At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to conduct hands-on research in physical organic chemistry and analytical services.
- Company: Key Organics Limited, a reputable Cornwall-based specialty contract chemistry company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a stable, long-established company.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in diverse chemistry projects while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry with 5+ years of relevant experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Key Organics Limited is a long-established, Cornwall-based specialty contract chemistry company with over 40 years of continuous operation. We are seeking an experienced Physical Organic Chemist to join our technical team in Camelford. This is a broad, hands-on role that combines synthetic and analytical chemistry within a quality-assured environment. The successful candidate will contribute to contract chemistry projects, analytical services (with a focus on ICP-OES/MS), and research and development activities across our portfolio, which increasingly includes critical minerals extraction and materials chemistry. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated chemist who enjoys variety, values scientific rigour, and wants to work in an environment where their contributions have direct commercial impact.
Synthetic & Analytical Chemistry Expertise
- Conduct and interpret ICP-OES analyses for elemental characterisation, method development, and critical minerals programmes.
- Perform physical organic chemistry studies including kinetic, thermodynamic, and mechanistic investigations.
- Support method development and validation in accordance with ISO 9001 quality frameworks.
- Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation including ICP-OES, NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, and UV-Vis where appropriate.
- Undertake synthetic organic chemistry projects where relevant.
Essential Requirements
- Degree (BSc or MChem) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline; a higher degree (MSc or PhD) in physical organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, or a related field is strongly preferred.
- A minimum of five years' post-qualification experience in a chemical-research, analytical, or contract chemistry environment.
- Demonstrable hands-on experience operating ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS instrumentation, including sample preparation, calibration, and data interpretation.
- Proven experience working within an ISO 9001-accredited or GLP-compliant quality environment, with a thorough understanding of the associated documentation requirements.
- Sound understanding of physical organic chemistry principles, including reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and structure-activity relationships.
- Competence in standard characterisation techniques including NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, and mass spectrometry.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to produce clear, concise technical reports and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong organisational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Generous holiday entitlement.
- Pension scheme.
- A stimulating, collaborative technical environment with exposure to genuinely diverse chemistry, from fine chemical synthesis to critical minerals analytical programmes.
- A stable, long-established company with a strong reputation, undergoing an exciting period of growth and diversification.
Interested candidates should submit a covering letter and current CV to: personnel@keyorganics.net
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Locations
Physical-Organic Chemist in Devon, Plymouth employer: Key Organics
Key Organics Limited is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque town of Camelford, Cornwall, offering a stimulating and collaborative work environment for Physical Organic Chemists. With over 40 years of industry experience, we provide our employees with generous holiday entitlements, a competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth within a stable company that values scientific rigour and innovation in contract chemistry projects. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a diverse range of chemistry applications while enjoying the benefits of working in a supportive and quality-assured setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physical-Organic Chemist in Devon, Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the chemistry field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving ICP-OES and other analytical techniques. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Ace the interview! Research Key Organics Limited thoroughly and come prepared with questions that show your interest in their work, especially in critical minerals extraction. Tailor your answers to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Key Organics. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Physical-Organic Chemist in Devon, Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Physical-Organic Chemist role. Highlight your relevant experience in synthetic and analytical chemistry, and don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with ICP-OES and other instrumentation. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Showcase Your Skills:In your CV, clearly outline your qualifications and experience, especially your degree and any post-qualification work. Emphasise your expertise in physical organic chemistry principles and your familiarity with ISO 9001 quality frameworks. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read, so make sure your technical reports and findings are presented clearly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Key Organics!
How to prepare for a job interview at Key Organics
✨Know Your Chemistry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of physical organic chemistry principles, especially reaction mechanisms and kinetics. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with ICP-OES and other analytical techniques, as this will show your technical expertise.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed multiple projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail, as these are crucial for the role. Think of specific instances where you successfully juggled tasks while maintaining quality standards.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. You might need to present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a past project to demonstrate your communication skills.
✨Understand the Company’s Values and Goals
Research Key Organics Limited and their focus on critical minerals extraction and materials chemistry. Show enthusiasm for their projects and align your answers to reflect their values, particularly around scientific rigour and commercial impact. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits their culture.
