Formulation Scientist jobs

Location: Stevenage, UK
Employment Type: Full-time

About Us:

Axitan is a leading innovator in animal feed additives, committed to delivering high-quality, research-driven products. Operating across the UK (Axitan Research UK Ltd) and the US (Axitan Inc), we are building a portfolio of precision biological solutions that improve animal health outcomes while reducing reliance on traditional antimicrobials.

Job Description:

We are seeking an Feed Additive Formulation Scientist/Application Scientist to design, optimize, and validate final product formulations for feed additive applications. This role bridges research and commercial implementation, ensuring that formulations meet performance, regulatory, and customer requirements across various animal production systems. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional, transnational teams to ensure successful product development from concept to commercialization. You will collaborate closely with our enzyme discovery scientists, manufacturing partners, and commercial team to ensure that products are not only biologically effective but physically robust, stable in feed matrices, and scalable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop final formulations of feed additive products for targeted applications (e.g., poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture).
• Translate R&D concepts into scalable, market-ready solutions.
• Evaluate ingredient compatibility, stability, and efficacy within complete feed systems.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials to optimize product performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, regulatory, quality, and commercial teams.

· Characterise the physical properties of formulated products (particle size distribution, morphology, moisture content, thermal stability, mechanical strength, shelf life).

· Contribute to intellectual property development by documenting novel formulation approaches and supporting patent filings where appropriate.

• Support product registration by generating technical documentation and formulation data.

Person Specifications:

Essential

Degree in a relevant discipline: Biochemistry, Chemical engineering, Chemistry, Food sciences or a closely related field. Master’s or PhD level preferred but not required if experience is strong.

2–5 years of hands-on formulation experience in an industrial or applied R&D setting (biotech, pharma, agri-tech, food technology, or similar).

Demonstrable practical experience with encapsulation, spray drying, extrusion, prilling, etc

Understanding of physical characterisation techniques (particle sizing, flowability, activity stability).

Experience developing processes with scale-up in mind — you think about equipment, throughput, and reproducibility, not just bench results.

Excellent documentation and communication skills; ability to write clear SOPs, technical reports, and batch records.

Desirable

Experience working with biological molecules (enzymes, proteins, probiotics) and understanding of how formulation impacts bioactivity and stability.

Experience in measuring enzymatic activity and/or the antimicrobial activity of compounds

Familiarity with animal feed manufacturing processes (pelleting, extrusion, coating) and the physical demands these place on additives.

Experience in hydrogel product formulations

Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks for feed additives (EU and/or US).

Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies for formulation optimisation.

What We Offer:

The opportunity to shape product development at a growing biotech company with a clear commercial pipeline.

A hands-on, high-autonomy role where your work directly translates into products reaching the market.

Collaborative, scientifically rigorous culture working across UK and US teams.

Competitive salary (£50,000-£55,000) and benefits package commensurate with experience.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience and what excites you about this role. Applications without cover letter will not be considered. Applicants will be selected for an initial video-call interview on a rolling basis. Note: This position is only open to UK citizens or citizens possessing the requisite legal permissions for long term stay and work in the UK.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Stevenage: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• has you uploaded a cover letter together with your CV?
• Do you have experience in formulation in an industrial or applied R&D setting (biotech, pharma, agri-tech, food tecnology, or similar)?

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• formulation: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person