Associate Principal/Principal Analytical Scientist

Sai Life Sciences Ltd; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company pension

Health and life insurance

Flexible working arrangements

State‑of‑the‑art laboratories

Job summary

You will mentor scientists, drive technical excellence, and collaborate with global teams across the UK and India. Occasional travel may be required. Competitive salary based on experience plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Significant pharmaceutical industry experience in analytical development and drug substance development.
• Extensive hands-on chromatographic expertise (LC/GC).
• Experience leading analytical projects and mentoring teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical strategy and delivery for small molecule API development programmes.
• Provide scientific and project leadership across complex, multidisciplinary development projects.
• Partner with Process Chemistry and other stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
• Lead analytical method development, troubleshooting, validation and tech transfer across non-GMP, GLP and GMP environments.
• Design, plan and deliver analytical programmes to agreed project timelines.
• Lead analytical activities supporting technology transfer between the UK and India.
• Provide expert oversight of analytical instrumentation and laboratory operations.
• Mentor and develop analytical scientists to foster technical excellence.

Skills

Analytical leadership

Project leadership

Chromatography (LC/GC)

Regulatory knowledge (GMP)

Analytical method development

Data systems (LIMS/Empower)

Education

PhD/MSc in Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry

Pharmaceutical industry experience

Tools

Empower

UNIFI

LIMS

Job description

Associate Principal Scientist / Principal Scientist - Analytical Development

Competitive Salary (Based on experience) + Comprehensive Benefits Package

Lead the Science. Develop the Team. Influence the Future of Drug Development.

Are you an experienced analytical scientist looking for an opportunity to combine hands‑on laboratory science with project leadership and team development?

At Sai Life Sciences, you'll lead analytical programmes across a diverse portfolio of small molecule drug development projects, working alongside world‑class process chemists, analytical scientists and engineers to help bring innovative medicines to patients faster. This is a unique opportunity to influence project strategy from discovery through to late‑stage development while mentoring the next generation of analytical scientists within a growing global organisation.

Whether you're currently leading analytical projects in pharma, biotech or a CDMO environment, and are looking for greater scientific ownership, broader project exposure and the opportunity to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

About Sai Life Sciences

Sai Life Sciences is a rapidly growing global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) partnering with innovative biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialisation of small molecule medicines.

With more than 3,000 employees worldwide and R&D facilities in Boston, Manchester and Hyderabad, Sai works with 18 of the world's top 25 pharmaceutical companies, alongside many emerging biotech organisations.

In 2020, Sai established its UK Centre of Excellence for Process Chemistry and Analytical Development at Alderley Park, Cheshire. Today, the site is home to more than 60 multidisciplinary scientists, analysts and engineers supporting drug development programmes from discovery through to clinical manufacture.

Following a successful IPO in December 2024, Sai continues to expand its global capabilities and is investing in scientific excellence across both the UK and India.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and India to support the development of life‑changing medicines.

The position is based at Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK. Occasional travel, including visits to India, may be required depending on project needs.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced analytical scientist to provide scientific, technical and project leadership across small molecule API development programmes from discovery through to late‑stage development.

This role combines hands‑on laboratory work with strategic leadership of analytical activities, offering the opportunity to shape project direction, develop scientific talent and drive technical excellence across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead analytical strategy and delivery for small molecule API development programmes.
• Provide scientific and project leadership across complex, multidisciplinary development projects.
• Partner closely with Process Chemistry and other stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
• Lead analytical method development, troubleshooting, validation and technology transfer activities across non‑GMP, GLP and GMP environments.
• Design, plan and deliver analytical programmes to agreed project timelines.
• Lead analytical activities supporting technology transfer between the UK and India.
• Provide expert oversight of analytical instrumentation and laboratory operations.
• Guide, mentor and develop analytical scientists, fostering technical excellence and capability growth.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and best practice in analytical science, quality and safety.
• Communicate data, strategy and scientific conclusions effectively to clients and project stakeholders.
• BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant pharmaceutical industry experience with a strong track record in analytical development and drug substance development.
• Extensive hands‑on expertise in chromatographic techniques, particularly LC and GC.
• Experience developing, troubleshooting and validating analytical methods used to characterise APIs, intermediates and raw materials.
• Working knowledge of complementary analytical techniques such as NMR, MS, IR and/or XRD.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and the ability to apply technical expertise to solve complex development challenges.
• Experience managing analytical project activities and delivering results through both direct contribution and leadership of others.
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations relating to analytical method development and validation, including assay, impurities, degradation products and trace‑level analysis.
• Experience leading quality and compliance activities, including OOS/OOT investigations, deviations, CAPAs and change controls.
• Application and implementation of GMP quality systems and standards.
• Analytical support of route and process development programmes across early, mid and late‑stage development.
• Management of outsourced analytical testing and third‑party laboratories.
• Direct customer interaction and stakeholder management.
• Line management, coaching and development of scientific teams.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong scientific and technical leadership in pharmaceutical analytical development.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and sound scientific judgement.
• The ability to balance hands‑on laboratory work with project and team leadership responsibilities.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with a genuine passion for developing others.
• An innovative mindset and enthusiasm for new technologies and approaches.
• Experience with analytical software and data systems such as Empower, UNIFI and LIMS.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Company pension scheme.
• Health and life insurance.
• Enhanced family leave policies.
• Flexible working arrangements where possible.
• State‑of‑the‑art laboratories at Alderley Park, one of the UK's leading life science campuses.
• Opportunities to work with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• The chance to make a meaningful contribution to the development of new medicines.

Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sai Life Sciences Ltd is currently unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

• Sai Life Sciences is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.