2027 Graduate - Applied Scientist (Materials Science) - Cambridge

PA Consulting Group; Melbourn; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Community involvement

Annual bonus

Cycle to work

Job summary

PA Consulting Group is seeking a 2027 graduate inApplied Scientist (Materials Science) for our Global Innovation & Technology Centre in Melbourn, Cambridge. The role focuses on developing sustainable materials, sensors, and medical devices, with hands‑on lab work and desk‑based research alongside a multidisciplinary team.

You will join a growing applied science group spanning biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science, working to turn academic knowledge into real‑world solutions for

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Materials Sciences with emphasis on materials science/physical chemistry.
• Growth mindset, curiosity, and willingness to learn across disciplines.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in professional settings.
• Analytical problem-solving and adaptability in multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Reliable, punctual, and professional with sound workplace etiquette.
• Practical, proactive approach to applying knowledge to real-world problems.

Skills

Growth mindset

Curious

Collaborative

Clear communication

Analytical thinking

Proactive attitude

Education

Undergraduate degree in Materials Sciences

Job description

2027 Graduate - Applied Scientist (Materials Science) - Cambridge

Global Innovation and Technology Centre, Back Lane, Melbourn, Hertfordshire, SG8 6DP, United Kingdom, Melbourn SG8 6DP, GB

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

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.

What you can expect

We can’t tell you everything we are doing now – there’s not enough space! Some of the core capabilities our graduate scientists support is:

The world needs products and processes that are more sustainable and make more efficient use of resources. We develop novel materials as replacements for single use plastics, novel sensors and sensing systems to help us make more intelligent use of resources ; we support public sector, start-ups and the world’s largest corporates in understanding and achieving their sustainability ambitions.

Creating new medical devices and therapies

We develop new medical device s and the manufacturing processes that help save lives. We supported the UK’s Ventilator challenge – massively scaling the supply base for ventilators during the pandemic – everyone who needed a ventilator got one, and made use of our chemistry and materials science base to create a new way to test autoinjectors – saving time, energy and resources in developing these lifesaving technologies.

There are so many more stories we’d love to share with you, but you’ll have to come talk to us to find out more!

Assessment process

First Stage Assessments:

• Application form
• Online Assessments
• Technical assessment
• Pre Screen Telephone Interview

Final Stage Assessments:

In Person - Assessment Centre with Technical assessments

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [e-mail]

Qualifications

• Qualification: Completed or Studying towards an undergraduate degree in Materials Sciences (including but not limited to Natural Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical & Materials Engineering and related subjects with an emphasis on materials science and/or physical chemistry)
• 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

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

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 2027

Additional information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

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

We’re 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 underrepresented groups.