Data Scientist KTP Associate(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

This opportunity is a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Sussex and Custom Pharmaceuticals Ltd (CP), a UK-based contract development and manufacturing organisation supporting pharmaceutical innovation.

The role focuses on building advanced data analytics and predictive modelling capabilities to transform how pharmaceutical product development decisions are made, shifting from experience-led processes to data-driven, evidence-based approaches.

You will be based primarily at CP’s Brighton site, working at the intersection of academic research and real-world pharmaceutical development.

Role Overview

As a KTP Associate, you will lead the development and integration of advanced analytical and predictive modelling tools to improve drug formulation and development processes.

The goal is to unlock value from existing datasets, reduce reliance on trial-and-error methods, improve development success rates, and shorten the time required to bring new pharmaceutical products to market.

You will work closely with academic supervisors and industry professionals to design, test, and implement data-driven solutions that become embedded within commercial workflows.

This role also involves transferring knowledge between academia and industry, ensuring long-term capability development within the business.

Key Responsibilities

Data Analytics & Modelling Development

• Analyse and interpret large, complex pharmaceutical datasets
  Develop statistical, mathematical, and predictive models to support decision-making
  Apply optimisation techniques and uncertainty modelling to improve product development outcomes
  Identify patterns and insights to support formulation and process decisions

Pharmaceutical Product Development Support

• Work within New Product Introduction (NPI) processes to evaluate development data
  Support early-stage case studies in formulation and process optimisation
  Help reduce experimental workload through predictive modelling approaches
  Contribute to improving efficiency and success rates in drug development

Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across science, engineering, and business functions
  Collaborate with University of Sussex academic supervisors
  Translate academic research methods into practical industrial applications
  Support development of new data-driven services for commercial use

Capability Building & Implementation

• Help establish in-house advanced analytics capability within CP
  Embed modelling tools into business processes and client-facing workflows
  Support the first commercial deployment of predictive modelling services
  Contribute to long-term digital transformation within the organisation

Project Leadership & Reporting

• Lead day-to-day project delivery and progress tracking
  Report to joint academic and industry governance boards
  Manage competing priorities and ensure delivery against project timelines
  Contribute to research dissemination and knowledge-sharing outputs

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong academic background in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Informatics, or a related quantitative field
  A Master’s degree or PhD (or equivalent industrial research experience preferred)
  Experience in mathematical/statistical modelling, optimisation, or predictive analytics
  Strong programming skills in Python and/or R
  Experience working with large and complex datasets
  Ability to interpret results and communicate insights clearly to non-technical audiences
  Strong organisational and project management skills
  Ability to work independently while collaborating in multidisciplinary teams

About the Programme (KTP)

This role is part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) supported by UK government innovation funding. It is designed to embed academic expertise directly into industry, enabling innovation and long-term capability development.

Salary & Working Conditions

Grade 8 salary: £47,389 – £56,535 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Fixed-term contract until October 2028 (30-month project duration)
Flexible working arrangements considered (subject to business needs)
Based primarily in Brighton, UK

Visa & Eligibility

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship (SOC code 2119 – Natural and Social Science Professionals)
Salary meets the applicable UK “going rate” threshold
ATAS clearance may be required before starting employment
The role may also be eligible for the Global Talent visa, depending on candidate profile

Why This Role Matters

This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge academic research and industrial pharmaceutical innovation. You will directly contribute to transforming how medicines are developed by introducing advanced data science and predictive modelling into real-world drug development workflows.