2026 Graduate - Bio Scientist (Applied Sciences) - Cambridge

PA Consulting; Royston; Hybrid; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Graduate in Applied Sciences to innovate in areas such as cell and gene therapy and diagnostics. You will leverage your degree to tackle real-world problems alongside a talented team. The salary potential is £31,000, and the role starts in Autumn 2026, offering a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Health and lifestyle perks

25 days annual leave

Generous company pension scheme

Annual performance-based bonus

PA share ownership

Qualifications

• Open to change and eager to learn new technologies.
• Thrive in dynamic teams and build relationships.
• Excellent communication to explain complex ideas.

Responsibilities

• Apply bio-science knowledge to solve real-world problems.
• Support projects in cell and gene therapy, diagnostics, and biomaterials.
• Work collaboratively on multidisciplinary projects.

Skills

Curiosity

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Communication skills

Proactivity

Education

Completed or studying towards an undergraduate degree in biological science

Job description

Overview

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 team

• 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 share 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, 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.

• We ensure that systems we build harness the full potential of biology and translate biology to other technical disciplines so our projects maximise the core biology performance.

• Working at the intersection of biology and real-world applications can be rewarding and provide opportunity to learn new skills.

What you can expect

We can’t tell you everything we are doing now. Some core capabilities our graduate scientists support include:

• Making Science Real – We help clients understand, contextualise and mature science from a blank sheet of paper to real-life products and capabilities. This involves understanding the problem and applying techniques across science to solve it. This includes work such as developing radio receiver concepts based on atomic gases, exploring how quantum computers can aid decision making, and accelerating the development of affordable cell and gene therapies with start-ups.

• Enabling Sustainability – Developing novel materials (often bio-based) as replacements for single-use plastics, sensors and sensing systems, and supporting customers in understanding and achieving sustainability ambitions.

• Creating new medical devices and life-saving therapies – Developing new medical devices and manufacturing processes; example work includes supporting ventilator supply challenges and developing tests for autoinjectors.

• Making disruptive technologies a reality – Working with clients from government to global brands on emerging technologies and biomimicry to create more powerful and sustainable products; developing next-generation laboratory instruments for life science research.

• There are additional stories to share; please contact us to learn more.

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

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Qualifications

• Qualification: 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 understanding of the world, new technologies, and new markets

• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers

• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments with excellent communication skills, able to explain complex ideas to both experts and non-experts

• Analytical and adaptable — strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and ability to apply skills to new technical areas; capable of hands-on lab work and desk research

• Professional and reliable — punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations

• Practical and proactive — applying knowledge in real-world contexts and taking a proactive approach to getting things done

This is an exciting opportunity to apply science in situations which will ultimately lead to real-world innovation.

We know the skill-gap can affect candidates; please apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some UK roles at PA Consulting require UK security clearance.

All PA people undergo background checks and the Baseline Personnel Security Standard; higher levels of National Security Vetting may be required with residency criteria.

We therefore ask that you meet residency requirements and review UK Government guidance on security vetting before applying.

Additional Information

Life At PA encompasses our people’s experience and growth opportunities, with purpose-led meaningful work. We foster a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks potential so everyone can be their best.

Find out more about Life at PA.

We are dedicated to supporting the well-being of our people. If you join us, consider the benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the option to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to engage with community and charity initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We recruit and develop our people based on abilities and contributions without bias and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations - If you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, please contact us on a contact email.

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