R&D Chemistry Student Placement

Arxada is a pioneering leader with a powerful legacy of over 120 years in creating specialty chemicals and solutions that enhance the performance of our customers and their products. Our solutions, expertise, and support help customers perform better — becoming more efficient, more effective, and more sustainable.

We are passionate about empowering high performance and enabling our employees, partners, and customers to realize their full potential. Together, we create better science to solve the world’s toughest preservation challenges. If you enjoy making a difference, Arxada is the company for you.

R&D Chemistry Student Placement to support the EIMEA R&D Wood Protection research programme
, based at Arxada’s R&D hub in Manchester
. This 13-month fixed-term contract is part of our established annual industrial student placement programme and provides hands‑on insight into a career in research and development. This laboratory‑based role supports Arxada’s innovation pipeline through formulation development and evaluation of novel formulations.

• Contribute to the development and evaluation of novel formulations.
• Conduct application testing of novel and existing formulations, including wood treatment and the setup of efficacy studies.
• Support or lead protocol development activities to refine testing methodologies.
• Perform analytical testing (XRF, HPLC, LCMS) to support stability assessments for new innovation products within the Arxada range.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and management or administrative documentation related to the EIMEA R&D function.
• Maintain an up-to-date lab book, produce monthly work reports, and prepare summary write-ups of findings during the placement.
• Participate in team meetings and stakeholder presentations, presenting and discussing your own programme of work as required.
• Actively contribute to site and departmental safety activities.
• Gain exposure to industrial research and be introduced to various functions and roles within Arxada.

• Currently studying for a BSc or MSc in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Formulation Science.
• Strong A-level results in physical sciences, particularly chemistry.
• Knowledge of physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and formulation science.
• Ability to interpret data independently, draw conclusions, 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 in presenting work to a varied audience, 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.