Head of Analytical Chemistry
APC Ltd is an award-winning and rapidly growing pharmaceutical process research company, with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. In the space of 5 years, our science and technology driven solutions have pioneered innovation in the sector, and we now partner with 8 of the top-10 pharma and 5 of the top-10 biotech firms in the world.
From our world-class facility, our highly capable and qualified team delivers specialised chemical and process engineering solutions. Powered by novel technology and world-class scientific research, we help companies accelerate the development & launch of their medicines.
Our rapid growth has come from a commitment to excellence, a drive to innovate and the desire to develop a challenging, creative and rewarding environment for our team.
APC seeks candidates with strong experience in the fundamentals and general applications of chromatography, spectroscopy, solid-state techniques and mass spectrometry in supporting small-molecule drug development.
Specifically, the ideal candidate will also have a good understanding of the principles of HPLC and GC method development including column selection, gradient and mobile phase optimisation, detector choice and optimisation and method validation to ICH guidelines. Alternatively or in addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a good understanding of physical, thermal, structural, and surface properties of crystalline and amorphous API to enable informed decisions for crystallization, milling, formulation, and scale-up, ensuring product stability and compliance with critical quality attributes throughout development. Relevant analytical techniques will include particle size analysis by laser diffraction; DSC to measure thermal events and enthalpy changes; TGA to measure moisture content, residual solvents, and decomposition profiles; PXRD to identify crystalline phases and polymorphs; non-ambient PXRD to track in situ phase changes under controlled temperature and humidity and DVS to measure sorption and desorption isotherms for water and organic vapours. Finally, a demonstrated competency in the development and validation of LC–MS/MS and/or GC–MS methods for trace-level quantitation of genotoxic impurities, or other low-level analytes in complex pharmaceutical matrices as well as structural elucidation of unknowns using HRMS (Q–TOF) with targeted/untargeted MS/MS would be of interest.
Purpose of the role
Lead and develop a high-performing technical team, driving both operational excellence and people growth in a collaborative, science-focused environment.
Shape the future of service delivery and asset management for cutting-edge medicine projects, with influence over strategy, innovation, and discipline growth.
Enjoy dynamic responsibilities from internal project leadership and on site client interactions to safety, culture and continuous improvement, working cross-functionally with expert colleagues.
The Head of Discipline is also responsible for their portfolio of services (improve existing services and identify new services) to support the growth of the medicine accelerator client base.
This role requires someone who is passionate about talent, technical impact, and leadership—offering structured development, recognition, and the opportunity to shape the next generation of people and science within TMA
Key Responsibilities: -
Discipline Strategy and Governance
Develop strategic vision, identifying future skills and asset requirements for the discipline in collaboration with Business Unit Director. Develop plans to implement the vision
Support resolutions with client delivery when required.
Act as footprint owner for assigned areas, assign equipment and area owners and ensure tasks are complete
Support commercial visit, by taking a lead role in client visit tours and technical preparations.
Support new business sales process, as main point of contract for commercial organization for discovery sessions, proposal technical content, deliverables and resource plans.
Support the creation of Sales & Marketing collateral
Oversee operational excellence for the Discipline
Influence business processes to be practical for the team
Govern discipline as per operational KPIs (Safety, Quality, People, Cost, etc.)
Manage discipline cost base (people, equipment SLAs/repairs, consumables, etc.)
People Leadership
Lead people in line with the values of APC and develop people within the function discipline so that they can deliver excellent science to all projects
On-board new personnel and integrate them speedily to be effective in APC/VLE via buddy system, training plan etc.
Develop and maintain a skills matrix for the discipline and deploy training and recruitment solutions as required to address gaps.
For each team member, set objectives, manage performance and give feedback, have monthly 1:1s, create a development plan over time that includes CPD. Complete the PM review, calibration, salary letter and promotions processes for all team members
Hold monthly staff meetings to promote 2-way communication including APC/VLE and function discipline direction, priorities etc
Ensure implementation of HR policies and guidelines as regards the team including recognition
Provide leadership and guidance to discipline team members, ensuring performance management, career development, and succession planning.
Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Maintain accurate and reliable people records
Support discipline delivery to Projects/APC business through proactive people resourcing to projects and (in partnership with Client Delivery Team)
Ongoing monitoring of discipline performance within projects through feedback loops with Medicine Leads. Prompt escalation/resolution/prioritisation of issues
Coordinate recruitment and onboarding for discipline-specific roles.
Services, Shift Scheduling & Asset Management
Create and manage shift schedules (as required) to ensure adequate coverage for projects and operational needs while ensuring all safety protocols are adhered to
Support the Medicine Lead and Project Managers to align discipline resources with project timelines.
In partnership with BU Director, Associate Directors of Medicines, COO and CTO, develop and implement improvements to existing discipline functional service offering and lead the identification of new services to support the growth of the business.
Owns business case for Capex
Oversee the maintenance and lifecycle management of discipline-specific assets
Ensure compliance with asset integrity standards and regulatory requirements
Implement strategies for asset optimization
Set and maintain the Safety and Quality culture of the discipline
Qualifications
PhD in relevant function OR
BSc/MSc/BE in relevant function.
Experience
Minimum of 4 years' industry experience in technical and people management (if PhD qualified); or
Minimum of 7 years' industry experience in technical and people management (if Degree qualified)
Skills & Knowledge
Experience in line management and developing team member's skills and overseeing training programmes.
Experience in performance management and conflict resolution
Proven track record in internal and external technical communication.
Experience in strategy development and stakeholder management
Personal Characteristics
Excellent collaborative leadership and people management style
Passion for the discipline and commitment to the success of APC
Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
Excellent organisational and planning skills with an ability to prioritise and to meet set deadlines
How to Apply
If you believe you have the capability required and the interest in being part of this dynamic rapidly growing organization, we would like to talk to you.
The closing date for applications is Friday 06th March 2026
APC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all employees. All
employment decisions at APC are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regards to gender, ethnicity, age, religious
belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other status protected by Irish law.