Research and Development Officer

Job Summary

The Research and Development Officer will support the development, testing and improvement of products, processes and technical documentation. The role involves planning and conducting experiments, analysing results, maintaining accurate records, and working with cross‑functional teams to translate research findings into practical solutions that meet regulatory and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Planning & Experimentation
• Design and plan experiments, prototypes and trials in line with project objectives and resource constraints
• Prepare materials, equipment and protocols; ensure experiments are run safely and reproducibly
• Apply scientific and engineering principles to investigate performance, durability, manufacturability and cost
• Data Collection & Analysis
• Collect, record and analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical and analytical methods
• Interpret results to identify trends, root causes and opportunities for improvement
• Prepare clear summaries, charts and reports to communicate findings to stakeholders
• Product & Process Development
• Support development of new products or enhancements, including materials selection, process parameters and prototype refinement
• Work with design, production and procurement teams to ensure solutions are practical and cost‑effective
• Contribute to scale‑up activities and pilot trials to validate manufacturability and performance
• Documentation & Technical Support
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, test records and data files; upload reports and supporting documents to the document management system
• Draft and review technical specifications, test plans and standard operating procedures
• Provide technical support to production and site teams during trials and implementation
• Quality, Compliance & Safety
• Ensure all R&D activities comply with relevant standards, regulatory requirements and company quality systems
• Record non‑conformances, contribute to root‑cause investigations and support corrective actions
• Follow and promote health, safety and environmental practices in the laboratory and workshop
• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
• Liaise with stakeholders including engineering, procurement, suppliers and external laboratories to deliver project milestones
• Participate in project meetings, present progress updates and propose practical solutions
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, development of best practice and knowledge sharing

Requirements

Education

• Degree or higher in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Applied Science or related discipline

Experience

• 2+ years’ experience in research, product development or laboratory roles within a relevant industry
• Practical experience with experimental design, testing methodologies and data analysis

Technical Competencies

• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and test methods relevant to the product area
• Experience using analytical tools and software for data handling, statistics and reporting (e.g. Excel, statistical packages)
• Strong technical writing skills for reports, procedures and specifications
• Familiarity with quality systems, regulatory requirements and risk assessment techniques
• Competence in maintaining audit‑ready records and document control processes

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on innovative projects within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Professional development, training and career progression opportunities
• Supportive environment that values continuous improvement and knowledge sharing