Senior Scientist

Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life sciences, packaging, materials, components, consumer, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.

The Medical Device Testing (MDT) division was established to offer focused support to the needs of the innovative and thriving medical device and combination drug product industries. Over the past two years, both the UK and US teams have invested heavily in additional Scientists and new instrumentation to increase capacity and broaden the expertise for client support with world-class capabilities.

Due to this increased investment and continued success, the Medical Device Testing division is looking to recruit a Senior Scientist to join their Department.

The objective of this role is to work in compliance with the quality management system and provide technical expertise in the field of physical testing on medical products and devices, ensuring that internal and external customers receive an effective and appropriate service to their needs. It will combine your technical expertise, commercial acumen, and excellent communication skills to prepare and deliver innovative work package scope and pricing proposals. Part of the role will also be undertaking testing and reporting activities on multiple simultaneous work programmes and ensuring that these programmes are delivered on time and within budget. The Senior Scientist will also assist the laboratory supervisor to provide training and mentoring to laboratory staff to assure the development of department capability.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Communicates and provides outstanding customer service to clients.
• Seeks to understand the clients’ needs and objectives.
• Combines technical expertise with commercial acumen and excellent communications to prepare and deliver innovative work package scope and pricing proposals.
• Controls and organises client materials and documents.
• Develops a communication schedule with clients during the test programme.
• Generates income through direct contribution and application of scientific skills in the delivery of client paid projects.
• Provides technical leadership and motivation to the Medical Physical Testing delivery team, ensuring programmes of work are completed safely, on time, on budget, and the team achieves a high level of efficient utilisation.
• Ensures that work is undertaken and reported to the highest standard and in compliance with the quality management system.
• Takes a proactive role in the validation and approval of equipment, test methods, and operating procedures that assure compliance with regulatory requirements and client protocols.
• Ensures that laboratory resources are calibrated and maintained to an optimum level.
• Assists the Department Management in the planning and delivery of appropriate training programmes that assure that staff are appropriately trained and approved to undertake activities.
• Continually identifies opportunities for revenue and profit growth in the field of materials and materials testing, driving all necessary actions to realise growth in line with company objectives.
• Provides information to Department Leadership for the preparation of monthly reports on laboratory activity.
• Identifies and leads the implementation of continuous improvements initiatives.
• Project manages strategic projects and assignments as required by management.
• Actively participates in the execution of marketing and sales events that assist the Department Leadership to drive business growth.

The Ideal Candidate

• Have a degree in Science or Engineering, preferably Chemistry/Forensic Science/Chemical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering. Equivalent experience within a relevant industry will also be welcome to apply.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of working within a testing laboratory ideally following GLP and GMP standards.
• Demonstrated scientific knowledge and experience in the physical testing of products or materials.
• Demonstrated project management techniques and experience of managing multiple projects through to completion.
• Experience of preparing method validation and statistical data analysis.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness in a previous role.
• Report writing skills appropriate to role level in technical English.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Flexible, co-operative approach to achieving goals.
• Clear understanding of great customer service and acts with confidence when interacting with clients.
• Ability to work autonomously on a day-to-day basis to achieve role KPIs.

This is an exciting time to join the Medical Device Testing department which has seen year-on-year growth, allowing for greater opportunities to develop your experience and career progression.

As a global employer, we offer a generous benefits package to all our employees incorporating private healthcare, pension, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays per annum as well as flexible working hours which include an early finish on Fridays.

Smithers MDT Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.