Analytical Development Chemist

Walker Cole International Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Cole International Ltd is seeking an Analytical Development Chemist to join a growing pharma and specialty chemicals R&D team. The role focuses on developing and validating analytical methods for novel materials, interpreting chromatographic data and troubleshooting method development issues; emphasis on first-principles problem solving and working without SOPs.

You will work hands-on in a laboratory, primarily with HPLC, applying transferable analytical skills to challenges beyond

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Chemistry (PhD can substitute for industrial experience).
• Strong problem-solving ability and comfort working without established SOPs.
• Experience in method development and interpreting chromatographic data.
• Transferable analytical chemistry skills across chromatography and related techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate analytical methods for novel materials (e.g., insoluble polymers).
• Interpret chromatographic data and troubleshoot method development issues.
• Apply first-principles problem solving to projects with no SOPs.
• Work primarily with HPLC instrumentation, leveraging transferable analytics skills.

Skills

First-principles problem solving

Analytical chemistry

Chromatography interpretation

Independent work

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry

PhD can substitute for industrial experience

Tools

HPLC

PAT

Job description

Analytical Development Chemist

We are supporting a well-established pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals company in their search for an Analytical Development Chemist to join their growing R&D team. This is a hands-on laboratory role for someone who thrives on first-principles problem solving, developing new analytical methods from scratch rather than relying on an existing playbook.

The Role

As an Analytical Development Chemist, you will develop and validate analytical methods for novel and challenging materials, including insoluble polymers and new extraction techniques, working beyond standard small-molecule approaches. You'll interpret chromatographic data, troubleshoot method development issues, and apply scientific, scenario-based problem solving to projects with no existing standard operating procedure to fall back on. You'll work primarily with HPLC instrumentation, though the emphasis is on transferable analytical skills rather than experience with any one specific platform.

About You

• A Masters degree in Chemistry as a minimum (a relevant PhD can substitute for industrial experience)
• Strong first-principles problem-solving ability and comfort working without established SOPs
• Practical experience in method development, including interpreting chromatographic data
• Transferable analytical chemistry skills across chromatography and related techniques
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the confidence to work independently on novel technical challenges

Desirable

• Prior industrial laboratory experience
• Experience with Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
• Experience with insoluble polymers, novel extraction methods, or materials outside standard small-molecule pharmaceutical chemistry