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