Materials Scientist

London, N4
️ 4 days in our office, 1 day from home (choose from Tue–Thu)
£35-45k per annum + equity

About Shellworks

At Shellworks, we’re on a mission to make plastic waste a thing of the past. We’re creating a new generation of materials - sustainable, high-performing, and designed to disappear. By reimagining how materials are made, we’re tackling one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.

About The Role

As part of our fast-paced, collaborative environment, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the planet while growing your expertise. If you're passionate about using your scientific skills to solve complex challenges and create a better future, this is the perfect role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the development of proprietary polymer blends and additive packages. You’ll be responsible for expanding our core material's scope, successfully hitting commercial performance targets.

• You will develop formulations that remain robust and uncompromising during a product’s shelf-life but maintain rapid biodegradability the moment they reach their end-of-life.

• Develop a predictive framework that correlates lab-based data to real-world machine settings. Your goal is to eliminate trial-and-error by predicting how materials will behave before they hit the factory floor.

• Expand our internal testing suite to connect microstructure analysis (crystallinity, melt stability, etc) to macroscopic failure modes.

• Work with suppliers on new materials, including incoming material analysis, testing and qualification.

• As a member of a dynamic team, you won’t just stay in your lane. You’ll jump in wherever needed from vetting new sustainable feedstock suppliers to identifying and researching new opportunity spaces.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Holds a Graduate Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field, with at least 1 year of industry experience.

• Brings a proactive, results-driven mindset and a strong willingness to learn - this is a hands-on role that requires curiosity and initiative.

• Demonstrates solid skills in experimental design, with a passion for experimentation, data analysis, validation, and thorough documentation.

• Has a first-principles knowledge of chemistry and structure-property relationships.

• You thrive in a high-autonomy, fast-moving start-up environment - spotting opportunities, building structure from scratch, and moving projects forward without waiting for instruction.

• Independent decision maker, you feel confident operating in ambiguity while driving clarity and momentum.

• A do it yourself / can do mentality - not focussed on boundaries but interdisciplinary problem solving.

What we offer

28 days holiday + statutory holidays
Enhanced parental leave - 12 weeks maternity at full pay, 6 weeks paternity at full pay
Heka wellbeing allowance - to spend on what matters to you - gym, therapy, nutrition, learning, fertility and menopause support, and lots of other options!
Virtual GP - same or next day appointments and private prescriptions delivered to you
Cycle to work scheme - buy, subscribe to, or share a bike with savings of up to 42% via salary sacrifice
Competitive salary + equity options
Growth and development opportunities as we scale
Regular socials + daily catered lunch at the office
A tightly knit, passionate team making a real impact

Join Us

Becoming a part of Shellworks means being part of a team that’s passionate about sustainability and innovation. Our world-class team includes experts in materials science and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better future. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible.

This role involves travel and requires manual handling of goods up to 25kg in weight.