MSc Chemistry + 3 years industry experience in Sweden— is it realistic to find a job in the UK?
I’ve been living and working in Stockholm for several years. I worked for a startup, mainly with cellulose-based materials and polymers. Unfortunately, I was laid off due to redundancy/reorganisation. It’s now been around a year since I started seriously looking for my next job, but even before that I was actively searching a job, so it total it is more than 2 years!
I have an MSc in Chemistry and around 3 years of industrial experience. I’ve also had a lot of hands-on laboratory experience — basically almost everything from setting up and organising a lab, equipment selection and purchasing, calibration and maintenance, to material characterisation, chemical processing, formulation and production-related work.
After a while, I started feeling that being educated outside Sweden, not speaking perfect Swedish, and the current situation in the Swedish job market (recession and corruption) were making things considerably harder for me. My Swedish friends are struggling in finding a job though.
Because of this, my husband and I are seriously considering moving to the UK. His CV is stronger for the UK market and he already has some professional connections there, so we’re not too worried about him finding a job. My concern is me :(
I’m a very career-oriented person, and honestly, being unemployed for another year or two would be extremely difficult for me. I don’t want to spend several more years just applying for jobs and waiting.
So I’d really appreciate some honest advice from people in the UK.
With an MSc in Chemistry, around 3 years of industrial experience, and a background in cellulose-based materials, polymers, laboratory work and materials characterisation, is it realistic to find a suitable job in the UK right now?
I’m mainly interested in materials development, process development, polymers, coatings, paper/cellulose, specialty chemicals, industrial R&D or similar roles.
And if it is realistic, how would you approach the UK job market in my situation? Are there particular industries, regions, companies or recruitment agencies I should focus on?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I’d really appreciate practical advice from people who have actually been through something similar.