R&D Chemistry Placement 2025

Arxada is a global specialty chemicals business that’s committed to solving the world’s toughest preservation challenges through better science. [With a proud history of innovation dating back more than a century], we aim to help our customers develop more sustainable solutions that protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of people and extend the life of vital infrastructure while working to reduce our and our customers’ ecological footprint.

Sustainable preservation is one of our top priorities. We are making significant strategic investments that will not only decrease our own environmental footprint, but also help customers adapt to long-term environmental and social change through the development of cleaner, greener solutions.

Arxada is looking for a R&D Chemistry Student Placement supporting the Global R&D, Hygiene, Home & Personal Care (HHPC) programme based at Arxada’s R&D hub in Manchester. This 13 month fixed-term contract is part of our proven annual industrial student placement programme that provides an insight into a career within research and development. This laboratory-based role supports Arxada’s Hygiene, Home & Personal Care programme through formulation development, performance evaluation and characterisation of prototype formulations.

Essential job functions

• Generate prototypes for formulation, efficacy testing and performance evaluation (e.g. cleaning properties, skin care assessments, sensory panel testing) of said product systems.
• Support or lead protocol development activities to refine testing methodologies.
• Contribute to the development and fundamental characterisation of novel Hygiene, Home and Personal Care formulations, preservatives, and surfactant systems.
• To participate and contribute to site and departmental safety activities.
• Keep up to date lab-book, monthly report of work and write-up summary of findings during placement. Participate in HHPC team meetings and stakeholder presentations as required and be prepared to present and discuss own programme of work.
• Exposure to research in industry; be introduced to various functions and roles at Arxada.

Qualifications and experience

• Studying for a B.Sc or M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science or Formulation Science.
• Strong A-level results in physical sciences, especially chemistry.
• Knowledge of physical chemistry and formulation science.
• Ideally a knowledge or background in soft matter physics or surfactant chemistry.
• Ability to draw own conclusions from data and make recommendations for next steps.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a willingness to learn and adopt new skills.
• Confidence to present own work to a varied audience, ranging from scientific experts to non-scientists.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

gb08