An R&D team working in plastics, polymers, and flexible packaging is hiring a Senior Lab Analyst (R&D) with locations in Dubai and Oman. This is a senior laboratory role for a scientist who understands how polymers and packaging materials behave, and who can take a development idea through careful testing to a result the business can trust. The role calls for a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, polymer engineering, plastics engineering, materials science, or a related field, with a master’s or PhD as an added advantage, and at least five years of R&D experience in plastics, polymers, or flexible packaging. Working as a senior lab analyst, you’ll bring that experience to the laboratory, supporting development work with rigorous testing, clear records, and practical advice on what the results mean for the product.
About the R&D Team — Plastics, Polymers & Flexible Packaging
Locations: Dubai and Oman
Sector: Plastics, polymers, and flexible packaging
Work: Laboratory research and development for packaging materials
Level: Senior analyst position within the R&D function
Recruitment: Applications sent to hiring@enrollmeuae.com
Senior Lab Analyst Role — Polymer Testing & Development Support
Department: Research & Development Laboratory
Primary Focus: Polymer and packaging material testing, development support, data quality
Scope: Plastics, polymers, and flexible packaging projects
Mission: Turning development ideas into reliable, tested packaging solutions
Senior R&D Lab Analyst Position Overview
The Senior R&D Lab Analyst role sits at the centre of product development in plastics, polymers, and flexible packaging. Development begins with an idea, whether that is a new film structure, a better barrier layer, or an improved material blend, and it moves forward only as far as the laboratory evidence allows. Your job is to make sure that evidence is sound. Laboratory work is central. You’ll plan and carry out testing on polymer and packaging materials, selecting methods that answer the development question clearly and reliably, and you’ll interpret results with the rigour that a senior analyst is expected to bring. Because flexible packaging has to meet practical performance needs, you’ll pay close attention to how materials behave in use and how small changes in formulation or processing affect the outcome. Records matter as much as the tests themselves. You’ll keep precise notes of trials, conditions, and results so that the team can repeat work, compare batches, and build on earlier findings without starting again. Communication is part of the role too. You’ll share findings with R&D colleagues and other teams in clear language, explaining what the data shows and what it suggests for the next step. Senior analysts also help others, so you’ll offer guidance on methods and data handling, and you’ll help keep the laboratory organised, well maintained, and safe. Across both the Dubai and Oman sites, the goal is the same: dependable development results that move products forward with confidence.
As Senior Lab Analyst (R&D), you’ll build deeper expertise in polymer behaviour, material testing, and the link between formulation, processing, and performance, while growing your leadership in laboratory development work. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, polymer engineering, plastics engineering, materials science, or a related discipline, and a master’s or PhD is a valued advantage. At least five years of R&D experience in plastics, polymers, or flexible packaging is required, ideally including hands-on laboratory testing and development trials. Strong analytical judgement, careful documentation, and clear communication are essential, as is the ability to work independently while supporting a wider team. For experienced polymer and packaging scientists in Dubai and Oman who want a senior laboratory role in materials development, this position offers meaningful technical work with real impact.
Why This Role Matters: As Senior Lab Analyst (R&D), you help turn packaging and polymer ideas into tested products, bring senior-level judgement to laboratory data, keep development records reliable for the whole team, guide colleagues on sound testing practice, and build a senior career in materials science and polymer R&D across the UAE and Oman.
Key Responsibilities & Laboratory Duties
Polymer & Packaging Material Testing
- Plan and carry out tests on polymer and packaging materials
- Select test methods that answer development questions clearly
- Run trials across formulation and processing variations
- Assess how materials perform in flexible packaging applications
- Evaluate barrier, strength, and sealing performance where relevant
- Compare results across batches and trial conditions
Data Interpretation & Analysis
- Interpret laboratory results with senior-level judgement
- Identify trends and anomalies in test data
- Link formulation and processing changes to performance outcomes
- Check data quality and consistency before reporting
- Flag unexpected results for investigation
- Recommend next steps based on the evidence
Development Support
- Support R&D projects from early concept through trials
- Help define test plans for new materials and structures
- Contribute to formulation and process improvement work
- Support scale-up trials and their evaluation
- Share lab-based insight with development teams
- Help keep projects moving toward defined milestones
Records, Documentation & Reporting
- Keep precise notes of trials, conditions, and results
- Maintain organised records that allow work to be repeated
- Prepare clear reports for R&D colleagues and other teams
- Explain findings in plain language for non-specialists
- Keep document versions and data sources controlled
- Support technical documentation for development projects
Laboratory Management & Safety
- Keep laboratory equipment in good working order
- Support calibration and equipment checks
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organised laboratory
- Follow laboratory safety practice at all times
- Manage materials and samples responsibly
- Report equipment or safety concerns promptly
Team Guidance & Collaboration
- Guide colleagues on testing methods and data handling
- Support training of junior laboratory staff
- Work across the Dubai and Oman R&D operations
- Collaborate with production and quality teams
- Contribute ideas to improve laboratory practice
- Share knowledge within the wider R&D team
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
- Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering or Plastics Engineering
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science or a related field
Advantageous Education
- Master’s degree in a relevant field
- PhD in a relevant field
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of R&D experience
- Experience in plastics, polymers, or flexible packaging industries
- Hands-on laboratory testing and development trial experience
Professional Skills
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
- Careful, organised documentation
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to work independently and support a wider team
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward R&D Manager or Principal Scientist roles
- Opportunity to lead development programmes
- Exposure to both Dubai and Oman operations
- Growth within a packaging and materials development business
Learning & Development
- Advanced polymer and packaging material testing experience
- Leadership in laboratory development and mentoring
- Experience in scale-up and trial evaluation
- Development of senior technical reporting skills
About the Team — Developing Better Packaging Materials
The R&D team works across plastics, polymers, and flexible packaging, developing and testing materials that protect products and perform reliably in use. Its laboratory operates across Dubai and Oman, combining rigorous testing with clear records and close collaboration between development, production, and quality colleagues.
Career Excellence in Polymer R&D: Join a packaging materials team in Dubai or Oman, test and interpret polymer and packaging results, support development from concept to scale-up, guide colleagues on sound laboratory practice, and build a senior career in materials science and R&D.
Interested candidates can share their updated cv to hiring@enrollmeuae.com / Senior Analyst(R&D)
Who Should Apply?
- Polymer Chemists: With packaging or plastics experience
- Plastics Engineers: Moving into laboratory R&D
- Materials Scientists: Interested in flexible packaging
- Senior Lab Analysts: Seeking an R&D development role
- PhD and Master’s Holders: Ready for senior laboratory work
- Engineers in Dubai and Oman: Looking for senior R&D roles
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