Job Vacancies

Multiple permanent positions – full time, 37.5 hours – site basedKey Organics is a leading provider of high-quality chemical products and contract chemistry services to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical industries. Founded in 1986 and now marking our 40th anniversary, we operate an ISO 9001:2015 certified site at Camelford in North Cornwall, combining our BIONET compound catalogue with custom synthesis, process development, scale-up manufacture and analytical services.We are engaged in process development, multi-kilo manufacture and critical minerals projects for our Global customers. To deliver them we are expanding our chemistry team and are recruiting on both the graduate and PhD routes. These are permanent roles with genuine scope to shape new capability rather than step into an existing rota.The rolesChemist / Senior Chemist – graduate routeA good honours degree or MSc in chemistry, with a minimum of five years’ hands-on experience in a laboratory-based manufacturing or industrial environment. You will run your own synthetic and process chemistry to time and budget, with the depth of practical experience to troubleshoot and to take from bench through scale-up. You will work as part of an integrated team, often with our customers directly.Senior Chemist / Project Chemist – PhD routeA PhD in organic, process or inorganic chemistry, supported by post-doctoral or, preferably, industrial experience. Alongside hands-on chemistry you will provide route design and scientific input into new programmes, present data to clients and funders, and supervise and develop less experienced chemists.Applicants with process development, scale-up or manufacturing experience will be at an advantage for both routes. We are equally interested in candidates with hydrometallurgical, extraction or inorganic process experience for our critical minerals programmes.What you will be doing

• Delivering custom synthesis, contract research and process development projects for international clients.
• Developing and optimising scalable processes, taking chemistry from bench through to multi-kilo manufacture in our scale-up facility.
• Designing routes, interpreting analytical data and driving projects to a defined technical and commercial outcome.
• Contributing to our critical minerals and new product development programmes.
• Maintaining full experimental records, including cost analysis and delivery against project plans and budgets.
• Working at all times in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, our quality management system and company procedures.

What we are looking forEssential

• Degree or PhD in chemistry, with relevant industrial experience set out above.
• Sound practical knowledge of interpreting HPLC, GC, MS and NMR data.
• Demonstrable ability to work with minimal supervision and to manage several projects with competing priorities.
• Confidence communicating directly with clients – written reports, teleconferences and face-to-face updates.
• Collaborative, proactive and safety-conscious, with sound use of literature searching and reporting software (for example Reaxys and electronic lab notebooks).

Desirable

• Experience of crystallisation studies and interpretation of DSC data.
• Experience of working to high quality systems, ICH Q7 guidelines or within a GMP plant.
• Experience of leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange or ICP-OES analysis.
• Experience of training and supervising junior chemists.

What we offerA competitive salary, a 37.5 hour week on a flexitime system, pension, life assurance, group income protection, a cycle to work scheme and access to a mental health support programme. You would also be joining an owner-managed, independent business in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with the North Cornwall coast a few minutes away.Right to workApplicants must be currently authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.How to applyPlease email a covering letter and CV, stating which route you are applying for, to [email protected]. Closing date: 1st September 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we reserve the right to close the vacancies early.Key Organics Limited is an equal opportunities employer and appoints on merit. All applications are treated in confidence.

Camelford, Cornwall.£ CompetitiveKey Organics is a leading UK chemistry CRO with over 40 years' continuous operation and the home of the BIONET compound catalogue. We're growing and we need a first-class analyst to grow with us.You'll support our in-house chemistry teams and run our external analytical services business, delivering a consistent, reliable, high-quality service and working with an accredited ISO 9001 environment. It's a hands-on, high-impact role in a quality-assured environment where your work is seen and valued.What you'll do

• Deliver analytical support to our chemists, projects and manage our external analytical services business.
• Work within an experienced team of scientists, delivering exceptional results for our customers.
• Operate, troubleshoot and maintain instrumentation, with method development and validation under our ISO 9001 framework.

What you'll bring

• A degree (BSc or MChem) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline; a higher degree (MSc or PhD) is strongly preferred.
• At least five years' post-qualification experience in an analytical or contract chemistry environment.
• Proven proficiency in NMR, LCMS, GC, and HPLC instrumentation, troubleshooting, maintenance and data interpretation.
• A thorough understanding of ISO 9001 or GLP quality documentation.
• The drive to work under minimal supervision, a can-do attitude, and excellent communication and people skills.
• Sharp organisation, strong attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple projects at once.

What we offer

• Competitive salary, matched to your qualifications and experience.
• Contributory pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement.
• A flexitime system.
• Genuinely diverse chemistry and a stable, long-established company in an exciting period of growth.

 Interested? Send a covering letter and current CV to [email protected]. NO AGENCIES PLEASE