At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver custom synthesis and process development for global clients in a dynamic lab environment.
- Company: Key Organics, a leading provider of high-quality chemical products in beautiful North Cornwall.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, pension, mental health support, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Other info: Permanent roles with opportunities for growth and collaboration in an innovative company.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in the chemistry field while enjoying coastal life.
- Qualifications: Degree or PhD in chemistry with relevant industrial experience; strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
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 engaged in process development, multi-kilo manufacture and critical minerals projects for our global customers. To deliver them, we are expanding our chemistry team and are recruiting on both the graduate and PhD routes. These are permanent roles with genuine scope to shape new capability rather than step into an existing rota.
The roles
- Chemist / Senior Chemist – graduate route
A good honours degree or MSc in chemistry, with a minimum of five years’ hands-on experience in a laboratory-based manufacturing or industrial environment. You will run your own synthetic and process chemistry to time and budget, with the depth of practical experience to troubleshoot and to take from bench through scale-up. You will work as part of an integrated team, often with our customers directly. - Senior Chemist / Project Chemist – PhD route
A PhD in organic, process or inorganic chemistry, supported by post-doctoral or, preferably, industrial experience. Alongside hands-on chemistry you will provide route design and scientific input into new programmes, present data to clients and funders, and supervise and develop less experienced chemists.
Applicants with process development, scale-up or manufacturing experience will be at an advantage for both routes. We are equally interested in candidates with hydrometallurgical, extraction or inorganic process experience for our critical minerals programmes.
What you will be doing
- Delivering custom synthesis, contract research and process development projects for international clients.
- Developing and optimising scalable processes, taking chemistry from bench through to multi-kilo manufacture in our scale-up facility.
- Designing routes, interpreting analytical data and driving projects to a defined technical and commercial outcome.
- Contributing to our critical minerals and new product development programmes.
- Maintaining full experimental records, including cost analysis and 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
- Degree or PhD in chemistry, with relevant industrial experience set out above.
- Sound practical knowledge of interpreting HPLC, GC, MS and NMR data.
- 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 sound use of literature searching and reporting software (for example Reaxys and electronic lab notebooks).
Desirable
- Experience of crystallisation studies and interpretation of DSC data.
- Experience of working to high quality systems, ICH Q7 guidelines or within a GMP plant.
- Experience of leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange or ICP-OES analysis.
- Experience of training and supervising junior chemists.
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, stating which route you are applying for, to . Closing date: 01/09/26. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we reserve the right to close the vacancies early.
Key Organics Limited is an equal opportunities employer and appoints on merit. All applications are treated in confidence.
Experienced Chemists – Graduate and PhD in Camelford 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.
