ANALYTICAL VACANCY | CAMELFORD, CORNWALL
Analytical Chemist
Permanent – full time, 37.5 hours – site based
Key Organics is a leading provider of high-quality chemical products and contract chemistry services to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical industries. Founded in 1986 and now marking our 40th anniversary, we operate an ISO 9001:2015 certified site at Camelford in North Cornwall, combining our BIONET compound catalogue with custom synthesis, process development, scale-up manufacture and analytical services.
We are expanding our chemistry team to deliver process development, multi-kilo manufacture and critical minerals projects for our global customers, and analysis sits at the centre of all of it. We are looking for an experienced analyst to support our in-house chemistry teams and to run our external analytical services business. This is a permanent role with genuine scope to shape new capability rather than step into an existing rota.
The role
You will deliver a consistent, reliable and high-quality analytical service to our chemists and to our external customers, working within our ISO 9001 framework. It is a hands-on position across a genuinely varied portfolio — small molecules and building blocks, process development samples, scale-up batches and technology transfer programmes. You will work as part of an integrated team, often with our customers directly.
What you will be doing
• Providing analytical support to our synthetic, process and scale-up chemists, and managing our external analytical services business.
• Operating, troubleshooting and maintaining analytical instrumentation, including NMR, LC-MS, GC and HPLC.
• Developing, validating and documenting analytical methods under our quality management system.
• Interpreting and quality-checking analytical data, and issuing reports and certificates of analysis to customers.
• Contributing to developing our external analytics offerings to new and existing customers.
• Maintaining full analytical records, including delivery against project plans and budgets.
• Working at all times in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, our quality management system and company procedures.
What we are looking for:
Essential
• A good honours degree or MChem in chemistry or a closely related discipline; a higher degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred.
• A minimum of five years’ post-qualification experience in an analytical or contract chemistry environment with some management and training experience.
• Proven proficiency in NMR, LC-MS, GC and HPLC — operation, troubleshooting, maintenance and data interpretation.
• Demonstrable experience of working to ISO 9001 or GLP, with a thorough understanding of the associated documentation requirements.
• Demonstrable ability to work with minimal supervision and to manage several projects with competing priorities.
• Confidence communicating directly with clients — written reports, teleconferences and face-to-face updates.
• Collaborative, proactive and safety-conscious, with high attention to detail and sound organisational skills.
Desirable
• Experience of ICP-OES or ICP-MS, including sample preparation, calibration and data interpretation.
• Experience of IR, 3D NMR experiments and related structural elucidation techniques.
• Experience of preparative and chiral chromatography.
• Experience of method transfer and of supporting scale-up and manufacturing campaigns.
What we offer
A competitive salary, a 37.5 hour week on a flexitime system, pension, life assurance, group income protection, a cycle to work scheme and access to a mental health support programme. You would also be joining an owner-managed, independent business in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with the North Cornwall coast a few minutes away.
Right to work
Applicants must be currently authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
How to apply
Please email a covering letter and CV to personnel@keyorganics.net . Closing date: 25 th September 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Key Organics Limited is an equal opportunities employer and appoints on merit. All applications are treated in confidence.
Locations
Analytical Chemist in Camelford, Cornwall employer: Key Organics
Key Organics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions as an Analytical Chemist are both recognised and valued. With over 40 years of industry experience, we provide competitive salaries, a contributory pension scheme, and generous holiday entitlement, all within a supportive team that fosters professional growth and development. Join us in our exciting period of growth and be part of a diverse chemistry landscape that prioritises quality and innovation.
