Downstream Process Development & Analytical Chemist

Position: Downstream Process Development & Analytical Chemist
Downstream Process Development & Analytical Chemist I Oxford I £40k - £50k (dependent on experience)

Are you an experienced analytical chemist with expertise in HPLC and a passion for developing scalable chemical purification processes? We're recruiting for a Downstream Process Development & Analytical Chemist to join an innovative biotechnology business developing sustainable solutions for the chemical manufacturing industry. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of downstream process development and reaction analytics, using your expertise to optimise chemical manufacturing processes, troubleshoot analytical challenges and support the development of cutting-edge biocatalytic technologies.

The Role

This is a hands-on laboratory role where you'll become the subject matter expert for HPLC, taking ownership of method development, troubleshooting, instrument maintenance and routine analysis. Alongside this, you'll lead the development of downstream processing (DSP) strategies for small molecule chemical products produced through biomanufacturing. This role focuses on chemical purification and process development rather than protein purification, making it ideal for someone with experience in industrial chemistry or chemical process development.

Working closely with chemists and engineers, you'll generate robust analytical data, develop scalable purification processes and help translate laboratory research into commercially viable manufacturing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the HPLC specialist, leading method development, troubleshooting, routine analysis, calibration and instrument maintenance.

Develop and validate analytical methods using HPLC, alongside techniques such as NMR and UV-Vis.

Design and optimise downstream processing routes for chemical products generated through biocatalytic manufacturing.

Develop scalable purification processes including extraction, solvent exchange, crystallisation and polishing.

Monitor reaction performance, conversion, selectivity, yield and impurity profiles.

Build robust analytical workflows and maintain high standards of data quality, traceability and reporting.

Investigate analytical and process issues, identifying root causes and implementing improvements.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support R&D projects and customer programmes while maintaining safe laboratory practices.

About You

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

A degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.

At least three years' industrial experience in analytical chemistry.

Extensive hands-on experience with HPLC, including method development, troubleshooting, maintenance and routine operation.

Experience supporting reaction monitoring and analysing complex chemical reaction mixtures.

Practical experience in downstream processing and purification of small molecule chemicals, ideally within biomanufacturing, chemical manufacturing or process chemistry environments.

An understanding that downstream processing in this role relates to chemical manufacturing rather than protein purification.

Excellent problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills.

Apply

If you're looking to apply your HPLC expertise and downstream processing experience in an innovative organisation developing sustainable technologies for the chemical manufacturing sector, we'd love to hear from you.

Katie Pink at Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability is the retained recruitment partner for all roles ase direct any queries to Katie only