Lead Formulation and Analytical Scientist

  • VRS-UK
  • Sandwich, Kent
  • Jun 18, 2026
Full time Healthcare & Medical

Job Description

Are you an experienced pharmaceutical scientist with expertise spanning both formulation and analytical development? Do you enjoy leading people, driving projects forward, and building scientific capability within a growing organisation?

This is a key leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape and develop formulation capabilities whilst leading a small team and contributing to the future direction of the site. Working within a collaborative and highly technical environment, you'll combine hands-on scientific expertise with leadership responsibilities, supporting a range of pharmaceutical development projects with a particular focus on solid dosage formulations.

About the role

  • Lead and develop the site's analytical and formulation capabilities
  • Manage and mentor a small team of scientists, initially comprising three direct reports
  • Drive formulation development activities for solid dosage forms, including areas such as blending, granulation, tableting and encapsulation
  • Provide analytical support and oversight across development programmes, utilising techniques such as chromatography and material characterisation
  • Work closely with multidisciplinary project teams to deliver scientific objectives and client requirements
  • Contribute to strategic planning and help shape the future growth of the function
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives and promote scientific excellence across the team

About You

  • Degree qualified in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related scientific discipline
  • At least 5 years' experience within the pharmaceutical industry
  • Strong background spanning both formulation and analytical development
  • Hands-on experience of solid dosage form development and manufacturing processes
  • Demonstrable leadership or people management experience
  • Commercially aware and motivated by building capability, improving processes and driving results
  • Experience gained within a pharmaceutical company, CRO or CDMO environment would be highly advantageous
  • Knowledge of GMP environments would be beneficial

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious scientist who enjoys combining technical expertise with leadership responsibilities. You'll join a close-knit team where your contribution will have genuine visibility and impact, helping to shape both the function and the wider future direction of the site.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence strategy, develop people and build scientific capability whilst remaining close to the science, we'd be delighted to hear from you.