PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST – UK | CONTRACT

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Scientist to join a pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or CDMO environment on a contract basis.

This is a hands-on, senior technical role for a scientist who can lead experimental work independently, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the scientific strategy of ongoing drug substance, drug product or analytical programmes.

Contract: [6–12 months] with likely extension

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Design, execute and interpret complex experiments in line with project timelines and scientific objectives.
• Lead technical work-streams within analytical method development/validation, process development, formulation, or equivalent.
• Author and review technical reports, protocols, SOPs and regulatory documentation, including CMC sections and method validation reports.
• Provide scientific and technical mentorship to junior and associate scientists.
• Troubleshoot experimental and instrumentation issues, applying root-cause analysis to resolve technical problems.
• Ensure laboratory work is conducted in compliance with GMP/GLP, health & safety, and internal quality systems.
• Present data and findings at internal project meetings, technical review boards and, where required, to clients or regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory processes, methods and ways of working.
• Support tech transfer activities between development and manufacturing, or between sites.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready laboratory documentation and data integrity in line with ALCOA+ principles.