Screening Scientist II

Cambrex Corp.; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global contract development organization is seeking a Solid Form Scientist to join their team in Edinburgh. The role involves conducting solid form screening projects for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and requires a strong background in chemistry and practical lab experience. Candidates should have excellent communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, and a commercial awareness of business needs. This position does not offer visa sponsorship, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Join a forward-thinking team at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical development.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of industrial experience in a pharmaceutical company.
• Experience working with small and large molecules.
• Practical experience using wet chemistry techniques.

Responsibilities

• Conduct solid form screening projects for APIs.
• Ensure compliance with quality and safety systems.
• Work with clients to progress API development.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to learn new skills and techniques

Solution-oriented problem solving

Organisational skills

Commercial awareness

Knowledge of APIs and their development

Knowledge of polymorphism

Lab safety compliance

Experience in R&D environment

Education

BSc (Hons) in chemistry

Masters in chemistry

PhD in chemistry or related discipline

Tools

XRPD

DSC

TGA/DSC

NMR

FT‑IR

Raman

Job description

Company Information

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services.

With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, liquid-phase peptide synthesis, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs.

Job Overview

As a solid form scientist based in Edinburgh, you will, together with our clients across the pharmaceutical industry, participate in the discovery and selection of the most important solid forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to take into the next stage of development. You will work with small and large molecules to identify optimal solid forms to move the API further along the development pipeline. You will form an important part of our technical team and will work at the cutting‑edge in a fast‑paced and rewarding environment. You will demonstrate the highest technical standards, while maintaining compliance to quality and safety systems.

Responsibilities

• The main purpose of the Solid Form Scientist is to carry out solid form screening projects to the highest technical standards, on the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for clients of Cambrex. Also, to facilitate closure of projects with minimal lead‑time, whilst maintaining compliance to quality and safety systems, so that clients can progress development of their product/API.

Qualifications / Skills

• An enthusiastic team player with excellent communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills and techniques.
• Application of knowledge to solve complex problems.
• Demonstrate high levels of motivation and the organisational planning tools to manage workload across multiple projects.
• Be commercially aware of business development needs.
• Knowledgeable of the pharmaceutical development continuum of APIs.
• Knowledge of polymorphism, salt/co‑crystal screening, and peptide crystallization screening (essential).
• Ability to discuss complex technical data clearly and succinctly (essential).
• Ability to work safely in a lab environment, adhering to local SHE policies (essential).
• Experience of working independently and within a team in an R&D environment, within ISO9001 and/or cGMP quality standards (essential).

Education, Experience & Licensing Requirements

• BSc (Hons), Masters in chemistry, PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering or related discipline (essential).
• 2+ years industrial experience in a pharmaceutical company / contract research organization.
• Experience of working with small molecules and/or large molecules (peptide fragments, cyclic and linear peptides) and other complex modalities (essential).
• Practical experience in a laboratory setting using wet chemistry techniques (essential).
• Experience/knowledge of solid-state analytical techniques (e.g., XRPD, DSC, TGA/DSC, microscopy, DVS, single crystal X-ray diffraction) and more general spectroscopic (e.g., NMR, FT‑IR, Raman) (essential).
• Experience using automated screening platforms (desirable).
• Experience in working independently and within a team in an R&D environment.
• Experience with working safely in a lab environment and adhering to local SHE policies.
• Able to participate in client meetings and discuss technical data clearly and succinctly.

Success Factors

• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Be well organised and able to manage high workloads.
• Able to meet deadlines and plan one’s own work effectively.
• Possess excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Be commercially aware of business development needs.
• Knowledgeable of the pharmaceutical development continuum of APIs.

Cambrex Edinburgh is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this job role, applicants must be able to provide proof of their right to work in the UK.

Cambrex is an Equal Opportunity / Aff¬eative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.