The opportunity
A university-backed materials scale-up is developing a new generation of self-healing polymer materials for demanding industrial applications.
The technology is already functional and validated at lab scale.
The next step is to push material performance further, explore new chemistries, and prepare the ground for industrialisation.
This role offers the opportunity to work on open scientific questions, where experimentation, iteration, and creativity are part of the job, not exceptions.
What you gain by joining
• Work on a breakthrough self-healing polymer technology with no direct market equivalent
• Join very early: small team (≈7 people), secured public funding (>€1M), ongoing investor discussions
• Collaborate directly with experienced polymer scientists and academic advisors who have been developing this technology for more than 15 years
• Benefit from scientific autonomy within a clear framework
• Participate in the upside of the company through a stock-option plan
This is not a support role.
This is a core R&D role.
The company
• University spin-off transitioning from academic research to private scale-up
• Focus: self-healing polymer materials applied to the tyre and broader polymer industry
• Current output: up to 100 kg of material already produced
• Industrial partnerships already in place
• Culture: scientific, hands-on, still being shaped. No corporate layers
Your mission
Your objective is to finalise the R&D phase by tackling unresolved material challenges.
You will:
• Explore and design new polymer chemistries
• Optimise formulations across wide temperature and performance ranges
• Perform polymer synthesis, processing and characterisation
• Analyse failures, iterate, document results and propose next steps
• Communicate results clearly within a small, expert team
Lab work is central.
Reporting supports decisions, not bureaucracy.
Your environment
• Direct manager: senior polymer scientist
• Management style: autonomy, clear objectives, no micromanagement
• R&D team: currently 2 people
• Close collaboration between materials, testing and business teams
• All necessary equipment, tools and training are provided
What success looks like
After one year, you:
• Navigate the technology independently
• Propose and test new ideas proactively
• Contribute concrete advances toward a market-ready material
• Accept uncertainty and learn quickly from experiments that fail
Performance is assessed through short-, mid-, and long-term milestones, not artificial KPIs.
Your background
• Master's or PhD in chemistry, materials science, or polymers
• 0–3 years of experience in industry or applied research
• Solid foundation in polymer chemistry and characterisation
Hands-on experience with:
• Rheometry
• DSC, DMA, TGA
• FT-IR
What matters most:
• Problem-solving mindset
• Scientific curiosity
• Dedication and resilience
• Clear communication
Working conditions
• Location: Belgium (Zaventem / Ixelles area)
• Work mode: hybrid, but mostly on-site due to lab work
• Contract: permanent
• Salary: discussed based on experience
• Benefits: meal vouchers, eco-cheques, laptop, commuting reimbursement
• Long-term incentive: stock options
Relocation support can be provided.
Recruitment process
• 3-step process
• Interviews with the hiring manager and an academic advisor
• Target start date: February 2026
• Clear feedback at each stage
This role is not for you if
• You need guaranteed outcomes
• You are uncomfortable with experimental uncertainty
• You prefer large, highly structured corporate environments
• You are looking for a desk-only role with minimal lab work
Interested?
If this project resonates with you and you want to contribute to a technology still being written, apply now.
The process will close as soon as the right profile is identified.