Scientist/Senior Scientist – Crystallisation & Solid State

Catsci Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Wellbeing program

Job summary

CatSci Ltd seeks a Scientist/Senior Scientist to advance crystallisation and solid-state science for client projects. You will deliver high-quality experimental work, collaborate across teams and contribute to drug development programmes.

The role emphasizes hands-on materials science in a manufacturing-oriented environment, with opportunities to mentor colleagues and develop process understanding.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industrial experience with pharmaceuticals crystallisation focus.
• Experience with crystallisation, polymorphism and solid-state analyses.
• Manufacturing environment experience is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute complex materials science studies across client projects.
• Model and optimise crystallisation, isolation, and drying steps for pharmaceutical materials.
• Screen Salt, Polymorph, and Co-crystal systems and interpret results.
• Improve solid-state workflows and technologies within CatSci.
• Apply thermal, spectroscopic, microscopy and particle characterisation methods.

Skills

Crystallisation

Materials science

Data analytics

Solid-state chemistry

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

BSc/Masters + industrial experience

Tools

Process analytical technologies (PAT)

Job description

Join a team that’s transforming drug development

At CatSci, we partner with our clients to solve complex scientific problems and accelerate the delivery of life‑changing medicines. We’re now looking for a Scientist/Senior Scientist – Crystallisation & Solid State to join our scientific team and play a key role in delivering high‑quality, client‑focused science. If you’re a hands‑on scientist who enjoys variety, collaboration, and seeing your work make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

We are especially keen to hear from people with industrial experience in a manufacturing environment.

About CatSci

Founded in 2010 by former AstraZeneca scientists, we began as a catalyst screening specialist before evolving into a fully integrated innovation partner for complex synthetic medicines. What started in a single lab in Cardiff has expanded across 14 state-of-the‑art laboratories across the UK and Europe. Over the past decade, we’ve expanded into process chemistry, analytical development, oligonucleotides, peptides, and today, CatSci stands as a trusted drug development partner to more than 100 biotechs and global pharma companies.

We pride ourselves on creating an environment where all our employees can flourish. As part of our team, you’ll thrive on a culture of continuous improvement and always be encouraged to be the best version of yourself. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger.

The Role

As a Scientist/Senior Scientist at CatSci, you’ll work collaboratively on a range of client programmes, applying your technical expertise to solve challenging problems across drug discovery and development. You’ll deliver high‑quality experimental work, contribute to project success, and support the development of colleagues within a supportive, inclusive environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced materials scientist ready to take the next step in responsibility while remaining close to the science.

What you’ll be doing

• Designing, executing, and interpreting complex experimental studies in materials science, across our customer project portfolio

• Using chemical engineering principles, model-based design of experiments and control approaches to design and optimise crystallisation, isolation and drying operations for pharmaceutical materials

• Using crystallisation and solid-state expertise to design and execute experimental plans in Salt, Polymorph, and Co-crystal screening projects

• Supporting continuous improvement of workflows and technologies that develop CatSci’s solid state capability

• Use of thermal, spectroscopic, microscopy and particle characterisation methods

• Working effectively across functional boundaries and with our client teams to achieve project needs and share opportunities and challenges

• Taking personal responsibility for the quality, integrity, communication and delivery of crystallisation science on your projects, and maintaining strong operational relationships with customers

About you

You’ll bring strong scientific expertise, curiosity, and a pragmatic, solutions‑focused mindset. You’ll enjoy working across projects and collaborating with others to deliver real value for clients.

The ideal candidate will have:

• PhD (or BSc/Masters plus equivalent industrial experience to PhD) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, or Pharmaceutical Science, with a technical focus on pharmaceutical crystallisation and polymorphism

• Additional industrial experience beyond PhD, ideally in a manufacturing-oriented environment

• State‑of‑the‑art knowledge of crystallisation methodologies relevant to drug substances

• Knowledge and understanding of the implications of Drug Substance manufacture on Drug Product development and manufacturing

• Proven history of delivering projects on‑time and to a high level of scientific rigour

• Ability to deliver a high and safe standard of laboratory work whilst simultaneously delivering value to multiple projects

• Familiarity with process analytical technologies in the context of crystallisation process development (desired)

• Knowledge of data analytics and data visualisation tools (desired)

Person Specification

• Self‑motivated and results‑oriented with a clear personal focus on delivering demanding project objectives

• Ability to thoroughly assess scientific problems/challenges and propose multiple solutions with clear scientific rationale, and to prioritise the proposed solutions

• Good communicator, using written and verbal media, for internal and external collaboration

• Enthusiastic and willing to learn; keen for challenging new experiences and scientific accountability

• Works well both independently and collaboratively with others to ensure collective goals are achieved

• Demonstrates a genuine commitment to the time and effort needed to develop oneself and others

• Understands customers’ needs and uses that insight to provide value

Why join CatSci?

• Work on varied, impactful client projects at the cutting edge of drug development

• A supportive, inclusive culture where people can thrive

• Genuine investment in your learning, development, and career progression

• A strong wellbeing offer and enhanced family‑friendly benefits

CatSci is proud to be aDisability Confident Employer,Living Wage Employer, and an inclusive workplace where everyone is encouraged to be their authentic self.

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £31,370- £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)

• 25 days annual leave+ 8 days bank holiday

• 2 volunteer/charity days per year

• Long service awards

• Annual bonus

• Company pension

• Wellbeing Program including EAP and financial support options

• Private medical insurance

• Death in service cover

• Learning and Development opportunities

• and more great benefits!

*As an equal opportunities employer, we will provide reasonable support to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments in order to attend/ perform in the interview, please do not hesitate to let us know.