Process Development Scientist

Walker Cole International Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Cole International Ltd is seeking a Process Development Scientist to join their growing R&D team in the UK. This hands-on, laboratory-based role focuses on solving novel process challenges and supporting technology transfer.

You will design and run lab-scale experiments, apply DoE and PAT methodologies, interpret results, and work with chemists, engineers and project teams to scale up processes for industrial use.

Qualifications

• A degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Proven practical experience in laboratory-scale chemical process development
• Hands-on experience setting up, operating, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment
• A sound understanding of chemical engineering principles and unit operations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent communication and technical reporting abilities

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct laboratory-scale process engineering experiments covering operations such as mixing, filtration, heating, cooling, pumping, drying, and separation.
• Develop and troubleshoot experimental setups and apply DoE methodologies.
• Support the use of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for process monitoring and control.
• Analyse and interpret experimental results and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers and project teams to support process scale-up and technology transfer.

Skills

Lab equipment handling

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

BSc / MSc / PhD in Chemical/ Process/ Pharmaceutical Engineering or Chemistry

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

Process Development Scientist

We are supporting a well-established pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals company in their search for a Process Development Scientist to join their growing R&D team. This is a hands-on, laboratory-based role for someone who enjoys solving genuinely novel process challenges as part of a close-knit technical team, rather than following a fixed playbook.

The Role

As a Process Development Scientist, you will design and conduct laboratory-scale process engineering experiments covering operations such as mixing, filtration, heating, cooling, pumping, drying, and separation. You will develop and troubleshoot experimental setups, apply process modelling and Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies, and support the use of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for process monitoring and control. You'll analyse and interpret experimental results, translate findings into practical recommendations, and collaborate closely with scientists, engineers, and project teams to support process scale-up and technology transfer.

About You

• A degree (BSc, MSc, or PhD) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline


• Proven practical experience in laboratory-scale chemical process development


• Hands-on experience setting up, operating, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment


• A sound understanding of chemical engineering principles and unit operations


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent communication and technical reporting abilities

Desirable

• Experience in process modelling and simulation, or programming in Python, MATLAB, or R


• Background in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, speciality chemicals, biotechnology, or advanced materials


• Knowledge of DoE, PAT, statistical/multivariate data analysis, chemometrics, scale-up, pilot plant operations, or Quality by Design (QbD)