Laboratory Scientist apprentice (MCT) - Pfizer

If science is your passion, Pfizer is looking to recruit a Laboratory Scientist apprentice to work within the Materials Characterisation Team (MCT). You will help the team with troubleshooting investigations and new material supplier assessments using advanced analytics.

Qualification Requirements

• 5 GCSEs at grades C/4 or above (or equivalent) including mathematics and English.
• Will have, or are predicted, A-Levels equalling 104 UCAS points, including Chemistry or Biology at grade C or above plus an additional Science or Mathematics. Equivalent Level 3 qualifications (e.g., BTEC) will also be considered (with a minimum requirement of 104 UCAS points).

Salary - £20,500 per annum

Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%

Flexible Working Hours

Casual Dress

Discount Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Onsite Canteen

Onsite Parking

Employee Recognition/Awards

Location - Discovery Park House, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ

Working Hours Monday to Thursday, 9am – 5.25pm. Fridays, 9am – 4.05pm 12pm - 12.45pm lunch break

Duration - 60 months

Start Date - 1st September 2026

Interview Date - The Assessment Centre for this position will be on the week commencing March 9th 2026

Closing Date for Applications - 16th February 2026

To Apply To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on recruitment@cogentskills.com for assistance.

Next Steps Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email. The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager.

Job Description Laboratory Scientist in the Materials Characterisation Team (MCT), part of Global Technology, Engineering and Launch Division. Join a team that’s solving real-world challenges in medicines. The Materials Characterisation Team supports Pfizer’s global manufacturing sites and external partners by investigating and resolving quality issues, developing new analytical methods and evaluating new materials, all using state-of-the-art analytical technologies. The team provides material sciences expertise to our manufacturing network to help solve complex manufacturing challenges ensuring that patients have continued access to our medicines. The team comprises of experienced scientists from multiple disciplines working on many different types of materials, including active ingredients, excipients, process intermediates, finished dosage forms and packaging materials.

What you can expect from a Pfizer science apprenticeship:

• Real Impact: Your work will help to ensure patients have access to critical medicines.
• State-of-the-art Technology: Work in high-spec labs with the latest advanced analytics.
• Mentorship & Growth: Learn from experienced scientists and develop with structured training.
• Creative Science: Use experimentation and critical thinking to solve problems.
• Career-Ready Skills: Build communication, planning, and innovation skills.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a company that’s improving lives globally.
• Inclusive Culture: Work in a diverse, collaborative, and supportive environment.
• Future-Focused: Get the tools and mindset to thrive in a science career.

Candidate Requirements

Skills

• Have an interest in science, especially chemistry and mathematics.
• Passion for solving problems and ability to apply scientific knowledge to them.
• Rational, innovative and creative approach to problem solving.
• Passion to continue learning and improving themselves.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within teams as well as independently.
• Good report writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to apply learning from prior experience to new situations and problems.
• Ability to evaluate information from a broad range of sources.
• Communicates with clarity, purpose and efficiently.

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiastic attitude and approach to teamwork with positive influencing and listening skills.
• High energy level; hard working; makes things happen.
• Demonstrates sound judgement when making decisions.
• Self-driven and able to set personal goals which are realistic and challenging.
• Agile, flexible and resilient.
• Have an interest and a desire to work and develop as an analytical scientist.
• Desire to work in a laboratory environment.

Training To Be Delivered

• Qualification to be delivered: BSc Chemical Sciences.
• Training Provider: University of Kent.
• Delivery model: The training for this apprenticeship will be delivered online.

Future Prospects Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business.

Things To Be Considered The apprentice must be able to demonstrate the required attitudes, behaviours and interpersonal skills associated with the professional workplace. The apprentice must be willing to commit an amount of personal time to study. Please ensure you check out travel options to be able to commute to the workplace.

About Pfizer You’re the future. Your ambition, talents, ideas and unique way of looking at the world will help us drive innovation in every part of our business. At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. We need people with a hugely diverse range of talents. Love Science? Want to work on the business side? Get stuck into an apprenticeship to launch your career. Pfizer’s apprenticeship scheme, run in partnership with Cogent Skills, offers the best of both worlds. You’ll work with world-leaders in your field, from researchers to business gurus. You’ll study towards a nationally recognised academic or professional qualification. And all the time, you’ll be earning a highly competitive salary. Looking for an alternative to college or university, where you can earn while you learn, and build experience with a global leader? Find it at Pfizer.