About Us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
About the role
The R&D Laboratory Research Engineer will be based in our R8 R&D and Innovation Centre in Redditch, providing material testing for strategic innovation projects and product lifecycles. You will take a role in designing, executing, and analysing experiments (and data) in-line with agreed deliverables. You will be able to perform analysis and troubleshooting, understanding issues quickly and implementing resolutions to enable developments in a timely manner.
This role will suit someone who can work on their own with a low level of guidance or daily input but can also work to detailed test protocols. The role will have a mixture of routine testing and analysis, but also the opportunity be a part of developing test methods supporting mainly the R&D team.
Key Responsibilities
* Take a proactive approach to Health, Safety & Well-Being by reporting any defects or unsafe acts to enable preventive measures to be put in place. Actively engage in Risk Assessment activities to enable safe working

* Demonstrate competence in the fundamental laboratory skills required to support development and research, including but not limited to laboratory practises & techniques, core instrumentation, and guided use of more advanced methodologies

* With moderate technical and procedural guidance, perform laboratory testing, analyse, and interpret data to reach sound technical conclusions, planning additional studies to solve any encountered problems to deliver key data to R&D managers and key stakeholders across the business

* Perform troubleshooting activities, such as root cause analysis, to understand deviations and implement corrective actions

* Enable active, positive, and effective collaboration within cross-functional project groups, and document their scientific work, which includes completing reports, presentations, batch records and other manuscripts or quality documents

* Ensure the testing laboratory and equipment are maintained to the correct standard and included in a routine inspection and calibration programme, across multiple sites in the business (including some European travel)

* Understand and maintain high levels of professionalism and confidentiality in respect of the commercial/technical sensitivity of the work being conducted. From time to time, it may be necessary to sign a personal Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA).

* Ensure test reports are filed/reported in the correct manner to a good standard of written English as well as ensure any relevant information regarding the tests is recorded and highlighted within the report.

About You
* Educated to at least a foundation degree in a Science, preferably Engineering, Physics or Chemistry (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

* Must be able to speak and write English to a professional standard

* Understanding of troubleshooting methods including root cause analysis and some statistical methods

* Demonstrated experience in conducting experiments, data analysis, conclusions and new product development / research and development

* Significant experience in working with common test methods within a pulp and paper/board lab as well as generating reports is preferred

* Competence in the suite of Microsoft Office applications is required

* Experience in laboratory information management system (LIMS) and contribution to quality management system(s) including writing standard operating procedures, method work instructions and risk assessments.

Location: Redditch (onsite), with occasional travel across UK and Europe
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
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