1. Our Mission

Promoting a future that is nature-inspired.

We are a sustainable material science company dedicated to developing innovative materials that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. Sparxell’s products are sustainably designed to overcome the challenges associated with synthetic and unethically-sourced pigments.

Redesigning the way colours are made.

Sparxell’s pioneering pigments are made with cellulose extracted from plants, nanostructured in a wide range of vibrant shades. Sparxell’s patented technology arises from multiple years of interdisciplinary research performed at the University of Cambridge. It has been awarded several major innovation prizes, shedding light on Sparxell’s ambitions to foster sustainability in advanced materials, with a targeted impact on multiple sectors that heavily rely on colouring matter, from cosmetics to fashion, packaging,
paint and food.

2. What we're looking for

Working closely with our management team, the lead scientists and the rest of the R&D team, you will support laboratory-scale manufacturing experiments to scale-up Sparxell’s current technology, while contributing to the development of future technology and processes.

Your main tasks will involve: -

• • Carrying-out the company’s research-production strategy as set by the company.
  • Conducting experiments and preparing samples using iterative techniques to deliver minimum viable products.
  • Preparing laboratory samples, analysing data using standard analytical instrumentation and reporting results.
  • Maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies to ensure their proper functioning.
  • Troubleshooting equipment and methodological issues.
  • Contributing to setting up and managing laboratory protocols.
  • Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Supporting intellectual property development and protection.
  • Collaborating with internal teams and external partners, including customers, academic institutions, and government agencies.
  • Representing the company in technical conferences, meetings, and other events from time to time

3. Your profile & qualifications

We are seeking a highly skilled person capable of careful and independent work, familiar with standard laboratory techniques and keen on learning, ideally with prior experience in one or more of the following areas:

• • Nanocellulose material preparation, such as prior experience with suspension, film and coating.
  • Plant-based or bio-based polymer formulation and materials.
  • Photonic properties, liquid crystal and matter nanostructuration.
  • Process engineering and manufacturing processes.
  • Lignocellulosic bio-refinery, pre-treatment and extraction.
  • Plant-based or bio-based polymer preparation or chemical functionalisation.

You earned at least a B.A. or equivalent with relevant academic and/or industrial experience. Profiles without degrees having outstanding professional experience are also welcome.

You are proficient in various laboratory techniques and equipment, which you can optimise independently.

You are a team player who communicates with passion and accuracy on each project you are part of, accurately documenting your work and reporting it.

Your command of English is very good, and you may be fluent in another language. You have good organisational skills including effective management of own workload.

You have proven problem-solving skills and initiative, individually and within a team context.

You are keen to engage in a fast-paced and exciting working environment in which you will play a decisive role in the company’s future success.

4. Benefits & Conditions

Deadline for application: 31st of May 2023.

Contract: Full-time fixed-term contract of 20 months in the first instance. Later, this can lead to an open-ended contract and career advancement and opportunities.

Starting: When available, ideally by the 1st of July 2023.

Location: Cambridge, UK, with international mobility and flexible working arrangements.

Estimated remuneration: £ 25 – 33k with early employee equity package.

Right to work in the UK: We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working with us. Therefore, if you still need to get the right to work in the UK, any offer of employment will be conditional upon you gaining this right.

References: Offers of appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.

5. Considering joining our team?

If you want to join our endeavour, please send your CV and a cover letter to contact@sparxell.com. Please name your documents as JobID_Forename Surname_CV or CL for faster internal processing. With these two mandatory documents, feel free to add any miscellaneous material supporting your application.

Colour speaks to all, and so does Sparxell. Our company is committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees belong. We encourage women, people of colour, of all ages, individuals with disabilities, gender-expansive individuals and LGBTQ+ candidates, and other under-represented minorities to apply to this position.

We will aim to review your application within a week and get back to you within a reasonable time with a final decision on your application.