Analytical Chemist

Position: Analytical Chemist, Quality Control

Location: Cardiff

Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services. We’re proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to biologics and gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers. To learn more, visit

About the Role

Pharmaron is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Analytical Chemist to join the Quality Control team at our Cardiff site. This is a great opportunity for a chemistry graduate looking to start their career in an industrial lab, as well as for someone with some early analytical experience.

As a contract research organisation, we make compounds to order for clients around the world, and our QC team analyses each final product before it goes out. That means no two days are the same. Rather than running hundreds of identical samples, you’ll work on a constantly changing range of compounds, often switching between methods from one day to the next. If you enjoy variety and stay calm when priorities shift at short notice, you’ll fit right in.

You’ll join a friendly, easy-going team of seven analysts and senior analysts. After a structured training period, you’ll carry out final product analysis, mainly by HPLC, with the opportunity to develop your skills in mass spectrometry and NMR over time. Some of the compounds we handle are radiolabelled and full training will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out QC analysis of final products manufactured for our clients, mainly using HPLC
• Work mostly from supplied analytical methods, contributing to method development and troubleshooting when needed
• Interpret analytical results and explain them clearly to senior colleagues and internal teams, defending your findings where needed
• Keep detailed, accurate laboratory records that can be easily retrieved and reviewed
• Use and look after laboratory instruments carefully, following manufacturers’ specifications
• Complete work to agreed timelines, flagging early to your supervisor if deadlines look at risk
• Handle and dispose of waste strictly in line with documented procedures
• Make sure all work complies with safety regulations, company SOPs and the site’s quality standards (principally ISO9000)
• Support departmental and site audits as required
• Support your colleagues and volunteer where you can help the team meet its goals

Candidate Profile

• Degree in chemistry or a related discipline, such as biochemistry
• Good theoretical and practical understanding of analytical techniques, particularly HPLC
• Meticulous attention to detail in both lab work and written records
• Adaptable and calm under pressure, comfortable with last-minute changes and a varied workload
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to juggle tasks and meet deadlines
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Confident IT skills
• A team player with a positive, can‑do attitude, integrity and a willingness to learn

Desirable requirements

• A master’s degree (MChem or equivalent)
• Laboratory experience from an industrial placement year or a previous role, ideally in an organic analytical lab
• Exposure to mass spectrometry or NMR
• Experience of working with radioactive materials, for example during your degree
• Knowledge of quality standards such as ISO9000, GMP or GLP

Why Pharmaron?

This is an opportunity to join a small, supportive QC team in a genuinely varied role. Working on a constantly changing range of client compounds, you will build hands‑on experience in HPLC, grow your skills in mass spectroscopy and NMR, and learn to work safely with radiolabelled materials. As your experience develops, there will also be opportunities to get involved in method development and troubleshooting. It is an ideal role for someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in accurate, high-quality work and wants to build a strong foundation in analytical chemistry.

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