QA & QC Chemist

Location: Lambeth, South West London (laboratory-based / in-person role)

Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £28,000–£32,000 gross per year (depending on experience)

Metalchemy is a UK-based SME developing and manufacturing sustainable chemical products for use in cosmetics, active packaging, healthcare, and advanced materials applications.

We specialise in patented, plant-based chemical processes designed to be scalable, commercially viable, and environmentally responsible. Our mission is to transform innovative science into reliable products, manufacturing processes, and customer outcomes that create meaningful environmental and commercial impact.

As a science‑led business operating across research, manufacturing, product development, and commercial deployment, quality, traceability, and scientific integrity are fundamental to everything we do. We believe robust systems, reproducible science, and operational excellence are essential for successfully translating innovation into products that customers can trust.

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented QA & QC Chemist to take ownership of quality assurance, quality control, traceability, and quality systems activities across the business. This role combines laboratory quality assurance, quality control, technical review, auditing, method validation, traceability, risk management, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with laboratory staff and the Laboratory Manager to independently verify laboratory activities, investigate quality issues, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and ensure scientific outputs are supported by robust evidence and effective quality controls.

You will be responsible for operating and continually improving Metalchemy's Quality Management System while independently verifying laboratory outputs through QC testing, audits, investigations, validation studies, and technical review.

This is not a purely administrative role. The successful candidate will actively participate in laboratory activities, quality investigations, equipment compliance, method validation, customer-facing quality review, and preparation for future certification and accreditation activities including ISO 17025 and B Corp.

This position offers significant responsibility and ownership with the opportunity to develop into future Quality Systems, Laboratory Operations, Technical Compliance, or QA Leadership roles as the company grows.

• Own the day-to-day operation and continual improvement of Metalchemy's Quality Management System (ISO 9001).
• Ensure quality systems, procedures, records, and controls are implemented, maintained, and actively used across laboratory and business operations.
• Lead internal audits, NCRs, CAPAs, training and competency systems, supplier quality programmes, risk assessments, COSHH reviews, and preparation for external audits and future certifications including ISO 17025 and B Corp.
• Monitor quality performance, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions and system improvements.
• Promote understanding, adoption, and consistent application of Metalchemy's Quality Policy, Quality Management System, and quality objectives across laboratory and business operation

• Perform independent QC testing, verification studies, repeat analyses, validation experiments, and laboratory spot‑checks.
• Independently assess laboratory data, methods, calculations, technical conclusions, and customer-facing outputs.
• Investigate quality issues, challenge unsupported conclusions, and ensure scientific outputs are reproducible, traceable, and supported by robust evidence.
• Support development, validation, transfer, and continual improvement of analytical methods, QC procedures, and quality controls.
• Review and provide independent quality input on experimental plans, testing protocols, risk assessments, study designs, validation plans, acceptance criteria, and customer-facing project work prior to final Laboratory Manager approval.

• Maintain oversight…