Job Description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we'll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Scientific Associate for our Safety Assessment Group located in Elphinstone, Tranent. This position is a 12 month fixed term contract.
The following are responsibilities related to the Scientific Associate position:

• Use UPLC with MS detection for quantification of compounds in liquid matrices
• Carry out experiments in support of method validation and subsequent routine samples generated within GLP and/or GCP regulatory studies
• Required to follow written instructions (SOPs, protocols, analytical procedures) and document details of steps carried out to ensure compliance through recreation of events
• Performing technical laboratory activities in support of client studies or procedures.
• Performing analysis of data for quality and completeness and determines if results are as expected.
• Recording data in compliance with company and regulatory policies and standards to meet quality and accuracy requirements.

The following are minimum qualifications related to the Scientific Associate position:

• A BSc in a Scientific related discipline.
• Basic understanding of programming concepts (such as variables, loops and arrays) to assist in the programming, testing and optimisation of liquid handling robots.
• Experience using complex software packages would be advantageous.
• A working knowledge of sample preparation and chromatographic techniques would be advantageous.
• Good problem solving skills and be able to work to tight deadlines and record data accurately.
• The ability to communicate effectively.

What you can expect from us:

• A clear career progression
• World Class Training and a structured progression scheme
• Competitive salary
• Private Health Care
• Subsidized electric car scheme open to all employees
• Pension scheme including 8% employer contribution
• Personal life insurance equivalent to 6 times your annual salary
• Employee discount scheme - discounts across hundreds of retailers!
• Paid opportunity to volunteer for one day each year
• Free onsite fitness suite and fitness lessons
• Discounted staff canteen
• Free onsite parking

Salary for this role is 27,163.48 per annum. Closing date for applications is Monday 11th August 2025.
About Safety Assessment
Charles 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 River
Charles 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 over 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 worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.
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.

Skills Required