R&D Chemist - Colorants

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

R&D Chemist - Colorants

Location: Slough, GB

Competitive salary + benefits

Please note - we welcome applications from people with relevant experience and transferable skills, even if you don't meet every requirement. If this role sparks your interest, we'd love to hear from you.

At AkzoNobel, we've been pioneering colour, protection and performance for more than 200 years. Our R&D teams develop innovative coating technologies that help customers around the world achieve better performance, sustainability and efficiency. We're committed to building diverse, inclusive teams that reflect the customers and communities we serve.

About the Role

As a R&D Chemist in our Pigments, Colorants and Hardware division, you'll play a key role in supporting and delivering laboratory projects focused on the development and optimisation of colourant technologies. Working closely with the Colorants Team Leader and wider R&D colleagues, you'll conduct experiments, evaluate formulations and contribute to the development of innovative products that meet customer and business needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with laboratory experience who enjoys practical experimentation, problem solving and working in a collaborative research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct and analyse laboratory experiments in collaboration with the Colorants Team Leader
• Screen raw materials and develop colourant formulations
• Produce and evaluate milled colourant formulations using established laboratory processes
• Carry out physical and analytical testing of wet and dry paint samples and interpret results
• Support the optimisation and improvement of colourant performance and product properties
• Maintain laboratory equipment used for colourant manufacturing and testing activities
• Record, analyse and communicate experimental findings through reports and presentations
• Provide technical support to manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, customer service and R&D colleagues
• Assist with troubleshooting and supervision of production batches when required
• Contribute ideas for new, improved, safer and more sustainable products, processes and procedures
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe laboratory environment in line with HSE&S requirements

What We're Looking For

You don't have to tick every box - we value curiosity, collaboration and a willingness to learn.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• A degree in Chemistry (or related topic)
• Basic knowledge of coatings chemistry, polymers or formulation technologies
• Strong practical laboratory skills and the ability to work accurately and safely
• Good analytical and problem solving abilities
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English
• Good organisational and time management skills
• A proactive, results oriented approach with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute new ideas

What Makes This Role a Great Opportunity

• Develop specialist expertise in colourant formulation and testing
• Work on projects that contribute directly to new product development and performance improvements
• Collaborate with experienced scientists and technical specialists
• Gain exposure to manufacturing, supply chain and customer facing technical activities
• Build your career within a global organisation focused on innovation and sustainability

Why AkzoNobel?

We offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Pension, life assurance and income protection
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle
• A culture centred on inclusion, development and work-life balance
• Access to global learning and career progression opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best selves. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.