29th Feb Jobroll

Have experience in the pharmaceutical industry? Takeda Cambridge invites you to be a senior scientist working in medicinal chemistry. PhD and previous delivery of pre-clinical candidates desired.

Have experience in the pharmaceutical industry? Don’t be applying for this R&D chemist position in East Anglia. Your knowledge of reactive chemistry will “not be suitable for this role”, being as it involves process development and fractional distillation in the production of ingredients for food/flavour/fragrance/etc industries. Exposure to pilot plant, extraction technologies and project managements skills are, on the other hand, preferable.

Experience in personal or household care? With 2-3 years in formulation behind you and a good understanding of surfactant chemistry, there’s an opportunity to become a senior household chemist in Brixworth (Northants) (up to £30k).

No experience and just want to get away from it all? A degree in chemistry, flexibility and an ability to solve problems puts you in good stead to become an Antarctic atmosphere scientist (£21k+). The 18-month contract begins with training in Cambridge, followed by a year at the Halley or Rothera research stations. This could include studying the ozone hole, taking samples for studying pollution, or carrying out polar atmospheric chemistry research in the Clean Air Sector Lab.

27th Feb Jobroll

An eclectic start to the week, where a dual degree may come in useful:

Knowledge exchange officer (£37-44k) at the University of Oxford. Transfer technologies and expertise in physics to industry and academic disciplines. Degree, with research experience in preferably both industry and academia.

Chemical engineer/chemist (£40-45k) in the South East for a global company of unspecified sector. Analyse complex chemical and physical interactions, use statistical software, design experiments and write results up for reports/publication. MSc or PhD with relevant experience including publication record or successful implementation at pilot/commercial scale.

Scientist (Drugs) (£26-31k) at South Wales Police. Working in the new Regional Scientific Investigational Unit in Bridgend, examine exhibits from crime scenes related to suspected drug abuse. Experienced forensic scientists sought.

Site chemist for npower in Fife. Play a key role in the mobilisation and commissioning of a biomass plant, being responsible for operational chemistry and environmental compliance (EHS). Degree, good knowledge of power plant chemistry and a range of EHS regulations is required.

Graduate technical sales (OTE £30k+) covering the South. Sell and support urethane-formulated systems used for adhesives and coatings, including product demos and trials. One day per week at HQ, with most of time spent at customer sites. Graduate – preferably including subjects in polymer/materials/coatings – with commercial or sales experience.

21st February: JM Jobs Special – Part 2

After a slightly unanticipated break in ‘net access, here are a further selection of jobs still open at Johnson Matthey:

Two graduate scientists (£22.7-25.5k), to start a 2-year R&D development programme in October in the Process Technologies Division at Billingham (Teeside). After completing 3 placements in Product R&D, Technical Support and Manufacturing Support, the successful candidates join an R&D team for project work. Graduate or PhD with - or expecting - a 2:1 or above. Apply by 26^th Feb.

Speculative applications are welcomed for process development chemists, product development chemists, analytical and characterisation chemists and chemical engineers for opportunities that may arise throughout 2012 at the European Technology Centre based in Royston. Degree or PhD, with ability to undertake some international travel.

Two specific roles at Royston are open for a chemist in analytical development, and up to 6 materials scientists. The former will develop and validate analytical procedures for the quantification of metals, and requires a degree and working knowledge of ICP, statistics and best practices (inc ISO/IEC 17025). The latter will work on process improvement projects, production support and new product R&D in the Noble Metals Business Unit; and requires a 2:1 degree.

A speculative process operator role (12-month contract) is sought, to operate plant equipment in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and intermediates. While a degree is not typically required for this type of position, the perks of living in Edinburgh, working shifts (presumably with shift allowance), what looks like an excellent pension, subsidised canteen, discount gym membership, other local discounts, 28 days holiday and a free piece of fruit per day (!) make this a very attractive proposition.

Finally, for those taking their first step onto the chemistry career ladder:

A number of six-week summer placements are available at the Clitheroe (Lancs) site in various disciplines...

...and a 12-month assistant field engineer industrial placement (£15.5k) in Billingham is available for those studying a degree, starting in July. Using radioisotope techniques, the role includes conducting investigations on customer processes and equipment.

6th February: JM Jobs Special – Part 1

A ray of hope shines through the snowy skies this week, with speciality chemical company Johnson Matthey currently advertising a wide range of scientific jobs on their careers site. A significant proportion are based at the UK Technology Centre in Sonning Common (Berks) and European Technology Centre in Roysten (Herts), and cover everything from summer placements through to experienced and specialised hires.

Today’s selection are from the former site, where free lunch at the on-site restaurant comes as one of the perks.

A research scientist (£26.5-27k) to prepare, characterise and test homo- and heterogeneous catalysts for conversion of biomass to chemicals. Relevant PhD or degree + industrial experience required; autoclave experience advantageous.

A catalyst scientist (£26.5-27k) - initially on a 2 year contract - in the Platinum Group Metal division. Working on light hydrocarbon catalysis, including dehydrogenation, selective oxidation and steam reforming. Relevant PhD or degree + industrial experience required, with significant amount of experience synthesising, characterising and testing catalysts.

A technical officer – initially on a 1 year contract – to join the Platinum Group Metal Applications Group. Working on developing low temperature gas phase heterogenous catalysts for use in consumer applications. Good degree required, with experience in GC.

Two more specialised positions:

The Catalyst and Materials Group seeks a glass scientist on a 1 year contract to prepare glass frit compositions. PhD or equivalent, with relevant experience (!)

A research scientist in electrochemistry (£23-25k) initially on a 1 year contract to focus on catalyst, electrode and cell-design challenges related to electro-synthesis and fuel cell technology. First degree with knowledge of electrochemistry required.

More JM jobs coming up later in the week....

AstraZeneca Job Cuts

A year and a day after Pfizer announced the loss of thousands of R&D jobs in the UK, AstraZeneca today announced that they would be starting a new programme of restructuring which will impact around 7300 positions. Of these, 2200 will be in R&D – primarily from ending R&D at the Södertälje (Sweden) site, and closure of the Montreal (Canada) site. A further 1350 will be in Operations – which covers supply chain/manufacturing activities.

There are unofficial reports that while the majority of cuts are overseas, UK sites will not escape unscathed. The numbers suggested remain sizable – and official figures from the AZ press office will hopefully be published here shortly.

Most of the R&D restructure is being made in neuroscience – and AZ plan to create a “virtual” neuroscience unit of 40-50 scientists based in Boston (US) and Cambridge (UK). The latter location is mentioned in the press release as a neuroscience hub, and is where Pfizer established Neusentis last year to combine research in pain, sensory disorders and regenerative medicines.

Overall, the restructuring is expected to save $1.6bn/year. To increase shareholder value, AZ announced they would aim for net share repurchases of $4.5bn in 2012 – on top of the $5.6bn in 2011 – and the board has recommended an increase in dividend, increasing the full year dividend by 10%.

Good luck to everyone involved, and know that while this can be a difficult time, there are opportunities out there.

Finally, I'd recommend visiting Chemjobber, who blogs about chemistry news and job postings in the US. He’s also collating oral histories from those affected by chemical industry layoffs – these include advice regarding support, finances and job seeking experiences by real scientists that have been in the same position.