Business Analyst – Sustainable Materials & Market Strategy

A&B Smart Materials is an Oxford University-based materials science venture founded by Oxbridge graduates. We are pioneering sustainable, biobased, and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to replace synthetic, petroleum-based SAPs-used in hygiene (e.g. diapers, menstrual pads, cosmetics) and agriculture-that are set to be banned in Europe by 2028 in soils.

SAPs are "magic-like" materials that absorb hundreds of times their weight in water, representing a $9B global market today, projected to reach $17.6B by 2035. A&B Smart Materials has already secured traction with global leaders.

Our mission is to disrupt this market through innovative chemistry, IP-driven technology, and a scalable licensing model that achieves both performance and price parity by 2028.

We are seeking a Business Analyst to join our growing team and support the CEO, Chief of Staff, and commercial leads in developing a deep understanding of the markets we serve. This role will focus on structured research, data analysis, and insight generation to inform strategic decisions across investor relations, go-to-market planning, and client engagement.

The Business Analyst will work across hygiene, agriculture, and adjacent markets (e.g. cosmetics, wound care, packaging) to map opportunities, benchmark competitors, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. This position is ideal for someone with strong analytical skills who wants to work in a dynamic startup environment at the intersection of sustainability, science, and business.

Key responsibilities include

• Market Analysis: Research and segment markets for SAP applications, analysing growth trends, regulatory drivers, pricing benchmarks, and adoption curves.
• Competitive Intelligence: Track and assess competitors' strategies, technology developments, and partnerships.
• Commercial Modelling: Assist in pricing analysis, demand forecasting, and business case development for new market entry.
• Investor & Partner Support: Prepare briefing documents, landscape overviews, and data packs for use in fundraising and partnership discussions.
• Desk Research & Reporting: Conduct primary and secondary research, synthesise findings, and prepare concise reports and presentations for the CEO and Chief of Staff.
• Cross-functional Support: Collaborate with technical and commercial teams to align market insights with product development and client needs.

This is a highly analytical role with significant exposure to the leadership team and potential progression into strategy, business development, or investment roles as the company scales.

Essential qualifications and skills

• Strong academic background in business, economics, management, engineering, or a related field.
• Excellent analytical and research skills, with the ability to structure problems and synthesise large amounts of information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, decks, and concise briefings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint (or equivalents such as Google Sheets/Slides).
• Curiosity and motivation to learn about sustainability, polymers, and deeptech startups.

Desirable

• Prior experience in consulting, market research, venture capital, or strategy roles.
• Knowledge of the hygiene, agriculture, or materials sectors.
• Experience with financial modelling or basic data analysis (e.g. Python, R, or BI tools).
• Familiarity with investor relations or fundraising processes.

Location: Oxford (Begbroke Science Park). Hybrid/remote flexibility possible.

Start date: ASAP.

Impact: You will create the digital engine that drives the next generation of sustainable polymers, ensuring our lab discoveries reach global markets faster and more efficiently.

Please note that while the EIT budget is currently exhausted, funding is still available under the EIC, ERC, MSCA, and RI pathways.