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Principal Chemist
Principal Chemist – R&D (Life Sciences & Bioprocessing)
Location: Llantrisant, UK Company: Purolite, an Ecolab company Industry: Chemical manufacturing (ion exchange media, chromatography, and bioprocessing resins)
About the Role
Ecolab is the second-largest ion exchange resin manufacturer globally and the sole dedicated company to resin technology. As part of Purolite, Ecolab specializes in Life Sciences & Bioprocessing innovations, driving research and development at its manufacturing facility in the South Wales Valleys.
This full-time position offers a career in rational research, process optimization, and product development within a dynamic industrial environment. The Principal Chemist will synthesise new ion exchange resins, adsorbents, and chromatography media, supporting the commercialisation of cutting-edge bioprocessing solutions.
Core responsibilities include:
- Designing, synthesising, and optimising new chemistries for ion exchange resins, adsorbents, chromatography media, and bioprocessing resins.
- Conducting process optimisation to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Evaluating latest developments through patent, peer-reviewed research, and industry publications.
- Working independently and collaboratively with R&D, production, and technical transfer teams.
- Maintaining health and safety standards, including COSHH compliance, risk assessments and lab safety protocols.
- Representing Ecolab externally in research forums and industry circles.
- Undertaking additional tasks as required by company leadership.
Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation
- Synthesis of novel organic/polymer resins (ion exchange, adsorbents, chromatography, bioprocessing).
- Process optimisation for new methodologies to enhance yield, reduce waste, and lower costs.
- Characterisation of resins using chromatographic, particle size, porosity, and functional group techniques.
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Collaboration & Commercialisation
- Strong liaison with process development, technical transfer, and production teams for product commercialisation.
- Project leadership role in product development, potentially across international initiatives.
Research & Intellectual Property
- Staying current with global patents, academic literature, and industry trends in resin, biopharmaceutical, and environmental technologies.
Laboratory Operations & Compliance
- Ensuring laboratory health and safety (e.g., COSHH, MSDS, risk assessments).
- Managing and maintaining technical databases relating to chemical safety and product specifications.
Project & Process Improvements
- Identifying and implementing cost-effective, scaleable production methods, including emulsification, bead preparation, and polymer activation.
- Conducting laboratory and pilot-scale tests on modern techniques for quality and consistency improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry (preferably with a specialism in synthetic chemistry, organic/polymer chemistry).
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in R&D with industrial preference; academic R&D acceptable but secondary to practical, applied experience.
- Experiential knowledge of resin/adsorbent synthesis methods, understanding of bead preparation (natural/electrosynthesised).
- First-hand experience of chromatographic techniques and routinely used analytical methods (e.g., functional group characterisation, porosity analysis).
- Teamwork and independent working due to project-based nature.
- Some supervisory experience, managing project teams or guiding staff members in implementing科研 execution.
- Strong attention to detail and qualitative communication skills (scientific report writing).
- Proven health and safety awareness in high-hazard research environments (organic/polymer synthesis).
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Desirable Qualifications
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Prior experience in Bioprocessing industries (searching for resins/chromatography media for biorefinery).
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Expertise in emulsion polymerisation process (droplet formation, stabilisations).
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Broad hydrocolloid/polymer gel understanding (swelling behaviour, interactions, characterisation).
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Project management experience for full product lifecycle management.
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Capability to handle large-scale reactions (scales of 2-5 litres).
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Knowledge of GMP/GLP compliance for biopharmaceutical research (advantageous).
About Ecolab – Why Join?
Ecolab is a global leader in science-based solutions for cleanliness, hygiene, water management, and sustainability across sectors including food, hospitality, healthcare, and Life Sciences. Headquartered in St Paul, USA, with operations in 170+ countries, Ecolab combines corporate innovation with a model of progress.
Core values and commitment to growth:
- Talent-first philosophy – Investing in diverse, inclusive teams to drive cutting-edge solutions.
- Energy-efficient, circular economy solutions to improve resource utilisation and sustainability.
- Court as a aware global society, enhancing public health, food safety, and environmental stewardship.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DE&I) commitments: Ecolab guarantees fair, equitable employment across all levels of work, prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, or any protected category.
Apply through [Ecolab Careers](link removed) and contribute in shaping tomorrow’s chemical innovations.
Region: EU Hashtag: #li-eu
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