Shift Supervisor

Chemify Ltd; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemify Ltd is seeking an Analysis & Purification Shift Supervisor to lead both teams on shift in Glasgow. You will manage sample preparation, purification workflows, and analytical workflows, ensuring robust, compliant operations and a smooth handover between departments.

You will mentor staff, lead MES-related initiatives, and drive safe, efficient lab practices within a flat, ownership-driven culture. Strong communication and problem-solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum Higher (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics and a Science subject; HNC/HND or degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline, with laboratory experience.
• In-depth, hands-on expertise in either purification or analysis with willingness to develop across both.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership of both analysis and purification teams across the shift.
• Oversee training for new starters and mentor team members on instruments and laboratory procedures.
• Own completion of documentation and lead process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Troubleshooting

Communication

Lab safety

Education

Higher in English, Maths and Science or equivalent

HNC/HND or degree in scientific discipline with lab experience

Tools

MES

Job description

We are looking for an Analysis & Purification Shift Supervisor to lead both the analysis and purification teams on shift, delivering the end-to-end workflow to a consistently high standard. On the purification side this covers sample preparation, Flash and Prep-HPLC purification, fraction identification, evaporation, vialling and material handover. On the analysis side it covers sample preparation, TLC, UPLC and NMR analysis, and technical troubleshooting.

In this hands-on, fully lab-based role, you will be the shift's technical point of expertise across both departments. You will own complex fraction identification and method selection, keep analytical instruments reliable and ready for use, and make sure work flows smoothly between purification and analysis. Working closely with software and engineering colleagues, you will help improve our proprietary technology as we build the world's most advanced automated chemical manufacturing laboratory.

Beyond delivery, you will oversee training for new starters, mentor team members, own shift discipline and handover, act as the point of expertise for our Manufacturing Execution System (MES), lead process improvement projects and champion safe working practices. We operate with a flat structure, encouraging every team member to take ownership, lead projects and influence our scientific direction.

Key Responsibilities

Shift leadership

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership of both the analysis and purification teams, being present in the lab across both departments and clearly communicating any exceptions to the team.
• Coordinate weekly task allocation across analysis and purification, aligning the team around agreed roles, schedules and priorities, and balancing resource between the two areas as demand shifts.
• Make sure work hands over smoothly between purification and analysis, so samples, fractions and results move through the workflow without delay.
• Oversee training for new starters, and train and mentor team members on instruments, sample preparation, purification techniques and laboratory procedures.
• Own completion of the Fit-to-Operate documentation.
• Set the tone for the shift by modelling expected standards and behaviours.

Purification

• Lead by example in delivering purification workflow tasks to a consistently high standard, including sample preparation, Flash and Prep-HPLC purification, evaporation, vialling and material handover.
• Take ownership of complex fraction identification and guide method selection.
• Build and share expertise in advanced purification protocols such as SFC, precipitation, recrystallisation, solid-phase extraction and distillation.

Analysis

• Oversee the daily operation of analytical instruments, including UPLC, NMR and TLC, ensuring systems are reliable, ready for use and operating to expected standards.
• Prepare samples, mobile phases and buffers, continuously improving preparation methods to increase consistency, quality and efficiency.
• Lead instrument maintenance across both departments, including routine care, performance checks and coordination of vendor servicing.
• Troubleshoot instrument and method issues, identify root causes and implement practical solutions that prevent repeat problems.

Lab standards, safety and continuous improvement

• Set and maintain high standards for core lab support activities, including consumables restocking, system suitability testing, maintenance and buffer preparation, and own the lab start-up and shutdown process.
• Promote accurate, real-time data capture through MES, acting as the team's point of expertise for all MES workflows.
• Maintain accurate documentation and data integrity, following laboratory standards and contributing to SOP improvements where required.
• Champion safe working practices, including CoSHH documentation, risk assessments and work-order-specific safety requirements, and take charge of time-critical or safety-related issues.
• Proactively identify recurring problems or bottlenecks, lead practical problem-solving for process and technical issues, and elevate clearly through the appropriate channels.
• Lead or own workstreams within process improvement projects, including literature review, laboratory-based testing and presenting findings to the team.
• Support lab readiness for changing priorities, new projects and increased sample volume.

Basic Qualifications

You do not need full experience in both purification and analysis. We are looking for in-depth, hands-on experience in one discipline, plus at least a working understanding of the other.

• Minimum Higher (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics and a Science subject; HNC/HND or degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline, with laboratory experience.
• Previous work or study experience in a technical or analytical laboratory role, including the safe handling of chemicals.
• In-depth, hands-on experience in either purification (e.g. sample preparation, Flash and Prep-HPLC, fraction identification, evaporation) or analysis (e.g. sample preparation, TLC, UPLC-MS/LCMS, NMR), including troubleshooting instrument and method issues.
• At least a working understanding of the other discipline, and a willingness to build hands-on skills across both.
• Able to work as part of a diverse, closely coordinated team, and to support and guide others.
• Ability to follow defined procedures accurately and maintain focus, pace and attention to detail during repetitive tasks.
• Strong oral and written communication (fluent in English), with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Good numeracy and literacy, with a consistent commitment to quality, safety and data integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Suitable professional qualifications.
• Prior leadership experience, including mentoring or developing team members.
• Experience running and maintaining Flash and Prep-HPLC systems, and using rotary evaporators.
• Experience with UPLC-MS/LCMS and/or NMR systems.
• Experience with advanced purification techniques such as SFC, recrystallisation or solid-phase extraction.
• Experience with electronic tools such as Electronic Laboratory Notebooks or MES.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook.
• Enthusiasm to push automation approaches in chemistry, with an inquisitive attitude and eagerness to improve the workplace.

Shift Pattern

This is a fixed-shift role: you will work within core hours, Monday to Friday.

UK Right to Work

Please note that the company is unable to sponsor visas for this role.

Location

This role will be based at the Advanced Research Centre, Glasgow, 11 Chapel Ln, Glasgow G11 6EW.

Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 11 Chapel Lane, G11 6EW