At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct materials characterisation and support drug development using advanced analytical techniques.
- Company: Join Pharmaron, a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development.
- Benefits: Dynamic work environment, career growth opportunities, and supportive team culture.
- Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of medicine through innovative scientific challenges.
- Qualifications: MSc in Chemistry or related field; experience in materials characterisation preferred.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.
We’re proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to biologics and gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers.
Is this you? Does a new XRPD pattern get you excited? Do you enjoy unravelling a polymorph landscape and helping a client land on the right salt and solid form? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
As a Materials Characterisation Scientist, you’ll have the chance to put your knowledge of a wide range of analytical techniques to work. You’ll support the development and characterisation of Starting Materials, Intermediates, APIs and formulations, working closely with our Process Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Product Development and Analytical Chemistry colleagues.
You’ll bring a background in Materials Characterisation and Analytical Chemistry, with expertise in XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD. Knowledge of crystallisation development, process analytical technology, chemical engineering, milling, polymorphism and crystallography, along with other analytical methodologies used to characterise APIs, would be a definite advantage.
What’s in it for you at Pharmaron
- A vibrant, dynamic place to work: we’re a highly specialised, growing company in a critical sector of the economy. Our future is strong and exciting, and you can be part of it.
- Room to grow: our rapid growth means more opportunities for you to learn, develop and progress faster.
- A team that has your back: we support each other and enjoy what we do.
What you’ll bring
- An MSc in Chemistry or a related subject with experience in Materials Characterisation, ideally in a Pharmaceutical Development role, or a BSc in Chemistry with at least 2 years’ relevant industrial experience in Materials Characterisation.
- Significant expertise in developing and troubleshooting materials characterisation methods, including XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD.
- In-depth, hands-on and up-to-date knowledge of other analytical methodologies.
- Knowledge of data analytics and data visualisation tools.
- Knowledge of crystallisation methodologies relevant to drug substances (desirable).
- A strong scientific track record you’re proud of.
Bonus points if you also have
- Experience with modelling and simulation tools.
- Proficiency in computational software such as Gaussian, Materials Studio or ORCA.
- Experience with force field methods (COMPASS, MMFF94).
- Experience with COSMO-RS.
- Experience with electrostatic potential mapping and analysis.
- Experience with energy minimisation and conformational analysis.
- Experience with Hirshfeld surface analysis and lattice energy calculations.
- Experience with a coding language.
What you’ll be doing
- Helping clients define their final salt and polymorphic form through a full materials characterisation assessment.
- Running salt and polymorph screens using state-of-the-art High Throughput Experimentation.
- Mapping the polymorph landscape for final APIs and identifying the thermodynamically stable form.
- Supporting Process Chemistry in defining crystallisation processes by characterising starting materials, intermediates and APIs.
- Assessing solubility in a variety of media.
- Carrying out solid-state and solution-based stressed stability evaluations.
- Developing crystallisation procedures.
- Supporting preformulation assessment of final phases.
- Working within project teams to tight deadlines.
- Stepping in to learn new techniques whenever a project needs it.
- Solving scientific problems as they arise.
- Working effectively in a GMP laboratory.
Who we are
Come and join a cutting-edge company that tackles the toughest scientific challenges for the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. We’re passionate about advancing science and delivering solutions for our clients. We operate with ethics, integrity and professionalism, we work as a team, and we empower our people to reach their full potential.
Where you’ll work
Picture yourself on our Hoddesdon campus in Hertfordshire, a hub of innovation and excellence. It offers more than 5,000 m² of premier R&D space, including state-of-the-art GMP facilities for API, formulation and process chemistry.
Your team
Our Analytical Chemistry team provides vital support to our chemistry functions and science partners with advanced analytical solutions. We’re growing, and we’re looking for a Materials Characterisation Scientist to join us on that journey.
Why should you apply?
- Make a real impact: your work will directly shape the solid form decisions behind our clients’ medicines, in a highly scientific and regulated environment.
- Build your career your way: in an environment that sets and commits to the highest standards of Chemistry, with space to show leadership and ambition and grow with the department.
- Join people who love a challenge: a team that supports each other, embraces technical problems and puts excellence at the heart of everything we do.
Materials Characterisation Scientist employer: Pharmaron Biologics
Pharmaron is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you can make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical industry. As the Head of Partnerships, you'll have the opportunity to shape strategic relationships with leading global clients while benefiting from competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and robust employee growth opportunities within a fast-growing organisation. Join us in driving innovation and delivering high-quality services that support the development of life-changing therapies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Materials Characterisation Scientist
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Pharmaron Biologics, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Pharmaron Biologics. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Materials Characterisation Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Pharmaron Biologics. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Pharmaron Biologics. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharmaron Biologics
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Pharmaron Biologics. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Pharmaron Biologics to drive research projects forward.
