CDP is looking for a bright and curious scientist to join our Applied Science group where you will work on innovative technology and product solutions for our clients.

At CDP Applied Scientists integrate with multidisciplinary design and engineering teams to provide experience and subject matter knowledge key to innovative areas and technologies. You will bring critical thinking and a practical approach to some of the most novel challenges and contribute to evidence-based decision making.

Utilising CDP’s range of laboratory and workshop spaces and modelling and simulation tools, Applied Scientists combine a strong foundation from their scientific training with practical, hands-on skills to conceive, test and develop solutions to technical challenges.

No two projects are the same and you will need to combine your scientific background with creativity and commercial awareness in order deliver value to our clients. You will be based in our state-of-the-art innovation labs and offices in Cambridge with occasional travel to client sites.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop products for our external clients.
• Develop technical solutions for a range of products and processes.
• Communicate project progress through reports, in-person meetings, and video calls with external clients.
• Contribute to sales and marketing efforts, such as input to proposals or marketing collateral, or researching new technical areas.

Experience and education

• Essential:
  • An excellent academic record with a degree, master’s degree or PhD in the physical sciences.
  • Experience working in laboratories and with test and measurement equipment.
  • Experience with optics and optical systems: designing, building, testing.
• Desired:
  • Multidisciplinary experience in addition to a core Physical Sciences background (e.g., biophysics, biochemistry, multiphysics simulation).
  • Experience planning and executing research activities.

  Skills and Attributes

• Strong creative and technical abilities in a range of areas, for example optical systems, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, system modelling.
• Confident with theoretical and experimental assessment of concepts and prototypes – planning, execution, analysis and presentation.
• Proactive, with a desire to apply scientific methods and evidence-based decision making to generate novel concepts and realise products for our clients.
• Motivated to learn and grow, with the ambition to develop autonomy and leadership.
• Confidence to work in a fast-paced commercial environment, delivering to the highest quality.
• Willing to collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues, sharing ideas, contributing to a positive culture.

• Good presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills with a range of audiences.

Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) is an end-to-end innovation partner, propelling global brands and ambitious start-ups to success. We build breakthrough products and services – from insight to ideas, prototypes to production – bringing innovation to life. Our teams are multi-disciplinary, uniting scientific rigor, design ingenuity, and engineering excellence for consumer and healthcare clients. People-centred, deeply collaborative, and – above all – expert, we’re uniquely positioned to shape the future for consumers, patients, and industry. Even our ownership model is innovative: We’re 100% owned by our employees, ensuring an open culture and a total commitment to our projects’ success. As part of our benefits package, we offer:

• flexible working
• a discretionary bonus
• excellent learning and development opportunities
• a 12% non-contributory pension
• private healthcare
• electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme
• share incentive plan
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays