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Senior Analytical Scientist

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Senior Analytical Scientist
Job title: Senior Analytical Scientist Department: Global Technical Innovation Group (GTIG) Location: Hamble, UK Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 37.5 hours per week
A brighter future awaits you
CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It’s more than making contact lenses, it’s about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We’re all about bright futures – for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.
Scope:
To manage and provide technical expertise for analytical projects within Material Science team and provide analytical expertise for manufacturing projects. This will include development and validation of analytical test methods, performing testing, generating formal reports, and providing SME knowledge and training to other laboratory personnel. Responsible for planning project work within the Material Science laboratory and communicating the progress with management and CVI sites.
Job Summary:
Material Science Team within Global Technical Innovation Group (GTIG) consist of Chemists and Analytical Scientist mastering the Science of our Materials and their associated interactions and providing Expert Services to sustain and improve performance as well as supporting the growth of the business by qualifying new material sources and supporting suppliers with scale up projects.
This role is a permanent position within the Material Science analytical team. The role will involve development and validation of GC and GC-MS, HPLC and LC-MS test methods for the analysis of organic and silicone containing materials (predominantly monomers and macromers) as well as performing analytical testing to support the Material Science group and GTIG or manufacturing projects. Thorough knowledge and experience in LC (Liquid chromatography) and GC (gas chromatography) is required with additionally GC-MS and LC-MS experience being essential for the role.
The job holder will be instrumental in ensuring compliance to ISO17025. The job holder will also assist with the planning of equipment availability and management of workload within the analytical laboratory.
The role will involve analytical report writing to ensure that projects are delivered and reported in compliance to agreed technical and quality standards.
The job holder will also be expected to be a SME or leader in program and project activities assigned to Material Science Group. The role will involve both effective cross site communication and working within cross functional teams including interaction with other sites, to ensure that methods are standardised (where necessary) across the company.
The job holder will be expected to work independently or as part of the team managing priorities. A flexible attitude is also key with the job holder being willing to get involved in other research and development (for example leading process development trials) as required by the needs of the business.
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The job holder will be expected to train other team members of the Material Science team and provide guidance and leadership when required.
Essential Functions & Accountabilities:
- Develop and validate analytical methods to regulatory standards.
- Report status of work to management on a regular basis.
- Write technical reports that meet regulatory standards.
- Present work at meetings both internal and external to the department.
- Provide training to other Material Science team members and other analytical laboratories within CooperVision.
- Lead or support analytical projects within Science and Sustainability team.
- Lead process investigation and improvement work.
- Carry out trials and investigations in support of material and process development activities.
- Establish and maintain relationships with other departments outside of Science and Sustainability.
- Ensure that work complies with business quality systems. Ensure all documentation is in place and up to date.
- Lead continuous improvement in own work area.
- Ensure that Health and Safety requirements are always met and never compromised.
- Ensure that technical knowledge remains at the cutting edge of their discipline.
Travel Requirements
The role may involve some travel to other CooperVision sites within the UK (2%). Other domestic travel may be required for training (2%). It might also require travel outside of the UK (2%).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- MSc. and/or PhD preferred.
- Degree minimum (Chemistry or related essential) with 7-10 yrs + experience in lieu of advanced degree qualification.
- Thorough knowledge and experience in LC (Liquid chromatography) and GC (gas chromatography).
- High level experience with GC-MS and LC-MS techniques.
- Knowledge of polymer characterisation preferred.
- Analytical report writing to meet regulatory standards.
- Experience of Good Laboratory Practice or working in a UKAS accredited lab (or equivalent).
- Good technical leadership and experience mentoring more junior team members.
- Good computer skills.
- Experience of method development and validation to FDA (or equivalent) standards.
- Excellent team working.
- Organised: Proven ability to manage workload effectively and plan accordingly.
- Self-directed.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise with colleagues and suppliers in multiple locations.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure.


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Work Environment
- The job function is based in the UK GTIG Analytical Lab in Southampton.
- The role will primarily be office and laboratory based, with some requirement to work in clean rooms and manufacturing areas.
- Flexibility in working hours is expected with core hours between 10am and 3pm. The role is an exempt salaried position and does not pay overtime.
- The role will require the individual to come into contact with hazardous materials or working environments. The individual will be required to wear/use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task in hand outlined in SOP’s including items such as lab coat, eye protection and gloves. The job requires the handling of materials that come under COSHH guidelines.
- Prolonged sitting in front of a computer.
Experience and Education
- Previous experience working within an analytical laboratory (or similar environment) for approximately 3 - 5 years minimum.
- Proven working knowledge of GLP is essential with experience of working to FDA standards (or equivalent).
- Possess a high level of experience working with GC and HPLC, method development and validation prior to applying for the vacancy. Experience with LC-MS and/or GC-MS also essential.
- MSc. and/or PhD preferred.
- Degree minimum (Chemistry or related essential) with 7-10 yrs + experience in lieu of advanced degree qualification.
What we offer:
You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!
We are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we’ll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.
We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision
What you can expect:
As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success.
If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today! All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.
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