Join RSSL as a Scientist II (Flavour Scientist) based in Reading, United Kingdom. This full-time, regular role involves providing technical direction within the Food Sciences laboratory, managing flavour projects, and mentoring junior staff within a leading contract research organization.
Requirements
Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent laboratory experience.
Extended experience in flavor chemistry.
Strong expertise in GC-MSMS, GC-O, GC-MS, and LC-MS.
Knowledge of GMP and UKAS laboratory quality systems.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Skills & Responsibilities
GC-MSMS and LC-MS: Execute complex analytical methods, routine testing, and troubleshooting for flavor and food science projects.
Project Management: Plan resources, manage project teams, and deliver analytical projects within tight timescales.
Quality and Compliance: Write and approve SOPs, risk assessments, and COSHHs while ensuring adherence to GMP and UKAS standards.
Mentorship: Train, supervise, and mentor junior scientists and technicians.
Potential transition routes: People from analytical chemist or senior laboratory technician roles may bring strong chromatography and project skills, alongside meeting the required scientific background.
Job description
Job Description
Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL?
Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration
At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International.
We are not just dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service, we are recognised for it. We were named Best Performing Professional Services Company of the Year at the One Nucleus Awards and CRO of the Year at the OBN awards. We were also finalists for multiple recent multiple awards recognising our commitment to skills and rising talent.
Purpose:
In RSSL we are customer focused, science-led and results driven. The RSSL Food Sciences laboratory performs a wide range of analytical analyses for a variety of food, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and supports Mondelez research and innovation.
The role of Flavour Scientist is to provide technical direction within the Food Sciences laboratory. Play a key role in ensuring that complex flavour projects are performed and supervised effectively and accurately within agreed timescales and to appropriate quality standards. This role focuses on routine and investigative analyses of products and method development and validations using techniques such as GC-MSMS, GC-O, GC-MS and LC-MS. Mentor and train junior members of the team as required. Client contact and administrative support for laboratory management.
The position will be primarily based at the Reading site although may require attendance of any of the RSSL sites.
Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities:
Technical
Always provide high quality customer service by ensuring effective organisation of assigned workload, integrity of analytical data generated and timely/accurate provision of results.
Provide Technical direction within own area of expertise across departments.
Perform a range of analysis independently.
Perform complex method development and design validation protocols.
Perform maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment.
Perform data checking and provide interpretation of results for routine testing.
Generate certificates of analysis and/or external interpretive reports.
Expert user of specific software and proficient in the use of generic and specific software packages require for the role: Laboratory’s LIMS system, ELN, Q-Pulse, Chemstation and Mass Hunter
Provide training and supervise junior staff in routine activities and methods and interpretation.
Responsible for a portfolio of projects within their technical area of expertise
Communication & Influence
Work as part of an efficient analytical team
To liaise with clients, business development and line management to ensure effective communication of project proposals and results.
Provide expert advice and lead client and stake holders meetings as required
Deliver external presentations of data and internal presentations to senior technical stakeholders
Contributes to technical strategies & influences senior management
Leadership and supervision
Plan own workload and plan routine projects for junior staff
Train junior members of the team as required.
Manage a team of Scientists and Technicians
QEHS
Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed.
To complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner, including review and approval
Write and approve SOPs and Test Methods
Generation and approval of Risk Assessments and COSHH
Understand and provide technical regulatory leadership in client audits
To maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
To understand and work to the requirements of GMP and UKAS.
Ensure training records are accurate.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements
Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory.
Excellent understanding of GC MSMS, GCO, GC-MS and LC-MS.
Scientific understanding and ability to independently conduct chemical analysis in relevant area
Good knowledge of laboratory quality and accreditation systems (GMP/UKAS)
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to network with external clients and internal teams.
Meticulous attention to detail, well organized and strong team working ethos. able to organise own work and others to maximise output
Ability to deliver projects/work within tight timescales and ability to motivate and mentor junior scientific staff.
Technical credibility to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients.
Ability to problem solve and to plan resources to maintain consistent workflow in delivery of projects.
Excellent organizational skills, including time management and priority setting.
Project management and planning skills, able to manage project teams and leading resourcing allocation.
Computer literate in standard MS office applications
Extended experience of working in flavor chemistry.
Experience of working for, or with, a CRO
Analytical Project management
English fluency (written and spoken)
More about this role
In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:
Opportunities to learn and develop
Performance Related Bonus scheme
Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution)
Life assurance
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc).
Business Unit Summary
Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.
RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
