Associate Principal Analytical Chemist

Role

Associate Principal Scientist

Location

Alderley Park, Cheshire, England

Job Type

Permanent

Salary

£45,000 – £65,000

Date posted

19th December 2024

Start date

ASAP

The Company

Sai Life Sciences is a leading global Contract Research & Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) that provides integrated drug substance services to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. With expanded process development labs in Manchester, UK & Hyderabad, India, and increased commercial manufacturing capacity in Bidar, India, Sai is working with 17 of the top 20 pharma companies globally, as well as many leading smaller biotechs. We work with our clients to accelerate the discovery, development and manufacture of complex small molecules for a healthier tomorrow. With more than 3000 staff globally and ambitious growth plans, our vision is to support our global innovator partners to bring 25 new medicines to life by 2025.

In 2019 the company began an organisation-wide initiative to significantly expand and upgrade its R&D and manufacturing facilities, deepen scientific & technological capabilities, strengthen automation and data systems, and above all raise the bar for safety, quality and customer focus. Guided by the insights and feedback from its customers, it committed to investing over US$150M between 2019 and 2023. Part of this investment in 2020 were the new state of the art laboratories in our centre of excellence for process chemistry and analytical development at the Alderley Park Science Park, situated on the outskirts of Manchester. Our overall team currently consists of >60 multi-disciplinary scientists (chemists, analysts and engineers).

Non-GMP manufacture of kg quantities of intermediates and APIs is currently possible within our bespoke Scaleup laboratory facility and a new GMP Kilo-lab facility was brought online in 2023 capable of kg quantities of GMP API suitable for early phase clinical studies. Developed processes are frequently transferred to Sai’s manufacturing sites in India for further scale-up when required.

This role is a great opportunity for to lead analytical project, across a diverse portfolio in both the UK and India. You will also get to work closely with some of the most innovative biotech and pharma companies on their most important programs.

The role will be based in Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK and will require right to work in the UK. Occasional travel, domestic and international to India is optional.

The Role

• You will join a team that identifies, develops and optimises synthetic routes to APIs, supporting both early and late phase development.
• The successful candidates will have a background in Analytical Chemistry combined with demonstrated expertise in HPLC and experience of other analytical methodologies utilised to characterise APIs, intermediates and raw materials.
• Experience in contracting analytical testing with third parties and leading communications with customers would also be advantageous.
• The candidate is expected to support, as an analytical project lead, chemistry projects, develop, validate and carry out technical transfer of analytical methods and provide analytical expert advice to Process Chemistry colleagues.

Essential Requirements

• Higher or bachelor’s degree in Analytical Chemistry or related scientific discipline with greater than 5 years' relevant experience in a relevant analytical chemistry role in industry.
• Significant expertise in troubleshooting LC and GC methods.
• Experienced in regulatory requirements for the development and validation of methods for content and the separation of impurities and degradation products in APIs including trace level analysis.
• In-depth, hands-on expertise and up-to-date knowledge of other analytical methodologies such as techniques for identity or form determination.
• Experience in out of specification and atypical result investigations.
• Strong scientific track record and analytical project leadership experience.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Developing, troubleshooting and validating analytical methods.
• Working within multi-functional project teams operating to tight deadlines.
• Leading the analytical aspects of projects both at Alderley park and with analysts in India.
• Leading a team of analysts to plan, supervise and execute analytical work to meet project timelines
• Able to work effectively to GMP quality standards.

Key attributes

• Learning agility in the utilisation of new techniques to support projects.
• Ability to solve complex scientific problems.
• Good communication; both written and verbal.
• A team player, with ability to influence.
• Good project management and supervisory / mentoring skills.
• Conscientious with a can-do attitude with good attention to detail.
• Experience in the use of IT packages such as Word and Excel and in Analytical Data systems such as Empower 3.

The Offer

• A competitive Salary and Benefits package including company pension, health and life insurance, 25 days holiday per year and enhanced family leave.
• Work in a state-of-the-art facility on one of the country's leading Biotech & Life Science Parks.
• Flexible working hours and conditions to suit the right candidate.

Next steps

Please send your CV and cover letter to with details of the role that you are applying for.

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Please note that Sai Life Sciences Ltd is unable to sponsor the visas for any candidates for the above role.