Senior Development Scientist - Environmental & Heavy Metal Sensing

iGii have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Development Scientist, with deep expertise in electrochemical environmental and heavy metal sensing to join our rapidly expanding R&D department.

This is an excellent opportunity work in a high-growth environment with a fast-paced and collaborative culture where you will work with some fantastic customers conducting research at the forefront of science and technology.

In this role, the Senior Development Scientist will own defined technical work packages and sensor development streams, from feasibility and proof-of-concept through to validation, scale-up readiness and transfer into product development. The successful candidate will be expected to set experimental strategy, make evidence-based technical decisions and influence project direction, timelines and priorities, in alignment with the company's innovation roadmap and commercial goals.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a subject matter-expert, with hands-on experience in electrochemical environmental and heavy metal detection, to drive our in-house technologies and provide technical leadership across experimental design, analytical performance assessment and translation of laboratory findings into robust product-development recommendations. As a senior scientist, you will lead by example through significant hands-on lab work, shaping the direction of our biosensor development while remaining deeply engaged in experimental design and execution. 

Our existing team have achieved excellent results using Gii for the detection of various environmental targets and heavy metals, and we are looking for someone to take it to the next level of detection. For this reason, it is essential that there is a demonstration of not only technical expertise, but also a collaborative mindset developed in an industrial setting, as well as:

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will have gained through advanced education, (PhD or specialist Masters) and/or relevant industry experience, a core knowledge and understanding of electrochemistry principles.

You will be able to demonstrate through recent industry experience (this could be within a spin-out, early-stage, or mature commercially oriented organisation):

• Proven hands-on experience with electrochemical environmental and heavy metal detection.
• Significant experience contributing to R&D projects involving:
  • Application and evaluation of electrochemical techniques within a sensor development environment using low concentration of analytes.
  • Developing sensors/nanotechnology for environmental and heavy metal detection.
  • Innovation and problem-solving in experimental design and execution

• Development of electrochemical sensing technologies from early feasibility through to robust, reproducible performance in real-world environmental conditions.

• Knowledge of voltametric techniques such as ASV, SWV, DPV, CV, LSV.

• Experience defining and assessing analytical performance criteria including limit of detection, limit of quantification, sensitivity, selectivity, linear range, calibration strategy, repeatability, reproducibility, stability, interference effects and matrix effects.

• A track record of translating research into commercially viable products or solutions and delivering projects that meet commercial and regulatory requirements.

• Experience translating design inputs, performance requirements and acceptance criteria into practical experimental plans that support product verification, validation and commercialisation.

Technical and scientific skills required for R&D in a commercial context:

• Strong ability to design, execute and interpret complex experiments with a rigorous and methodical approach.

• Strong capability in design of experiments, statistical analysis, quantitative data interpretation, uncertainty assessment and clear traceability of experimental decisions.

• Solid understanding of GLP and standard laboratory techniques and practices, and experience working within a regulatory environment.

• Experience working within a quality-managed environment such as ISO 9001 or equivalent, including robust documentation, change control, risk assessment, auditable laboratory records and health, safety and environmental compliance.

• Proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and contribute to internal reviews or external collaboration, including product management, engineering, manufacturing/process development, quality, regulatory, commercial teams, customers, external partners, universities and contract laboratories.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional development and scientific curiosity.

Additional Desirable Experience:

• Prior experience in electroplating or electrodeposition could be advantageous for this role.

• Familiarity with scaling up processes from laboratory to pilot scale, including supporting commercialisation efforts.

• Experience assessing sensor performance in complex real-world matrices such as water, wastewater, soil extracts, industrial effluents or field-relevant samples, including sample preparation or pre-treatment where required.
• Experience benchmarking electrochemical sensor performance against reference analytical methods such as ICP-MS, ICP-OES or AAS would be advantageous.

• Awareness of IP generation and protection processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects or mentor junior scientists in an industrial setting.

• Experience coaching junior scientists, reviewing experimental plans and data, setting laboratory best practice, contributing to capability-building and presenting technical recommendations to senior stakeholders.

What you will do

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborate and innovate with colleagues in R&D and Engineering on the development of products and processes for several applications.  The focus will be on developing real-world viable solutions utilising established industry methods and materials.

• Define sensor performance requirements and acceptance criteria in collaboration with engineering, product, quality and commercial stakeholders, ensuring laboratory development is aligned with product needs and customer use cases.

• Develop novel methodologies and process optimisation routes relevant to environmental and
  heavy metal sensing.
• Performance assessment and benchmarking against SPEs and Au electrodes.

• Design and execute verification and validation experiments to assess sensor robustness, manufacturability, stability, reproducibility and suitability for field-relevant environmental applications.

• Preparation and optimisation of a range of buffer solutions suitable for environmental and
  heavy metal sensing.
• Run accumulation and stripping experiments using appropriate electrochemical techniques with optimised parameters.
• Detection of environmental and heavy metal ions using Gii electrodes from ppm to ppb range.
• Evaluate matrix effects, interference from competing ions and other environmental variables, and develop mitigation strategies to improve selectivity and reliability in real-world samples.
• Rigorous experiment and data management: experimental execution, analysis and interpretation must be credible, defensible to drive product development from concept to scale-up.
• Prepare high-quality technical documentation including standard operating procedures and reports.
• Staying up to date with current trends in environmental and heavy metal sensing through routine review of scientific literature.

• Provide technical leadership by coaching junior colleagues, reviewing data quality, setting best practice in electrochemical testing and presenting clear recommendations to project leads and senior stakeholders.

What we offer

This role is offered as a full-time position, working hours are 37.5 hours per week onsite at our facility in Euro House, Stirling.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. Visa sponsorship is available, and we can provide a relocation package where needed.

In addition to a competitive salary and 33 days of annual leave (including statutory holidays) we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and professional growth. This includes:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life insurance
• Income protection
• Access to mental wellbeing resources and support, including up to six coaching or counselling sessions per year through our wellbeing partner, Oliva
• Training and development opportunities to help grow your career
• Freedom to arrange your schedule around our core working hours (09:30am - 16:00pm), designed to help you perform at your best.

We take great pride in being a social and collaborative organisation. We meet regularly as a Company and as teams, sharing ideas over breakfast or lunch, celebrating achievements, and recognising milestones at a team and individual level.

We are scaling up rapidly and value our culture, you will shape the company’s future innovation capabilities through your ideas and skillset. Join us now and make your mark on both your career and our growth journey. 

Where we are

We are based in Stirling in central Scotland, a city with rich historical significance. As well as being historic, Stirling is in a great position for quick access to Edinburgh and Glasgow by public transport. It also has easy to access to the Highlands and rural Scotland.

Apply because you want to:

• Work with a diverse, international team on a challenge that will positively impact the world.
• Join a mission-driven company that’s focused on delivering far better and more sustainable products
• Join a high growth company and put some big wins on your CV wherever you are in your career.
• Surround yourself with very smart, open, curious, and action-oriented people with opportunities to learn at every turn.

What happens next?

We have a range of customers from a variety of backgrounds, industries and locations. Therefore, we are searching for a diverse group of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do to collaborate and produce the best possible work for our consumers.

If this sounds like the role and company for you, apply by following the link.

Our interview process is straightforward and designed to help us get to know each other:

• Introduction call: A remote 45-minute conversation with the hiring team to explore your background and the role.
• Additional assessment: Where it adds value, we may use a trusted third-party partner to run a tailored skills or behavioural assessment that offers deeper insight for both sides aligned to the role.
• Optional on-site visit: You may be invited to our Stirling office so you can get a feel for the team and working environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments required to the interview process, please let us know upon application any requirements. 

We will close the application link to the role once we have received an ample talent pool full of superstar applicants. Don’t worry though, if you like the look of the role but need a little longer to perfect your application, just get in touch at; people@igii.uk and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

The Company

iGii are a world-class team of technologists, scientists, engineers, product developers. We produce Gii, an advanced 3D carbon nanomaterial transforming electrochemical sensing.

Engineered as a pure, porous, 3D carbon nanostructure, Gii provides exceptional electrochemical performance, enhanced sensitivity, and long-term stability, making it the ideal material for next-generation sensing applications. The novel properties of Gii also allow it to be incorporated into devices across a range of sectors, from automotive to electronics. We’ve previously used Gii as a component in heating elements, thermocouple, electrodes and EMI shields.