At Charles River, we are passionate about improving the quality of people’s lives. When you join our global family, you will help create healthier lives for millions of patients and their families.
Charles River employees are innovative thinkers, who are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. We will empower you with the resources you need to grow and develop in your career.
As a Charles River employee, you will be part of an industry-leading, customer-focused company at the forefront of drug development. Your skills will play a key role in bringing life-saving therapies to market faster through simpler, quicker, and more digitalized processes. Whether you are in lab operations, finance, IT, sales, or another area, when you work at Charles River, you will be the difference every day for patients across the globe.
Job Summary
The Chemistry Department at Charles River, Edinburgh is seeking a talented and flexible individual for a role as a Scientific Associate, initially offered on a 12 month temporary contract. In order to support our Agrochemical, Animal Health and Pharmaceutical Sponsors, the Chemistry department provides accurate quantification and elucidation of chemical structures. This is conducted as a key component of the full range of ADME, Crop Metabolism, Field & Veterinary Residue and Environmental Fate studies that we provide. The successful applicant will be primarily laboratory-based, supporting studies that involve analysis of drug, agrochemical and animal health compounds in complex matrices. These projects require the application of selective extraction methods followed by chromatographic-mass spectrometry techniques such as LC MSMS, LC-high resolution-MS, GC-MS(MS), SFC-MSMS and may include radio-chromatographic techniques. You may also support studies which involve the purification/isolation of compounds using (semi-) prep scale flash chromatography. Accurate data recording is imperative to ensure compliance with company and regulatory policies. We are therefore seeking a highly organised individual with an eye for detail.
Profile and Requirements
You will have excellent communication skills, working effectively with others to overcome scientific challenges and learn new skills. This role also requires the ability to work independently in the laboratory and be able to work flexibly across different projects as schedules require.
Educated to at least Degree level in a discipline containing a significant chemistry or analytical chemistry component. A working knowledge of sample preparation and chromatographic techniques such as UPLC/HPLC/GC and triple quadrupole/high resolution MS is highly advantageous, but not essential as training will be provided. Key responsibilities:
- Follow written instructions (standard operating procedures, protocols, analytical methods)
- Preparation of samples for chromatography
- Sample analysis (LC MSMS, LC-high resolution-MS, GC-MS(MS), SFC-MSMS)
- Data processing
- Reporting and Quality control checking of data
- Working to agreed deadlines
This role will be closing Friday 11th April, 2025 and the salary for this role is £27,163.48
Due to the high volume of applications we are receiving, if you have not heard anything from Charles River Laboratories Edinburgh regarding the next steps of our recruitment process within 3 weeks of the closing date, then please conclude you have been unsuccessful.
About Safety AssessmentCharles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.
About Charles RiverCharles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.
At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to the principle of diversity and inclusion and work daily in this direction.
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.
Helping you find your moment
You take great care and effort when you apply for a job with us. Rest assured that we’ll be just as diligent in finding the role that’s right for you. Here’s how our hiring process works:
Job Search
Learn about CRL, our culture, and why we do the work we do while also searching for roles that match your interests and expertise.
Application
Create a profile and apply to as many roles as you have an interest.
Note: Depending on the role, you may be required to include a resume in your application.
Assessment and application review
Complete assessments, if requested, to determine whether the role is likely to be a good fit for you – and vice versa. The recruiter will review your resume and qualifications against the requirements of the role and will determine next steps.
Note: At any point in the process, you can log into your profile to review the status of your application.
Interview
Engage in our inclusive interview process by meeting with a diverse group of interviewers who will provide information on the company, culture, and your role while also asking you questions to assess your skills, interests, and expertise. This is also a great time for you to ask questions.
Note: Charles River leverages technical and behavioral-based interview questions based on our DNA (Care, Lead, Own, and Collaborate). Please familiarize yourself with the DNA and be prepared to relate your experiences to them.
Job offer and onboarding
Receive a competitive offer either by phone or email from a Charles River recruiter or hiring manager. The offer will include your title, salary, location, and other relevant information.
Note: Upon acceptance, you will work with your recruiter to confirm a start date and will receive paperwork to electronically complete prior to your start. For US-based roles, upon your acceptance, you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screen and pass a criminal background check.
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Moment by moment
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About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organization (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.

Supporting your well-being
Your dedication and passion make a life-saving difference in lives around the world. We’re committed to providing you with benefits that elevate your quality of life.

About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organization (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.