Principal Analytical Scientist

Our client, a global pharmaceutical company, is seeking a talented Principal Analytical Scientist to join our dedicated team at our state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories in Kent.

In this exciting role, you will collaborate with experienced process chemists and cross-functional project teams, applying innovative analytical technologies to support the drug development goals of our clients. Your expertise will help drive high-quality analytical research programmes, ensuring robust, accurate, and timely delivery of data.

The Role

We are looking for a highly skilled Principal Analytical Scientist to lead analytical development and validation projects. You will design, validate, and optimise advanced analytical methods to support drug development, regulatory submissions, and technical troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for analytical method development and validation, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines (GMP, ICH, EMA, FDA) where required

• Design, develop, validate and optimise analytical methods including HPLC, GC, LC/MS and UPLC.

• Provide expert interpretation of analytical data, identifying trends and anomalies, troubleshooting issues, and delivering clear, actionable insights

• Lead and take ownership of authoring and reviewing analytical procedures, protocols, validation reports, method transfers, and SOPs

• Support QC initiatives and contribute to regulatory submission documentation

• Independently compile, review and present data to internal colleagues and external clients

• Contribute positively to scientific excellence and team culture

Skills and experience:

The Principal Analytical Scientist will be passionate about science, motivated by high standards, and excited to share and expand your expertise within a collaborative environment.

• B.Sc. (or higher) in Chemistry or a related discipline, plus demonstrable experience and excellence in analytical chemistry within the pharmaceutical sector or similar.

• Hands-on proficiency with UPLC, HPLC, LC/MS and GC. You will also have experience of stability studies and forced degradation.

• Strong knowledge of analytical method development and validation

• Critical thinking and data analysis

• Experience working within regulated environments and understanding of ICH, EMA and FDA guidelines