Materials Characterisation Scientist

Pharmaron; Hoddesdon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaron on Hoddesdon campus seeks a Materials Characterisation Scientist to apply XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD to develop and characterise starting materials, intermediates and APIs. You’ll collaborate with Process Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Product Development and Analytical Chemistry teams to support from development through to formulation.

You’ll bring MSc or BSc with industrial experience, plus hands-on knowledge of analytical methods and data analytics.

Qualifications

• An MSc in Chemistry or a related subject with experience in Materials Characterisation, ideally in a Pharmaceutical Development role, or a BSc in Chemistry with at least 2 years’ relevant industrial experience in Materials Characterisation
• Significant expertise in developing and troubleshooting materials characterisation methods, including XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD
• In‑depth, hands‑on and up‑to‑date knowledge of other analytical methodologies
• Knowledge of data analytics and data visualisation tools
• Knowledge of crystallisation methodologies relevant to drug substances (desirable)
• A strong scientific track record you’re proud of

Responsibilities

• Helping clients define their final salt and polymorphic form through a full materials characterisation assessment
• Running salt and polymorph screens using state‑of‑the‑art High Throughput Experimentation
• Mapping the polymorph landscape for final APIs and identifying the thermodynamically stable form
• Supporting Process Chemistry in defining crystallisation processes by characterising starting materials, intermediates and APIs
• Assessing solubility in a variety of media
• Carrying out solid‑state and solution‑based stressed stability evaluations
• Developing crystallisation procedures
• Supporting preformulation assessment of final phases
• Working within project teams to tight deadlines
• Stepping in to learn new techniques whenever a project needs it
• Solving scientific problems as they arise
• Working effectively in a GMP laboratory

Skills

XRPD

DSC

TGA

DVS

Microscopy

PSD

Crystallisation methods

Data analytics

Data visualisation

Education

MSc in Chemistry

BSc in Chemistry with 2+ years experience

Tools

Gaussian

Materials Studio

ORCA

Job description

Materials Characterisation Scientist

Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.

We’re proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to biologics and gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers. To learn more, visit .

Does a new XRPD pattern get you excited? Do you enjoy unravelling a polymorph landscape and helping a client land on the right salt and solid form? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

As a Materials Characterisation Scientist, you’ll have the chance to put your knowledge of a wide range of analytical techniques to work. You’ll support the development and characterisation of Starting Materials, Intermediates, APIs and formulations, working closely with our Process Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Product Development and Analytical Chemistry colleagues.

You’ll bring a background in Materials Characterisation and Analytical Chemistry, with expertise in XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD. Knowledge of crystallisation development, process analytical technology, chemical engineering, milling, polymorphism and crystallography, along with other analytical methodologies used to characterise APIs, would be a definite advantage.

What’s In It For You At Pharmaron

• A vibrant, dynamic place to work: we’re a highly specialised, growing company in a critical sector of the economy. Our future is strong and exciting, and you can be part of it.
• Room to grow: our rapid growth means more opportunities for you to learn, develop and progress faster.
• A team that has your back: we support each other and enjoy what we do. After all, you spend about a third of your time here!

What You’ll Bring

• An MSc in Chemistry or a related subject with experience in Materials Characterisation, ideally in a Pharmaceutical Development role, or a BSc in Chemistry with at least 2 years’ relevant industrial experience in Materials Characterisation
• Significant expertise in developing and troubleshooting materials characterisation methods, including XRPD, DSC, TGA, DVS, microscopy and PSD
• In‑depth, hands‑on and up‑to‑date knowledge of other analytical methodologies
• Knowledge of data analytics and data visualisation tools
• Knowledge of crystallisation methodologies relevant to drug substances (desirable)
• A strong scientific track record you’re proud of

Bonus points if you also have

• Experience with modelling and simulation tools
• Proficiency in computational software such as Gaussian, Materials Studio or ORCA
• Experience with force field methods (COMPASS, MMFF94)
• Experience with COSMO-RS
• Experience with electrostatic potential mapping and analysis
• Experience with energy minimisation and conformational analysis
• Experience with Hirshfeld surface analysis and lattice energy calculations
• Experience with a coding language

What You’ll Be Doing

• Helping clients define their final salt and polymorphic form through a full materials characterisation assessment
• Running salt and polymorph screens using state‑of‑the‑art High Throughput Experimentation
• Mapping the polymorph landscape for final APIs and identifying the thermodynamically stable form
• Supporting Process Chemistry in defining crystallisation processes by characterising starting materials, intermediates and APIs
• Assessing solubility in a variety of media
• Carrying out solid‑state and solution‑based stressed stability evaluations
• Developing crystallisation procedures
• Supporting preformulation assessment of final phases
• Working within project teams to tight deadlines
• Stepping in to learn new techniques whenever a project needs it
• Solving scientific problems as they arise
• Working effectively in a GMP laboratory

Who We Are

Come and join a cutting‑edge company that tackles the toughest scientific challenges for the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

We’re passionate about advancing science and delivering solutions for our clients. We operate with ethics, integrity and professionalism, we work as a team, and we empower our people to reach their full potential.

Where you’ll work

Picture yourself on our Hoddesdon campus in Hertfordshire, a hub of innovation and excellence. It offers more than 5,000 m² of premier R&D space, including state‑of‑the‑art GMP facilities for API, formulation and process chemistry.

Your team

Our Analytical Chemistry team provides vital support to our chemistry functions and science partners with advanced analytical solutions. We’re growing, and we’re looking for a Materials Characterisation Scientist to join us on that journey.

Why should you apply?

• Make a real impact: your work will directly shape the solid form decisions behind our clients’ medicines, in a highly scientific and regulated environment.
• Build your career your way: in an environment that sets and commits to the highest standards of Chemistry, with space to show leadership and ambition and grow with the department.
• Join people who love a challenge: a team that supports each other, embraces technical problems and puts excellence at the heart of everything we do.