Development Chemist

Development Chemist – Aerosols | Birkenhead | Full-time | Competitive Pay & Great Benefits

Are you an experienced Development Chemist with a background in formulation development and a keen interest in aerosol technology? Hydrokem Aerosols is looking for a proactive and detail-focused chemist to join our technical team and help develop innovative, high-performing aerosol products across a range of sectors including medical, personal care, household and industrial applications.

This is an exciting opportunity for a chemist with 2–3 years’ industry experience to play a hands-on role in the development of aerosol-based products, from early-stage formulation and laboratory testing through to scale-up and production support. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to create safe, compliant and commercially effective products while developing your expertise in a specialist and evolving area of formulation chemistry.

The Development Chemist Role

As a Development Chemist, you will support the design, development and optimisation of aerosol formulations, working with pressurised systems, propellants, packaging compatibility and product performance. This is a varied role suited to someone who enjoys practical laboratory work, technical problem-solving and bringing new product ideas through to manufacture.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and optimise aerosol formulations including sprays, foams and mousses to meet performance, quality and cost objectives
• Conduct laboratory testing to assess product performance, stability and compatibility with propellants and packaging components
• Support the scale-up of products from laboratory through to pilot stage and transfer into production, including filling trials
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and prepare technical documentation and reports
• Assist with troubleshooting formulation, processing or production issues
• Work collaboratively with manufacturing, quality and regulatory teams to support successful product development and launch
• Monitor developments in aerosol technologies, raw materials, scientific literature and relevant regulations
• Ensure all development work is carried out in line with health, safety and environmental standards

About You

We’re looking for a motivated chemist with a solid grounding in formulation and laboratory testing, ideally gained within aerosols or a related product environment.

Essential skills and experience:

• Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline
• 2–3 years’ industry experience in formulation or product development
• Hands-on experience in formulation development and laboratory testing
• Understanding of analytical techniques used in product evaluation, such as viscosity, particle size and spray pattern analysis
• Familiarity with standard laboratory analytical equipment, such as FTIR
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis and organisational skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team
• Clear communication skills and confidence working with internal stakeholders across technical, manufacturing and quality functions

Desirable experience:

• Experience working with aerosol systems, including propellants, valves and packaging components
• Exposure to aerosol filling equipment or pilot plant trials
• Experience in personal care, household, automotive, industrial or FMCG formulations
• Knowledge of relevant regulations such as CLP, REACH, VOC limits and the transport of dangerous goods
• Familiarity with stability testing protocols and accelerated ageing studies

Benefits

Hydrokem Aerosols offers a competitive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance and professional development, including:

• Performance-related bonus
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus 1 gifted company day
• Option to purchase up to 3 additional days’ holiday
• Christmas factory shutdown
• Company pension scheme
• Accident insurance
• Simply Health and Unum Help@Hand
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Free on-site parking
• Hydrokem Social Day

Why Join Hydrokem Aerosols?

This is a great opportunity to join a business operating in a specialist technical area, where you’ll gain exposure to a broad range of aerosol product development projects and build expertise in a growing market.

The role offers the chance to develop your career into senior formulation, aerosol specialist or technical leadership positions over time, with scope to deepen your knowledge in areas such as:

• Advanced aerosol delivery systems
• Sustainable product development, including low-VOC and alternative propellant technologies
• Regulatory and technical leadership within aerosol innovation

Apply

If you’re a hands-on Development Chemist looking to build your career in aerosol formulation and product development, we’d love to hear from you.

Please include your salary expectations as part of your application.