We are an award-winning, fast-growing and agile innovation partner with a proven track record in developing economically and environmentally sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing processes for global companies of all sizes.
Every day, we leverage our fully integrated process chemistry, analytical development, pre-formulation and material science teams along with our state-of-the-art facilities and refined workflows to deliver perfect-for-purpose solutions that balance timelines and internal resources with maximum flexibility.
Due to strong demand and significant further investment, CatSci is expanding its capabilities in the oligonucleotide space. Our investment will further accelerate the development and manufacture of these complex molecules. We are now looking to appoint a Team Leader to lead our oligonucleotide chemistry team to deliver excellent technical expertise and quality for our customers.
Location: Cardiff, UK
Contract: Permanent
Compensation: (Salary according to banding) + 25 days holidays, increasing with service + 2 charity days + private healthcare + pension scheme + life cover + other company benefits
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Reporting directly to a senior manager, your responsibilities will include:
- Leading and working as a part of the Oligonucleotide Team on amidite chemistry (phosphorus) projects and oligonucleotide synthesis.
- Instilling a sense of purpose; setting clear direction and boundaries; providing the space for the team to be at their best.
- Leading by example, delivering technical excellence and supporting teams’ personal and technical development according to CatSci values and capability framework.
- Establishing new technology for oligonucleotides
- Delivering chemistry programmes to cost, quality and time demands
- Liaising with clients at technical meetings, and compiling reports to convey results and offer conclusions
- Bringing scientific excellence to the research and development of new processes for our clients
- Recruitment and induction of new team members (according to CatSci policies and strategies, supported by the People Team).
- Advocating for and creating opportunities for the team using knowledge of CatSci objectives
- Ensuring Team resources, skill sets, and capabilities meet current customer needs with clear plans for the future
- Demonstrating excellent awareness of self, impact on others and supporting others with an active and open approach to personal development.
Knowledge and Skills
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in chemistry (or related subject) and, ideally, experience in industry or post-doctoral studies
- Practical understanding of amidite chemistry
- Experience in oligonucleotide synthesis
- Detailed understanding of organic synthesis and flow chemistry
- Expert ability to give and receive coaching and performance feedback.
- Excellent task management and communication skills
- Ability to adapt to new environments and lead and inspire change
- Ability to lead by influence and drive consensus as well as lead and motivate cross-functional teams
- Some experience, or genuine interest, in the development and scale-up of chemical processes to large-scale lab and pilot processes
- Expertise in the use of practical synthetic chemistry techniques
- Excellent task management and communication skills, and proficiency in the use of appropriate information technology
- The ability to work both independently and collaboratively to solve demanding problems
Abbreviated person specification
- Self-motivated and results-oriented with a clear focus on delivery of demanding project objectives
- Enthusiastic and willing to learn; keen for challenging new experiences and scientific accountability
- Good interpersonal skills which foster collaborative team-working in order to achieve overall goals
- Good communicator, using written and verbal media; able to advocate and justify own opinion, but equally able to take on board differing opinions and work collaboratively
- Natural leadership ability is desirable, although formal line management capability is not initially required