DSTL Fort Halstead to close

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has confirmed that following a review of operations, they will be exiting the Fort Halstead site (nr Sevenoaks) over the next 5 years.

The 840 staff – mainly technical professionals – will be offered the chance to relocate to either Portsdown West (nr Portsmouth) or Porton Down (nr Salisbury). As all capability will be maintained, Security Sciences and Detection are to move to Porton Down (670 staff), and Land Battlespace Systems to Portsdown West (170 staff).

As the local media have indicated, this strikes another blow to the Kent economy following the announcement in February that Pfizer are to exit the Sandwich site, with the loss of up to 2400 employees.

DSTL was covered in a series of articles on State-Sponsored Research here in March, when they were advertising chemist roles in Porton Down, but the 10 vacancies they currently have on their careers site are unlikely to be of interest.

17th June: Job Roll – Chemical-free and the rest

A graduate position has opened up for a trainee assistant editor at Expert Reviews, based in N London. No previous editorial experience necessary as full training provided.

The RSC is looking for a regional coordinator (East of England), based out of Cambridge. The successful applicant will form a network of contacts in schools, universities and industry; engage teachers and others on the facilities/resources offered by the RSC; and organise local RSC education events. For what sounds like a fulfilling role, an understanding of customer requirements, and of UK HE and related government requirements is needed. £30-33k.

Two highly-published, PhD-qualified chemists have the opportunity to become lecturers in experimental chemistry at University College London. Teaching at under- and postgraduate level, leading an externally funded research programme, and establishing industry links – the role pays £36-39k or £40-47k, depending on experience.

A biotech start-up in Cambridge seeks a senior scientist with experience in the materials/medical devices/in-vitro diagnostics sector. The role will involve developing and characterising novel optical grating based sensors. If – like LabMonkey – you have no idea what this means, this review article (PDF) may offer some explanation. Possibly.

16th June: Job Roll – Pilot to Plant

Xtratherm – a manufacturer of insulation foams – are looking for a process / chemical technologist to work in their plants in the UK and Ireland. The role description is incredibly varied, with duties from ensuring quality and using continuous improvement techniques on plant, to product development, conducting trials and leading a team of operators.

A manufacturing chemist position is available on the Novartis graduate programme. Lasting 2.5 years, with the first 60% in Lincolnshire, this will train the successful candidate up to the role of process manager. MSc or PhD required, 2^nd/3^rd language an advantage. £28-32k (!)

A Suffolk-based biotech is looking for an experienced pilot plant chemist to perform process optimisation and manufacture drug products. Working shifts; £27-38k plus weekend shift premium.

A plant chemist is required in N Ireland to be responsible for process scale-up. Relevant experience required, including leading process development projects.

15th June: Job Roll - Round Bottom Flasks

Eli Lilly are looking for several associate chemists to work in medicinal chemistry at their site in Surrey. PhD or degree with some industrial experience required.

Two companies in the Galapagos Group have a variety of positions open:

Argenta Discovery in Harlow are recruiting a number of temporary and permanent medicinal and synthetic chemists for applicants with at least 3 years experience. They’re also recruiting for biologists, ADME/PK scientists and team leaders.

BioFocus (near Cambridge) are similarly looking for medicinal and synthetic chemists, but at recent graduate level, preferably with some industrial experience. They also want ADME/PK scientists; a senior computational chemist and have other senior positions advertised.

An inorganic development chemist with industrial experience in surface/colloid chemistry and rheology is sought after in the North West by a speciality chemicals company. £31k.

6th June : Job Roll for the North

A catalyst chemist is required to work on homo- and heterogeneous catalysis development in Teeside (NE). R&D activities will include use of mini plants and GC among other techniques. Experience of high pressure experimental eqpt or catalyst development required. £23-35k, with occasional international travel for commissioning work.

Speciality chemical company Lubrizol is seeking an experimental chemist in W Yorkshire. This entry-level role will involve developing new chemical processes to manufacture hyperdispersants, and taking these to plant scale. £21.5-24k.

A company specialising in CO2 emission capture from gas streams – also based in Yorkshire – are looking for an environmental chemist (to £30k) and an engineer (to £45k). The former will support development up to implementation on pilot scale; and research alternative CO2 capture processes - requires PhD, preferably with experience using gases, gas-liquid interfaces and mechanistic studies. The engineer role will design, develop and project manage a pre-pilot scale rig and conduct other research – requires extensive experience in design, construction and operation of gas separation process technologies, project management experience and more.

Finally, a synthetic organic chemist is required in the North West to develop synthetic routes and synthesise intermediates (g to kg scale) MSc/PhD and lab experience required. £20-25k.

5th June: Job Roll for the South

Internet publisher SelectScience continues to have a swathe of positions open at their offices near Bristol, including for staff writers. Their website lists editorial assistant, editors/senior editors, commissioning editor and production assistant among the other roles available.

Vertex are hiring research associates to work in medicinal chemistry in Abingdon, Oxon. BSc/MChem and synthetic organic experience working on parallel projects are required. No salary specified, but 28 days holiday and a range of benefits available.

Also in Abingdon is a job for a senior chemist/materials scientist to work at a rapidly growing nanotechnology coating company .You will be carrying out research into a novel water and oil impermeable membrane and other applications. Experience in nanoscience, surface analysis, project management and leadership are essential; as are a PhD or good 2:1/1^st degree. Salary up to £50k.

A technology and product development company in Cambridgeshire are looking for an inorganic chemist with experience in some of the following: transition metal & lanthanide chemistry, catalyst and ligand design, fluorescence chemistry and crystallography. You will be developing new ideas and technology, working mainly in the Medicinal and Consumer Products Sectors. £25-45k.

Random job of the week: Toy testing lab manager. Get paid £30k to do exactly what you’d think. Team management, leadership and some QA experience required – based in the South East.