Method Development Lead

Smithers; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance with Bupa

Employer-matched pension contributions

Eyecare vouchers

Ride to Work scheme

Life assurance cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Free mortgage advice service

Job summary

Smithers Environmental Risk Sciences (ERS) in Harrogate seeks a Method Development Lead to drive analytical method development and validation for pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals and biocides. You will lead a small team, deliver GLP studies, and interact with clients to shape study design and data packages.

Reporting to the Director of Chemistry, you will develop strategies for emerging contaminants, ensure regulator-ready reporting, and contribute to continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or related field (BSc/MSc/PhD).
• Experience in analytical method development in a regulated lab or CRO.
• Strong hands-on expertise with LC-MS/MS and GC instrumentation.
• Experience with pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and/or biocidal products.
• Understanding of emerging contaminants and analytical challenges in the environment.
• GLP Study Director experience desirable.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and scientific judgement.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, optimise, and validate analytical methods for target molecule within complex environmental matrices.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques with a focus on LC-MS/MS and GC methods.
• Act as a Contributing Scientist for analytical studies.
• Lead a small technical team of 3 members; scheduling, method triage and technical support.
• Provide technical leadership and input into study design and method strategy.
• Support identification and assessment of emerging environmental contaminants.
• Interpret complex data and produce regulator-ready reports.
• Engage with clients to discuss approaches and support study delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and best practice within the team.
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions.

Skills

LC-MS/MS

GC instrumentation

Method development

Regulatory awareness

Communication

Leadership

Education

BSc/MSc/PhD in Chemistry

Tools

LC-MS/MS

GC instrumentation

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Method Development Lead to join the Chemistry department within the Environmental Risk Sciences (ERS) division of Smithers, based in Harrogate.
This role is ideal for an experienced analytical scientist with a strong background in method development and validation, particularly for pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and biocides, who is looking to play a key role in shaping the technical and scientific direction of a growing team.
Smithers ERS Limited provides environmental and regulatory safety testing services to clients across the pharmaceutical, agricultural, chemical, and biocidal sectors. Our analytical teams support regulatory submissions by generating high-quality, defensible data in compliance with international guidelines and quality systems.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of Chemistry, the Method Development Lead will manage and deliver complex analytical method development activities, lead a small team of technical specialists supporting both routine and novel studies. The role includes a mix of hands-on laboratory work, GLP Study Director responsibilities, and client-facing scientific interaction, making it well suited to a technically strong scientist with good communication skills and regulatory awareness.
This role will contribute to the development of analytical strategies for emerging contaminants, supporting environmental exposure, fate, and risk assessment studies under GLP and non-GLP frameworks.
Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, optimise, and validate analytical methods for target molecule within complex environmental relevant matrices
• Apply advanced analytical techniques, with a strong focus on LC-MS/MS and GC-based methods
• Act as a Contributing Scientist for assigned analytical and environmental chemistry studies
• Lead a small technical team of 3 members facilitating scheduling, method triage and technical support
• Provide technical leadership and scientific input into study design and method strategy
• Support the identification and assessment of emerging environmental contaminants
• Interpret complex analytical data and produce high-quality, regulator-ready reports
• Engage directly with clients to discuss technical approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and support study delivery
• Contribute to continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice within the analytical team
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions as required

Qualifications And Experience

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or a related discipline
• Significant practical experience in analytical method development within a regulated laboratory or CRO environment
• Strong hands-on expertise with LC-MS/MS and GC instrumentation
• Experience working with pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, agrochemicals, and/or biocidal products
• Demonstrated understanding of emerging contaminants in the environment and their analytical challenges
• Experience acting as a Study Director or supporting study direction under GLP is highly desirable
• Strong problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and scientific judgement
• Excellent communication, organisational, and client-facing skills

We Offer
Benefits
We offer the opportunity to work on diverse and technically challenging projects alongside experienced scientists, while developing a rewarding and flexible career. Our benefits include:

• Private Medical Insurance with Bupa
• Employer-matched pension contributions
• Eyecare vouchers
• Ride to Work scheme
• Life assurance cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free mortgage advice service

Join Smithers and help shape the future of environmental and analytical science.
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