2026 Graduate - Applied Scientist (Bio Chemistry) - Cambridge

Power Your Curiosity at PA

Why consider joining as a Graduate in Applied Sciences?

• As an Applied Scientist Graduate at PA, you\'ll be able to apply what you have learned to real world challenges – this could be any part of your degree or science you have never seen before.
• Our Applied Science team is made up of biologists, chemists, physicists, materials scientists, food scientists and chemical engineers who are constantly learning about their craft and broadening their knowledge, working alongside colleagues who all have a passion for using what they know, every day.
• Joining us as a graduate is a big step. If you want to make use of the specialist skills your degree has given you, we want you to be bold, stay curious and dive into the opportunities we have to offer.

Are you curious about how things work \"around, and beyond, the core biology\"?

As an Applied Bio-Scientist at PA you will make vital contributions to developing new technologies in areas like cell and gene therapy (CGT), diagnostics, drug delivery, and biomaterials development.

• Projects at PA are multidisciplinary – our bio-scientists have a strong grasp of biology and are also passionate about the interplay between biology and other scientific and engineering disciplines in real-world systems (from life-saving therapy manufacturing instruments to more sustainable products inspired by the natural world).
• We ensure that systems we build harness the full potential of biology – often, our customers have deep expertise in their biological processes and are looking to PA to make their product vision a reality. Our bio-scientists understand, challenge, and optimise biological processes and “translate” the biology to other technical disciplines so that our projects maximise the performance of the core biology.
• Working at the intersection of biology and real-world applications can be fun, incredibly rewarding, and can give a curious mind huge opportunity to learn new skills.

What you can expect

• Making Science Real – we help our clients understand, contextualise and mature science from a blank sheet of paper to real life products and capabilities.
• Enabling sustainability – we develop novel materials, often bio-based, as replacements for single-use plastics and support the world\'s largest corporates in achieving their sustainability ambitions.
• Creating new medical devices and life-saving therapies – we develop new medical devices and manufacturing processes that help save lives.
• Making disruptive and impactful new technologies a reality – we develop next-generation laboratory instruments that provide Life Science researchers with the tools they need to make breakthroughs in medical research.

Assessment process

• First Stage Assessments: Application form, Online Assessments, Shortlisting / Technical assessments.
• Final Stage Assessments: Assessment Centre with Technical assessments, Final Stage Interviews.

The Offer

• A real chance to use any and all areas of your bio-science degree to solve real-world problems.
• A unique role striding a huge breadth of technologies and sectors.
• We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be at our Global Innovation & Technology Centre, Melbourn, Cambridge.
• Salary potential: £31,000.
• This role will start in Autumn 2026.

Qualifications

• Completed or studying towards an undergraduate degree in a biological science (including but not limited to Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Natural Sciences with a Biological emphasis).
• Growth‑oriented and curious – open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world, new technologies, and new markets.
• Collaborative and relationship‑focused – thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
• Credible and communicative – comfortable in high‑performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and able to explain complex ideas to both experts and non‑experts.
• Analytical and adaptable – demonstrate strong problem‑solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to apply your skills to new technical areas and work as part of a multidisciplinary group. Comfortable working in both a hands‑on lab setting and performing desk‑based research.
• Professional and reliable – show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.
• Practical and proactive – passionate about applying knowledge in real‑world contexts, not just relying on rote learning, and take a proactive approach to getting things done.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from under‑represented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations

Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on earlycareers@paconsulting.com.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. If you\'re unsure about your eligibility for UK security clearance, we encourage you to review the UK Government\'s guidance on security vetting before applying.