conditions.

  • Support benchmarking, qualification, troubleshooting, and failure analysis activities.

  • Manage and maintain ISO registration (e.g. ISO 9001 and other relevant standards).

  • Ensure laboratory and operational activities are compliant with ISO and internal quality requirements.

  • Prepare for and coordinate internal and external audits.

  • Maintain SOPs, quality documentation, CAPA records, and continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Support risk assessments and quality system development.

  • Provide technical support to polymer compounding and processing activities, including formulation development and optimisation.

  • Offer input on material performance, processing behaviour, and scale-up considerations.

  • Work closely with R&D, production, and quality teams to support development and commercialisation activities.

  • Support regulatory compliance for bio-polymeric materials, particularly food-contact legislation and biodegradation/disintegration standards.

  • Assist with preparation of technical dossiers, regulatory submissions, and customer-facing documentation.

  • Support the use of AI and data-driven tools in polymer development and materials optimisation.

  • Maintain accurate laboratory records and contribute to digital data management and traceability systems.

Candidate Profile

  • Strong technical background in polymer science and polymeric material behaviour.

  • Hands-on experience with physical, mechanical, and thermal testing of polymers.

  • Familiarity with MFI, degradation, disintegration, and food-contact testing methods.

  • Experience managing or supporting ISO quality management systems and audits.

  • Understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to bio-polymeric and food-contact materials.

  • Knowledge of polymer compounding and processing is advantageous.

  • Analytical, detail-oriented, and highly organised with strong documentation skills.

  • Comfortable working collaboratively across scientific, quality, and operational teams.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation working at the forefront of bio-polymeric materials and sustainable technologies. The role offers exposure to advanced materials development, quality and regulatory frameworks, and the chance to make a meaningful technical contribution within a collaborative, science-led team.