Research and Development Officer

About This Role

This Research and Development Officer role supports the creation, testing, and enhancement of products, processes, and technical documentation. It involves planning and conducting experiments, analyzing results, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to convert research into practical solutions that meet quality and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Collect, record, and analyze 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

• Degree or higher in Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Applied Science, or related discipline
• 2+ years' experience in research, product development, or laboratory roles within a relevant industry
• Practical experience with experimental design, testing methodologies, and data analysis
• 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

Benefits

• 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