A contract research organisation with several UK sites in Scotland, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire that supports early drug discovery and safety testing.
Charles River supports other companies that are developing new medicines. It works from early drug discovery through to preclinical safety testing, which is the research done before a medicine is tried in people. In the UK it employs scientists, laboratory technicians and support staff.
The company says it is "committed to elevating human health on a global scale" and that it values early-career staff's determination. We did not find a longer formal mission statement on the pages we read.
UK sites listed by the ABPI include Tranent and Ormiston in Scotland, Margate and Canterbury in Kent, and Harlow, Saffron Walden and Welwyn in Essex and Hertfordshire. In 2026 Heriot-Watt University reported that Charles River is expanding at its Edinburgh research park, with about 250 skilled roles expected once the development is complete, and a plan to build a European bioanalysis centre in Scotland.
The company says former interns describe mentoring, networking and, in some cases, moving into full-time jobs. These are company claims, so ask about them at interview.
Routes we found: a two-year rotational Graduate Programme (CRLgro) in Drug Discovery at Saffron Walden (2023 intake, needed a predicted 2:1 and closed in October 2022), industrial placements, and junior technician and drug discovery apprenticeship roles on apprenticeship review sites (dated). Charles River lists 10 UK roles on its student page, so check careers.criver.com for what is open now.
Website: www.criver.com
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