Data Scientist

Job Title:Data Scientist

Reporting to:Chief Technology Officer

Kelpi is a world-leading sustainable materials innovation company, using seaweed and natural plant-based oils to create a unique coating material that provides the sort of barrier to moisture that could previously only be achieved by fossil fuel plastics. This renewably sourced coating is then applied to paper and card to create recyclable packaging which is bio-degradable. Even if it ends up at sea, Kelpi-coated paper and card will break down naturally, leaving no toxins nor microplastics behind.

Kelpi is looking for a Data Scientist to join our rapidly growing team comprising world-class scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Please note, we are also open to considering part-time candidates for this position!

What we are looking for 

We are looking for a self-motivated, creative team player who is passionate about sustainability and wants to make a positive impact in the world. Each member of our team helps shape the growth and culture of Kelpi, so we hope that you will take an active role in how we develop our strategy, our products, and how we work together. 

You’ll be our first Data Scientist at Kelpi, and so you will have a lot of autonomy in leading this new area of the business – holding a key position at the heart of our purpose-driven business. You therefore should be organised, have a strong work ethic, and show an innovative and methodical approach to problem solving. 

You should have:

• Background in Machine Learning, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field (MSc or PhD ideal, but open to strong BSc candidates)
• Hands-on experience with Bayesian optimization, ideally in noisy or low-data regimes
• Familiarity with probabilistic modelling and the underlying mathematical/ statistical principles.
• Demonstrable experience with machine learning frameworks such as JAX, TensorFlow, or PyTorch, particularly for model development and optimization tasks.
• Proficiency in data wrangling, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques.
• Curiosity, autonomy, and ability to work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary startup environment
• Bonus: Experience with materials informatics, chemistry, or sustainability-focused projects
• Excellent communication skills (and we will empower you to have the confidence to argue your case!)
• The collaboration skills to work with mixed projects teams in a fast-paced environment 
• Eagerness to learn and contribute within a dynamic and agile team setting, bringing new ideas to life.

Your role

As a Data Scientist, you’ll work at the intersection of materials science and AI, designing and implementing data-driven methods to optimise formulations and performance of sustainable materials. You'll own the data science function, collaborating closely with our R&D and product teams to accelerate experimentation and discovery. Your work will contribute directly to our mission of advancing sustainable solutions for coatings and packaging.

Tasks involve:

• Lead the development and integration of optimisation models to guide formulation and material design experiments
• Build data pipelines and analytical models to extract insights from lab data and improve the speed and quality of performance optimisation.
• Work with materials scientists to design efficient experimental plans (active learning, DoE)
• Build and manage our internal data science workflows and tooling
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Stay current with relevant literature and tools in optimisation and materials informatics
• Contributing to brainstorming sessions and team discussions by sharing insights and observations.

What we offer

• In addition to a competitive compensation package and growth opportunities within a startup environment, the Data Scientist will participate in our Employee Share Ownership Programme. 
• We offer additional benefits, such as a health cashback scheme, cycle scheme, and enhanced family-related leave and pay.
• You will have access to a generous budget for personal and professional development. 
• A work life balance is important to us - we offer 25 days annual leave (in addition to the 8 bank holidays), additional ‘Kelpi’ days, charity days and social events.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that is addressing the world’s biggest sustainability challenges.

Where you will be based

This is a position based at our modern lab and office space in central Bristol. We are open to considering full-time and part-time candidates.

We are dedicated to providing an equal, supportive and inclusive culture and embrace a diverse range of talent to contribute to that. Therefore, we welcome all applications - regardless of gender (including gender reassignment), sex or sexual orientation, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion/belief, disability or age.

If you have a medical condition or an individual need for an adjustment to our process, and you believe this may affect your ability to be at your best - please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that may be needed. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use.