Global experts in technical hiring of talent from science, chemicals and engineering skillset backgrounds

(STEM Solutions was the international arm of Science Solutions - both of which were acquired by nGAGE Talent Ltd in October 2024 and became the SMART4 Chemicals and SMART4 Sciences trading brands)Paul brings PhD expertise and network penetration to bear in his partnership with you, a combined 10-year academic chemistry experience with 8-year high level recruitment service into the life science, drug discovery and chemical sectors at home and abroad.

Matching the best talent from chemistry backgrounds with fantastic opportunities in the speciality chemical and drug discovery industries in the UKScience Solutions is a specialist scientific and technical recruitment consultancy providing solutions across the UK and Europe.Science Solutions provides a flexible service tailored to our client’s needs. Our values are based on honesty, integrity, and excellent customer service. We aim to be the most trusted niche recruitment consultancy, offering a truly personalised service.With a combined 50 years experience within scientific & technical recruitment we are able to provide expert knowledge and services across a range of sectors including◾Pharmaceutical◾Biotechnology◾Medical Devices◾Cosmetics, Personal care & Household Products◾Speciality & Fine Chemicals◾Industrial Chemicals◾Petrochemical◾Contract Testing◾Polymers & Material Science◾Drug DiscoveryScience Solutions provide a range of services including permanent, temporary and retained recruitment campaigns for roles ranging from entry level through to Executive Director Appointments.Examples of positions we recruit include:◾Laboratory Technicians◾Analytical Chemists◾Formulation Development Chemists◾Synthetic Chemists◾Process Chemists◾Senior Management / Directors◾Microbiologists◾Molecular Biologists◾Regulatory Affairs◾Quality Assurance (QA)◾Quality Control (QC)◾R&D Scientists

A continuation of my PhD project in order to complete several promising aspects of the research. The compounds were prepared, and a collaboration was developed between a molecular signalling research group. This allowed for the biological assay of the novel compounds to be undertaken. This informed a "2nd generation" series of molecules which were prepared.

My first taste of being personally responsible and accountable for furthering this important research project. It was a huge learning experience over the 4 years, but it has developed a resilient approach to complex problem-solving activities.Project: Towards the total synthesis of the 20-deoxy bryostatins and C-20 difluoro analogues. Supervisor: Prof. Jim ThomasThe bryostatins are a family of 20 complex macrolides which have shown both in-vitro and in-vivo activity against cancer and Alzheimer's disease amongst other diseases. The total synthesis of these has demonstrated the state of the art of organic chemistry, and remains the only realistic route to commercial supply - though currently the routes would not be cost-effective.Structurally simplified analogues have been shown to retain or improve upon the potency of the natural bryostatins but can be synthesized in fewer steps. The difluoro "bottom-half" analogue (see attached poster) is designed to be amenable to a flexible, shorter approach but will require the development of novel strategies and reactions in order to be accessed.

A role more generally referred to as 'demonstrating', since it revolves around demonstrating safe and efficient laboratory practice to undergraduate students during their lab courses. Further responsibilities include answering intelligent questions pertinent to the chemical theory, and instructing those incapable of forming intelligent questions to the relevant textbook in order for them to initiate independent critical thought!Marking lab scripts in a formal manner according to University mark schemes and explaining complex technical concepts in a more facile manner were other frequent duties.

I developed the link with the great supervisors in this lab to be able to spend my 'sandwich year' placement at Endeavour. I learnt a lot from the 5 PhD level chemists that I worked closely with, developing reactions for the plant team, and also rectifying and supervising problem reactions performed by the scale up team.I also performed contract syntheses which exposed me to the financial aspects in terms of making profit for the company directly from my output in the lab, which is generally an aspect easily overlooked by a scientist.