Job Description
Exciting Opportunity: LC‑MS Specialist
Are you an experienced LC‑MS scientist who enjoys being the go‑to expert for keeping instruments running at their best? This organisation is seeking an LC‑MS Specialist to take ownership of a busy suite of LC‑MS systems, supporting drug discovery projects through high‑quality analytical data and robust instrument performance.
Job Title: LC‑MS Specialist
Vacancy Type: 1–2 Year Fixed‑Term Contract
Location: Cambridge
Salary: DOE
The Role of the LC‑MS Specialist
In this laboratory‑based role, you will be the technical lead for LC‑MS activities, with a strong focus on instrument reliability, method execution, and data quality. Working closely with chemistry and biology teams, you’ll ensure smooth day‑to‑day operation of open‑access LC‑MS platforms while contributing analytical insight to discovery programmes.
Key responsibilities include:
* Owning and managing multiple LC‑MS systems, including routine maintenance, calibration, fault‑finding, and performance monitoring
* Acting as the first point of contact for LC‑MS troubleshooting and best practice
* Supporting purification and analysis of chiral and achiral compounds
* Generating high‑quality analytical and physchem data to support medicinal chemistry decision‑making
* Promoting effective use of LC‑MS across cross‑functional project teams
* Supporting safe and compliant laboratory operations on a daily basis
While exposure to DMPK or in vitro ADME work is beneficial, the core requirement for this role is strong hands‑on LC‑MS expertise and instrument ownership.
The Ideal Candidate for the LC‑MS Specialist Role
To succeed in this position, you will bring:
* A degree in chemistry or a related scientific discipline
* At least 3 years’ recent practical, hands‑on experience working with LC‑MS systems
* Proven, recent experience maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting LC‑MS instrumentation
* Confidence supporting open‑access LC‑MS environments
* Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and data interpretation skills
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to work confidently with interdisciplinary teams
Desirable experience includes:
* Hands‑on use of Shimadzu and/or Agilent LC‑MS platforms
* Experience with high‑resolution mass spectrometry or SFC
* Exposure to physchem or in vitro ADME assays (not essential).
Why This Role?
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys being the technical backbone of an analytical lab — ensuring LC‑MS systems perform reliably, supporting multiple discovery programmes, and working in a collaborative, science‑driven environment with excellent training and development opportunities.
For more information, please contact Selby De Klerk at SRG
SRG are the UK’s number one recruitment company specialising in the science, engineering, clinical, pharmaceutical, food/FMCG, renewable, biotech, chemicals and medical devices sectors.
As scientists ourselves, our specialist sector knowledge and passion are second to none. We’re committed to providing outstanding temporary, contract, and permanent career opportunities at all levels.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, feel free to get in touch or visit www.srgtalent.com to view our other vacancies.