AkzoNobel
Product Development Chemist
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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.
For more information, please visit www.akzonobel.com.
© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
R&D Chemist - Slough
£competitive plus benefits
We welcome applications from candidates with a degree in Chemistry and preferably some industrial experience. If this opportunity excites you, we'd love to hear from you.
At AkzoNobel, we've been pioneering colour, protection, and performance for more than 200 years. Our Decorative Paints R&D teams are at the forefront of developing innovative coatings that enhance homes and buildings across the world. By combining science, creativity, and sustainability, we're helping shape the future of paint.
We're committed to building diverse, inclusive teams that reflect the customers and communities we serve.
About the Role
As an R&D Chemist, you'll play an important role in developing and testing new decorative paint formulations as part of our EMEA Product Development Centre (PDC) Walls team.
Working alongside experienced chemists and technical specialists, you'll carry out laboratory experiments, analyze results, and contribute to projects that support the development and improvement of our decorative coatings portfolio. You'll gain valuable experience in formulation development while working in a collaborative, safety-focused R&D environment.
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This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career chemist or someone with relevant industrial experience who is looking to develop a career in product development.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Carry out experimental laboratory work to support product development projects
- Plan and prioritize your daily workload to deliver projects within agreed timescales
- Interpret, analyze, and communicate experimental results clearly and accurately
- Record findings using appropriate laboratory and reporting systems
- Support the development and optimization of decorative paint formulations
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the PDC to solve technical challenges
- Identify and communicate any issues that may impact project delivery
- Maintain high standards of laboratory safety and work in accordance with HSE procedures
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratory
What We're Looking For
You don't have to tick every box — we value curiosity, teamwork, and a passion for science.
Ideal candidates will bring:
- A degree in Chemistry
- Some experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, or product development environment is desirable
- Strong practical laboratory skills and a methodical approach to experimental work
- Good analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Competency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- A collaborative approach and commitment to working safely
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What Makes This Role a Great Opportunity
- Develop your career within one of the world's leading coatings companies
- Gain hands-on experience in decorative paint formulation and product development
- Work alongside experienced chemists and technical experts
- Contribute to products used by millions of customers across Europe
- Access excellent learning and development opportunities within a global R&D organization
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 centered on inclusion, development, and work-life balance
- Access to global learning and career progression opportunities
At AkzoNobel, we believe diverse teams make stronger decisions, drive innovation, and create better outcomes. If you're passionate about chemistry, enjoy solving technical challenges, and want to help develop the next generation of decorative coatings, we'd love to hear from you.
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At AkzoNobel, we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. 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.
Requisition ID: 55031
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