Home Jobs Operations Scientist 1

Back to Jobs

Operations Scientist 1 - Job Opportunity at Abbott Laboratories

Witney, United Kingdom

Full-time

Entry-level

Posted: June 9, 2025

On-site

£32,000 - £42,000 per year, reflecting entry-level positioning in the UK medical device manufacturing sector. This range accounts for Abbott's premium market position, the specialized nature of diabetes care technology, and the Witney location's proximity to Oxford's biotechnology corridor.

Benefits

Comprehensive company pension scheme providing long-term financial security and retirement planning support

Premium private medical insurance ensuring immediate access to healthcare services and reducing personal medical expenses

Share ownership scheme enabling direct participation in company performance and long-term wealth building

Life assurance providing financial protection and peace of mind for family members

Flexible benefits platform allowing personalized benefit selection to match individual lifestyle and family needs

Competitive salary structure positioning compensation above market averages for similar roles

Structured career development opportunities within state-of-the-art facilities supporting professional advancement

Key Responsibilities

Drive production efficiency and quality excellence by providing critical technical support that directly impacts patient care outcomes for diabetes management solutions

Lead knowledge transfer initiatives across operations teams, establishing technical expertise that enhances organizational capability and reduces operational risks

Mentor and develop junior team members, building organizational capacity and ensuring continuity of technical excellence across manufacturing operations

Ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards adherence, protecting both company reputation and patient safety in medical device manufacturing

Execute environmental monitoring and analysis programs that maintain product integrity and support regulatory submissions for global market access

Own and advance Exception Reports, CAPAs, and Validation Master Plan activities that directly support product quality and regulatory compliance

Support New Product Introduction processes through product characterization and validation, enabling successful launch of innovative diabetes care solutions

Identify and implement process improvements that enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality outcomes

Lead technical investigations and design control projects that solve complex manufacturing challenges and support continuous improvement initiatives

Facilitate effective communication within technical groups, ensuring alignment on critical projects and knowledge sharing across teams

Oversee clinical study operations ensuring ethical conduct and regulatory compliance that supports product development and market approval

Manage Internal Clinical Study programs that generate critical data for product validation and regulatory submissions

Requirements

Education

Higher degree in a technical or scientific discipline

Experience

Experience in a laboratory, scientific, or technical environment is essential

Required Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills Proficiency in software packages such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Technical support capabilities Knowledge transfer abilities Mentoring and training skills Environmental monitoring and analysis Exception reporting and CAPA management Validation processes New product introduction support Process improvement identification Technical investigation leadership Clinical study management Regulatory compliance understanding

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing diabetes prevalence and technological advancements, with the global CGM market expected to reach $15.9 billion by 2028. This growth is creating substantial demand for operations scientists who can support manufacturing scale-up and quality assurance processes. Digital health integration is transforming diabetes care, with CGM devices increasingly connected to smartphone apps and healthcare systems, requiring operations scientists to understand both traditional manufacturing processes and digital connectivity requirements. Regulatory environments for medical devices are becoming more stringent globally, particularly in post-Brexit UK and EU markets, creating demand for professionals who can navigate complex compliance requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. Sustainability and environmental compliance are becoming critical factors in medical device manufacturing, with companies investing heavily in green manufacturing processes and environmental monitoring capabilities that operations scientists must support.

Role Significance

Typically works within a technical team of 8-15 professionals, including senior scientists, quality engineers, and manufacturing specialists, with direct mentoring responsibilities for 2-4 junior team members or new hires.

Entry-level professional role with mentoring responsibilities, positioned as a development pathway into senior technical positions. The role combines hands-on technical work with leadership development opportunities, indicating Abbott's investment in building internal technical expertise.

Key Projects

New product validation and characterization projects supporting FreeStyle Libre product line extensions and next-generation CGM technologies Process optimization initiatives aimed at scaling manufacturing capacity to meet growing global demand Clinical study support projects that generate data for regulatory submissions and product improvements Environmental monitoring and compliance projects ensuring adherence to medical device manufacturing standards

Success Factors

Deep understanding of medical device manufacturing processes and quality systems, as the role requires balancing production efficiency with stringent quality requirements that directly impact patient safety Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities essential for conducting technical investigations, analyzing environmental monitoring data, and identifying process improvements in complex manufacturing environments Excellent communication and mentoring skills crucial for knowledge transfer activities and supporting less experienced team members in a technical environment Regulatory compliance expertise becoming increasingly important as medical device regulations evolve and companies face greater scrutiny from global regulatory bodies Project management capabilities necessary for owning Exception Reports, CAPAs, and validation activities that have direct impact on product quality and market access

Market Demand

High demand driven by expanding CGM market, aging population with increasing diabetes prevalence, and Abbott's continued investment in UK manufacturing capabilities following successful FreeStyle Libre product launches.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Environmental monitoring and analysis capabilities are essential as medical device manufacturing requires strict environmental controls and continuous monitoring to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance. This skill directly impacts product quality and patient safety. CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) and Exception Report management skills are crucial for maintaining quality systems and regulatory compliance in medical device manufacturing, where documentation and systematic problem-solving are regulatory requirements. Technical communication and knowledge transfer abilities are vital for supporting manufacturing operations and ensuring consistent quality across teams, particularly important in a regulated industry where procedural adherence is critical. New Product Introduction support skills are increasingly important as Abbott continues to innovate in CGM technology, requiring professionals who can bridge development and manufacturing requirements.

Beneficial Skills

Clinical research experience becomes increasingly valuable as medical device companies integrate real-world evidence into product development and regulatory strategies Data analysis and statistical skills are growing in importance as manufacturing processes become more data-driven and companies seek to optimize operations through advanced analytics Project management capabilities are beneficial for career advancement and handling complex technical projects that span multiple departments and functions Regulatory knowledge beyond basic compliance, including understanding of international medical device regulations, provides competitive advantage in global manufacturing operations

Unique Aspects

Direct involvement in manufacturing products that significantly improve quality of life for millions of diabetes patients worldwide, providing meaningful work with clear social impact

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge biosensor technology and continuous glucose monitoring systems that represent the forefront of diabetes care innovation

Exposure to both manufacturing operations and clinical research through internal clinical study management responsibilities, providing broad experience in medical device development

Access to Abbott's global network and resources while working in a specialized UK Centre of Excellence environment that combines local autonomy with international support

Involvement in the complete product lifecycle from development through manufacturing to clinical validation, offering comprehensive understanding of medical device commercialization

Career Growth

2-4 years to senior scientist level, 5-7 years to management positions, with Abbott's structured career development program supporting accelerated progression for high performers

Potential Next Roles

Operations Scientist 2 or Senior Operations Scientist roles within 2-3 years, focusing on more complex technical projects and greater team leadership responsibilities Process Development Scientist positions specializing in new product development and manufacturing process optimization Quality Assurance or Regulatory Affairs roles leveraging experience with compliance and validation processes Technical Project Manager positions combining scientific expertise with project management responsibilities

Company Overview

Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare leader with 135 years of innovation history, particularly strong in diabetes care through the revolutionary FreeStyle Libre CGM system. The company has established a Centre of Excellence in the UK specifically for biosensor and electrode manufacturing, positioning the Witney facility as a critical component of Abbott's global diabetes care strategy.

Abbott Diabetes Care holds a leading position in the global CGM market, competing directly with Dexcom and Medtronic. The FreeStyle Libre system has achieved significant market penetration across Europe and is expanding globally, making Abbott a dominant player in accessible diabetes technology.

The UK operation serves as a key manufacturing and development hub for European and global markets, with the Witney facility playing a crucial role in Abbott's post-Brexit European strategy and serving as a bridge between US headquarters and European operations.

Abbott emphasizes innovation, patient focus, and employee development, with a culture that balances corporate structure with scientific innovation. The company's long history and stable market position create an environment that supports both career development and cutting-edge research.

Apply Now

Operations Scientist 1 - Job Opportunity at Abbott Laboratories

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Abbott Laboratories

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence