QC Associate Scientist — Physical / Analytical Testing
Posted 1 week ago by Oxford Global Resources
£20 Per hour
Undetermined
Onsite
Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The QC Associate Scientist in Physical/Analytical Testing is responsible for conducting quality control tests on raw materials, intermediates, and finished products to ensure compliance with pharmacopeial and internal specifications. This role is crucial for generating accurate data that supports the release of safe and compliant products. The position requires hands-on training and involves operating various laboratory instruments while adhering to quality systems and safety policies. The scientist will also assist in investigations and mentor junior staff as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform routine and non-routine physical/analytical tests according to approved methods and SOPs.
- Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation, including pH meters, turbidimeters, and spectrophotometers.
- Perform routine instrument calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance.
- Record results in LIMS/SAP QM and ensure timely data entry and document control.
- Assist with investigations, including OOS/OOT reports and root-cause analysis.
- Maintain cleanliness and safety in the testing area, following GMP and health & safety policies.
- Participate in daily tier meetings and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Train and mentor apprentices/junior technicians as required.
Key Skills:
- Degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Analytical Science, or related discipline.
- Previous experience in a QC laboratory performing physical/analytical testing.
- Experience using LIMS, SAP QM, or other quality data systems.
- Hands-on instrument experience and strong lab technique.
- High attention to detail and GMP documentation practice.
- Strong communication and collaborative skills.
- Basic troubleshooting and instrument care.
Salary (Rate): £20.07/hr
City: Basingstoke
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: on-site
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
QC Associate Scientist — Physical / Analytical Testing (Pharma / Diagnostics) for Top Leading Diagnostics Company
Business Group/Division: Quality Control — Specialty Diagnostics / Pharma-supporting lab
Training schedule: On-site onboarding + hands-on instrument training (4–8 weeks)
Position summary
The QC Associate Scientist (Physical / Analytical Testing) performs physical and analytical quality control testing on raw materials, intermediates and finished products to ensure they meet defined pharmacopeial and internal quality specifications. The role supports the company mission to deliver safe, compliant products by generating accurate, traceable data for release decisions.
Key responsibilities
- Perform routine and non-routine physical/analytical tests according to approved methods and SOPs, including but not limited to: pH , conductivity , refractive index , density , viscosity , surface tension
- Clarity / turbidity / particulate inspection (visual & instrument)
- Colour measurement (photometric / spectrophotometry / colourimeters)
- Boiling/flash point and other basic thermal checks (where applicable)
- Mass/volume checks , residual moisture, and dissolution/solubility basic assays
- Sample preparation, aliquoting and conditioning for analysis (including filtration, dilution, degassing) with full traceability
- Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation: pH meters, turbidimeters, spectrophotometers, viscometers, density meters, conductivity meters, refractometers, ovens, analytical balances, pipettes, water baths, and basic thermal apparatus
- Perform routine instrument calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance; raise deviations for out-of-specification (OOS) or out-of-trend (OOT) results
- Record results in LIMS / SAP QM (or local equivalents) and ensure timely data entry and document control
- Assist with investigations: complete OOS / OOT reports, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions as directed
- Maintain cleanliness, consumable replenishment, waste segregation and safety in the testing area
- Follow laboratory quality systems, GMP, and health & safety policies at all times
- Participate in daily tier meetings, KPI tracking and continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/PPI)
- Train and mentor apprentices / junior technicians as required
Experience, skills & abilities required
Education
Degree or equivalent (Level 6) in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Analytical Science, Chemical Engineering or related scientific discipline. Candidates finishing studies will be considered.
Experience
Previous experience in a QC laboratory performing physical/analytical testing (pharma, food, diagnostics, coatings or chemical industry preferred)
Experience using LIMS, SAP QM or other quality data systems desirable
Hands-on instrument experience (listed above) and strong lab technique (accurate pipetting, weighing, basic titration)
Top skills
Experience in physical/analytical testing in a lab environment
Proficiency with pH, turbidity/clarity, colour, viscosity and density measurements
High attention to detail and GMP documentation practice
Strong communication and collaborative skills
Basic troubleshooting and instrument care