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- Tasks: Validate GMP production facilities for medical cannabis, ensuring compliance with EU standards.
- Company: Join the only Scottish medical cannabis pharmaceutical company with EU GMP certifications.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and a company pension.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of medical cannabis in the UK.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in validation within Pharmaceuticals or Medical Cannabis; strong GMP knowledge required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic startup environment with a hands-on approach.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Dumfries & Galloway, Langholm, Scotland DG13 (Hybrid: 3 days on-site, 2 days remote)
Please only apply if you have experience with GMP in a Pharmaceutical company.
Company Overview
Founded in 2019, with 12 employees, my client is the only Scottish & UK-based medical cannabis pharmaceutical company that holds both EU GMP certifications and licenses to cultivate medical cannabis domestically in the UK, whilst also holding the licences to import and distribute medical cannabis. Over the past four years, they’ve built a brand-new, EU GMP-certified medical cannabis production facility in Scotland — including a large-scale, high-tech greenhouse. With all infrastructure and approvals now in place, they’re preparing to launch their first in-house cultivated and manufactured medical cannabis medicines into the UK market. Since 2020, the business has taken a dual-track approach: building out its domestic cultivation and medical cannabis pharmaceutical production capabilities—including hiring a top-tier team, establishing R&D operations, implementing SOPs, and securing full Home Office and MHRA approvals—while simultaneously running an active medical cannabis importation and distribution operation. This hybrid model ensures they can provide UK patients access to both internationally sourced and soon, UK-grown medical cannabis medicines.
Job Summary
With an experienced and senior Quality team of three already in place — including both an RP and a QP— they are now looking for a dedicated Validation Specialist to help them validate their GMP production facility, to enable internal manufacturing and production of medical cannabis. This is a critical role for a Validation Specialist with strong experience working in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical environments. You will be responsible for planning, executing, and documenting validation activities for the company’s new medical cannabis production facility and cleanrooms. This includes facility, software, equipment, and process validation, all in compliance with EU GMP standards. You'll work alongside the existing Quality team (including a QP and RP) to ensure all new production areas are fully qualified & validated for medical cannabis manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct, develop, and execute validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) for cleanrooms, equipment, utilities, and systems.
- Ensure all validation activities are aligned with EU GMP and regulatory requirements.
- Draft and maintain Validation Master Plans, reports, and validation documentation.
- Conduct risk assessments to determine appropriate validation strategies.
- Support the commissioning and qualification of new production areas.
- Collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams.
- Provide training and guidance to operational teams on validation requirements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to qualification and validation processes.
- Capable of supporting general GMP and QMS activities.
- Help upskill the team.
- Review and define the supporting SOPs and procedures.
- Review and define FATs and SATs.
Qualifications & Experience
You must have proven experience in a validation-focused role in Pharmaceuticals / Medical Cannabis / Biotech in a GMP environment with at least 2 years’ experience. You must have strong knowledge of GMP and be confident when it comes to Validation. An analytical mindset with strong attention to detail, with a growth mindset. Effective communicator with excellent collaboration skills. Comfortable working in a small startup, where you must be extremely hands-on, and roll up your sleeves. We are looking for people who are happy to wear multiple hats. Bonus Points for experience with QA activities and managing a QMS system. Bonus points for experience with GDP.
Compensation & Benefits
£35,000–£60,000 base depending on experience (Potential flexibility for Validation superstars). 1-day WFH. Company pension (All Legal UK Benefits). Free on-site parking. Be part of a pioneering UK company shaping the future of medical cannabis access.
How to Apply
If you are interested and would like more information then please apply through this site or email me at.
Contact Detail:
Lumino Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific EU GMP regulations and guidelines relevant to the medical cannabis industry. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and quality assurance.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the pharmaceutical and medical cannabis sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may provide insights or referrals that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous validation experiences in detail, particularly any projects involving cleanrooms or equipment validation. Be ready to explain how you approached challenges and ensured compliance with GMP standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your adaptability and willingness to take on multiple roles within a small team. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully collaborated across departments, as this is crucial for a startup environment like the one at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in GMP environments, particularly in the pharmaceutical or medical cannabis sectors. Use specific examples of validation activities you've conducted to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the medical cannabis industry and explain why you are a good fit for the Validation Specialist role. Mention your analytical mindset and attention to detail, as these are key attributes for the position.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Clearly outline your previous roles related to validation in pharmaceuticals or biotech. Include any specific projects where you planned, executed, or documented validation activities, especially those that align with EU GMP standards.
Showcase Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves working closely with various teams, emphasise your collaboration skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lumino
✨Showcase Your GMP Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented or adhered to GMP standards in previous roles, especially in pharmaceutical or medical cannabis environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Validation Expertise
Since the role focuses heavily on validation activities, be ready to explain your experience with validation protocols such as IQ/OQ/PQ. Discuss any relevant projects where you planned, executed, and documented validation activities, showcasing your analytical mindset and attention to detail.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This position requires close collaboration with various teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully worked with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams in the past. Highlight your effective communication skills and ability to provide training and guidance to operational teams.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, particularly in risk assessment and validation strategy development. Think of scenarios where you had to troubleshoot issues or improve processes, and be ready to discuss your thought process and outcomes.
