Mooncup began with a clear goal: to give people a healthier, sustainable way to manage their periods - no petroleum plastic, no irritants, no compromises. We launched the world’s first medical grade silicone menstrual cup, pioneering a movement in period care that put health and the planet first.

We saw an industry where profit often came before people, where ingredients were hidden, and where plastics reigned. So, we made it our mission to challenge these norms and push for better.

Our vision is to be the world’s biggest absorbent hygiene brand. Not only have we just launched Mooncup period pads into Sainsbury’s, Boots, Holland & Barrett and Look Fantastic, but we’re also partnered with a growing range of workplaces, gyms and hotels (such as Canva, Danone, Gymshark, Claridges) to give their employees, guests and members free access to period products in their bathrooms. 

We’re still leading the change in period care, using only science-backed ingredients that are actually good for your vagina. Because at Mooncup, we believe your period products should work with your body - not against it.

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Process / Chemical Engineer to join the founding team of our venture-backed deep-tech startup, developing a novel, patent-pending biobased superabsorbent polymer. As a core technical hire, you will play a pivotal role in translating laboratory polymer R&D into scalable, robust industrial processes, supporting pilot plant operations, and defining manufacturing strategies. The ideal candidate has proven expertise in process design, scale-up, and chemical engineering principles, and thrives in a dynamic, practical environment where innovation meets industrial application. You will help turn cutting-edge polymer technology into manufacturable products, making a tangible impact in a fast-paced, early-stage startup.

Lab Setup & Commissioning

• Design, optimise, and implement polymerisation and functionalisation processes from lab to pilot scale.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to translate polymer formulations into reproducible and safe production processes.
• Identify and mitigate risks in scale-up, including, material handling and process stability.
• Experience developing polymer blends, composites, or hydrogels, and tuning mechanical or functional properties for application.
• Performing application-relevant performance tests (absorbency under load, retention, gel strength, viscosity, biodegradation).

R&D Execution

• Evaluate manufacturing processes with emphasis on sustainability, cost reduction and improved consistency.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, new technologies or alternative processing routes that enhance product performance.
• Provide technical guidance to Research, Development, Manufacturing, and Commercial team.
• Lead and manage manufacturing and scale up projects from concept through validation to sustained production.
• Define project scope, technical requirements, timelines and risks across TRL 2 to 6.
• Ensure projects meet agreed performance targets, budgets and delivery milestones.
• Drive the industrialisation of superadsorbent biobased polymer and material enhancements with external production partners.
• Take ownership of initial laboratory data analysis and present findings to the Technical Lead to inform research direction and timelines.

Data, Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain high-quality lab records, including detailed notebooks, technical data logs, and experiment tracking.
• Contribute to technical reporting for IP filings, investor updates, and grant applications.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with health and safety regulations (COSHH, risk assessments, waste disposal protocols).

Collaboration & Team Support

• Work collaboratively with the Technical Lead to support and execute research activities.
• Participate in lab meetings, troubleshooting sessions, and cross-functional discussions around R&D milestones, technology validation and scale-up planning.

• MSc in Chemical Engineering, Process, Chemical or Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on laboratory research experience, ideally involving polymer synthesis, natural polymer processability and materials characterisation.
• Practical experience with common analytical and processing equipment (e.g., mixers, ovens, FTIR, DSC, swelling measurement setups).
• Strong technical background in manufacturing, polymer processing, material science or a similar field. 
• Experience delivering multi-disciplinary projects in a TRL-driven environment. Proven track record working with external manufacturing or tolling partners and have a strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to translate technical challenges into actionable plans.
• Proactive, reliable, and eager to contribute to a fast-paced early-stage startup environment.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of lab processes while collaborating as part of a small technical team.

You’ll be joining a mission-led company at the forefront of sustainable materials innovation. Your work will directly support the development of a biobased polymer with real-world applications in hygiene, agriculture, and packaging. This is a rare chance to shape the technical foundations of a new lab, gain exposure to scale-up processes, and make meaningful contributions to bio-material research.

Perks

• A job with real purpose, with a passionate team and high-performance culture.
• 25 days holiday (excl. Bank holidays).
• Company Pension scheme.
• State of the art lab and facilities at Imperial.
• Flexible hours so you can start earlier or finish later to fit around your life.

• Fill out application form via the below button.
• Once you have completed your application, we will conduct an initial screening.
• First interview with the Technical Lead.
• Technical task on Lab experience and polymer chemistry synthesis knowledge with a small section on project management.
• Second interview with the selected candidates with the technical lead and CEO.

&SISTERS Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Mooncup began with a clear goal: to give people a healthier, sustainable way to manage their periods - no petroleum plastic, no irritants, no compromises. We launched the world’s first medical grade silicone menstrual cup, pioneering a movement in period care that put health and the planet first.

We saw an industry where profit often came before people, where ingredients were hidden, and where plastics reigned. So, we made it our mission to challenge these norms and push for better.

Our vision is to be the world’s biggest absorbent hygiene brand. Not only have we just launched Mooncup period pads into Sainsbury’s, Boots, Holland & Barrett and Look Fantastic, but we’re also partnered with a growing range of workplaces, gyms and hotels (such as Canva, Danone, Gymshark, Claridges) to give their employees, guests and members free access to period products in their bathrooms. 

We’re still leading the change in period care, using only science-backed ingredients that are actually good for your vagina. Because at Mooncup, we believe your period products should work with your body - not against it.

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Polymer Chemist to join the founding team of our venture-backed deep-tech startup, developing a novel, patent-pending biobased superabsorbent polymer. As a core technical hire, you will play a pivotal role in setting up and commissioning our laboratory and driving polymer R&D from concept to pilot scale. The ideal candidate has proven expertise in polymer synthesis and modification, particularly with natural polymers, and thrives in a practical lab environment. You will define experimental strategies, execute research, and help translate cutting-edge technology into real-world applications, making a tangible impact in a fast-paced, early-stage startup.

R&D Execution

• Strong knowledge on analytical techniques such as FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, GPC rheology surface analysis and swelling index testing, and gel strength evaluation to characterise polymers physical chemical properties and performances.
• Develop and characterise biobased polymers with attention to sustainability, biodegradability, and environmental impact.
• Assist in experimental design, method development, and formulation optimisation. 
• Design and optimise polymerisation reactions and functionalisation strategies to achieve target molecular weights, crosslink densities, and performance properties.
• Experience developing polymer blends, composites, or hydrogels, and tuning mechanical or functional properties for application.
• Performing application-relevant performance tests (absorbency under load, retention, gel strength, viscosity, biodegradation).
• Analyse data and present insights to the Technical Lead to guide research priorities and timelines.

Data, Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain meticulous laboratory records, including notebooks, technical data logs, and experiment tracking.
• Support technical reporting for IP filings, investor updates, and grant applications.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with health and safety regulations (COSHH, risk assessments, waste disposal protocols).
  

Collaboration & Team Support

• Work collaboratively with the Technical Lead to support and execute research activities.
• Participate in lab meetings, troubleshooting sessions, and cross-functional discussions around R&D milestones, technology validation and scale-up planning.

• MSc or PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and modification, ideally involving natural polymers. 
• Practical experience with analytical techniques such as NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, swelling measurements, and gel strength evaluation.
• Strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail in data management and experimental documentation.
• Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently while contributing effectively to a small, collaborative team.
• Enthusiasm for working in an early-stage startup and building lab capabilities from the ground up.
• Troubleshoot analytical instrumentation and develop new methods to characterise polymer properties.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of lab processes while collaborating as part of a small technical team.
• Adapt to evolving project priorities and contribute to multiple facets of lab operations as the startup grows.

You’ll be joining a mission-led company at the forefront of sustainable materials innovation. Your work will directly support the development of a biobased polymer with real-world applications in hygiene, agriculture, and packaging. This is a rare chance to shape the technical foundations of a new lab, gain exposure to scale-up processes, and make meaningful contributions to bio-material research.

Perks

• A job with real purpose, with a passionate team and high-performance culture.
• 25 days holiday (excl. Bank holidays)
• Company Pension scheme
• State of the art lab and facilities at Imperial
• Flexible hours so you can start earlier or finish later to fit around your life.

• Apply below.
• Once you have completed your application, we will conduct an initial screening.
• First interview with the Technical Lead.
• Technical task on Lab experience and polymer chemistry synthesis knowledge with a small section on project management.
• Second interview with the selected candidates with the technical lead and CEO.

&SISTERS Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.