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Closed CLOSING DATE: 06/03/2014

Impact Solutions

Polymer Technologist

Undergraduate Degree, Postgraduate Degree

Closing Date:: 06/03/2014
Skill:: Science and environment
Region:: Forth Valley
Salary: £20,000 - £35,000 (depending on skills and experience)
Length:: 12 months
Ref code: DXNLCLYTRP

Placement summary

Impact Solutions, provider of product testing and plastic consultancy across the globe, is looking for an ambitious graduate to help provide technical direction to their team. Based at the company's ISO17025 accredited laboratory in Grangemouth, this is a unique opportunity for a technical specialist to manage a wide range of projects across a number of sectors and become a recognised world class expert in their chosen field. Starting with a 12 month contract, the intention would be for the graduate to become a core part of the company in the long-term.

Job description

Project Description

At Impact Solutions, we have over 30 years experience in the plastics industry and believe we are unique in the Polymer industry as one of the only labs in the EU who work with the entire supply chain from processors and manufacturers, to regulators and recyclers. We are both a laboratory and consultancy, working on specialist research and development and testing of plastics, with project-funding coming from both government and private sources.

Our team of 12 are highly specialised and we are now looking for a technical graduate who will be able to both, input fresh ideas and learn from our experienced staff in order to contribute to ongoing work.

With time, it would be every intention for this role to transition towards becoming Technical Director for the company, so this is a perfect opportunity for a graduate with a materials background/interest to train with experts in their field with potential to become a recognised international expert themself.

Placement Objectives

To give the successful applicant a wide variety of experience and training to develop their skills, in order that they can lead their own projects as a permanent employee beyond their placement.

Role Description

As the successful candidate, you will work on a number of customer-funded and internal projects and provide project management, technical guidance and direction to the project and the lab technicians. Our customers are based across the globe and we supply specialist services to the entire plastic supply chain. Projects will involve product testing and consultancy across a number of Impact's key areas of expertise including, pipe, tanks, packaging (especially UN containers) and the recycling of plastic. An individual program can last from a few hours to over a year and can be self completing or involving 5 or 6 staff members.

This is a fairly specialised role, which will, at times, be quite academic, as you will need to understand the proporties in order to instruct the lab technicians, however full training will be provided and we will actively support you to further your career and become an expert in this field.

The role will involve working on a number of projects and the successful applicant will be expected to do the following:

Design a programme based on the funders brief
Cost the program to the funder
Provide technical guidance to the lab technicians
Project manage the program both technically and commercially
Provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders.

The position is based in Grangemouth but it is expected that visits to stakeholders, conferences and trade fairs would be undertaken which would be both in the UK and abroad.

Qualifications

Graduate from PhD, MSc or BSc in a relevant subject. We are happy to consider applicants from a variety of backgrounds, for example, chemistry, physics, mathematics, (etc) who have an interest in/understanding of materials.

Skills / Experience

Essential Skills

Chemistry or Material Science experience (preferably in plastic)
Knowledge/understanding of the physical testing of plastic
Good team-working skills and effective delegation skills
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Aspire to develop strong leadership qualities to drive innovation (some experience of people management would be beneficial, whether in or outside of work)
Strong use of initiative and ability to act proactively, in order to capitalise on opportunities
Good self-management - ability to work on multiple projects at the same time (project management skills would be useful)
Strong personal values in customer service, quality and commercial awareness.

Desirable Skills

Knowledge and/or experience of leading technical programs would be useful
Knowledge and/or experience with pipe testing or UN container testing would be distinctly advantageous
Knowledge and/or experience of working in an ISO17025 laboratory or knowledge of UKAS accreditation would be useful
An existing network within the manufacturing and scientific communities would be beneficial

Benefits

Company benefits

Benefits will be dependent on skills and experience. Salary will be in the range of £20-35K which will be in return for a 37.5 hour week. We also offer 6 week paid holidays and pension plan.

Training (internal and external) and personal development will be encouraged and financial support will be available for this.

Placement benefits

As part of ScotGrad Graduate Placement Programme, the candidate will benefit from support from the ScotGrad team and may have access to training.

Additional information

Location: Grangemouth

This placement may result in a permanent employment afterwards

Preferred start date: 24/03/2014