Principal / Lead Separation Scientist

Sygnature Discovery; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Job summary

Sygnature Discovery invites applications for the position of Principal / Lead Scientist in Nottingham. This full-time laboratory role requires a PhD in a scientific discipline or related experience in Separation Science. You will manage and mentor teams while providing expertise across drug discovery projects and integrating AI into workflows.

The role involves overseeing purification processes, ensuring quality execution, and contributing to innovative scientific advancements. Benefits include 25 days annual leave and enhanced family-friendly policies.

Qualifications

• PhD or master’s degree in a relevant scientific field.
• Experience managing small scientific teams (4-6 people).
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to various stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior chromatographers.
• Understanding of AI and ML in chromatographic automation.
• Extensive knowledge of analytical instrumentation and troubleshooting.
• Desire for innovation in technology and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the purification lifecycle from crude to pure material.
• Provide expertise across drug discovery programs.
• Ensure high-quality execution across multiple projects.
• Act as a technical expert for instrumentation.
• Mentor and develop scientists, fostering team culture.
• Integrate AI and machine learning approaches in workflows.

Skills

Line management experience

Strong communication skills

Mentoring and coaching

Knowledge of AI and ML models

Education

PhD in a Scientific Discipline or master’s degree in Separation Science

Tools

Chromatographic software

LIMS platforms

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Job description

About the role

A rare opportunity has become available to join our Separation Science Chemistry team in Nottingham. This is a full-time, laboratory-based position. As a Principal / Lead Scientist, you will act as a technical expert within Separation Science, supporting integrated client projects and specialist analytical and purification services. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across Chemistry, DMPK, Formulation and Bioscience, helping to shape scientific direction and strengthen our analytical and purification capabilities. You will also support, coach and develop junior chromatographers, helping to build their technical capability and scientific judgement. Experience managing, mentoring or coaching scientists is therefore essential. This role offers the chance to work across a broad and varied portfolio of projects, using a range of tools and instrumentation, including Supercritical Fluid Chromatography, to analyse and interpret complex data.

Role Responsibilities

• Oversee and contribute to the purification lifecycle from crude to pure material
• Provide subject matter expertise across drug discovery programmes influencing compound progression and workflow decisions to internal and external customers
• Ensure high quality experimental design, execution and reporting across multiple diverse projects
• Act as a technical expert for all instrumentation, partnering with vendors and training of internal team members
• Represent Separation Science in internal forums and external collaborations
• Mentor and develop scientists, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team culture
• Key role in the integration and application of AI and machine learning approaches to optimise chromatographic workflows

Skills & Qualifications

• PhD in a Scientific Discipline or master’s degree and experience in a Separation Science
• Proven track record of line management and ability to manage small (4-6 people) scientific teams.
• Strong communication skills are important, as you will need to explain complex scientific and technical information clearly to clients and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong mentoring and coaching skills, with experience in developing junior chromatographers
• Implemented or have an understanding of AI and ML models to improve chromatographic automation
• Extensive knowledge and experience of state-of-the-art preparative and analytical instrumentation with the ability to identify and troubleshoot equipment issues
• Innovation-driven mindset, continuously seeking improvements in technology and workflow
• Ability to code chromatographic software and software / LIMS platforms is also desirable

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Please note: This advert may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.