Consultant, Engineer, Research & Development Incentives - Life Sciences, Tax

Connect to your Industry

The UK government provides tax incentives to businesses performing R&D. Deloitte’s R&D tax services group is a market leader in helping clients secure these incentives and is the most experienced team in the UK.

Continued market success has created new opportunities and we are now looking to recruit candidates with a Pharmaceutical and Biology background, to join this successful team. You will have the opportunity to apply your technical knowledge focussed on the Life Science’s sector but across a wide range of other industries and help companies identify the activities that qualify as R&D for these incentives. R&D for tax purposes can involve activities from basic research, through to early stage new product & process development, industrial scale trials (including clinical trials) and ongoing process improvement activity across all areas of engineering and manufacturing.

Connect to your career at Deloitte

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Connect to your opportunity

Develop your technical expertise to help companies in the life sciences industry maximise their R&D tax relief. As a Consultant within our specialist team, you'll play a crucial role in analysing complex technical projects and translating them into successful R&D tax claims. You’ll leverage your industry experience to interpret and communicate complex technical information clearly to HMRC.

In your role as a Consultant, you will be client-facing from Day One, conducting technical interviews and preparing documentation to support R&D tax claims. You will be working with senior technical and scientific staff within our client companies, where you will need to understand the nature of the work being performed and prepare high-quality documentation to explain how projects meet the definition of R&D.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Analyse technical data and documentation from clients to support the planning and development of R&D claim methodologies, specifically focusing on pharmaceutical research and development projects.
• Guide clients through the R&D assessment process, identifying qualifying activities and eligible expenditures, ensuring compliance with HMRC reporting requirements.
• Conduct detailed technical interviews with client scientists, researchers, process and biomedical engineers and clinicians to advise on R&D tax relief eligibility, discussing concepts related to drug discovery, formulation development, clinical trials, and manufacturing processes.
• Successfully interpret and articulate the technical work undertaken by the relevant departments and teams within the pharmaceutical to HMRC, ensuring alignment with qualifying R&D activities.
• Draft robust project descriptions for HMRC submission, effectively communicating complex scientific and clinical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including HMRC, clearly articulating the basis for our clients' R&D claims.
• Collaborate with project teams to accurately assess and capture relevant qualifying R&D costs related to pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing activities.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of clients, prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines effectively.
• Thrive in a collaborative and inclusive team environment, leveraging your expertise to deliver exceptional client service.

Connect to your skills and professional experience

• Previous experience within R&D tax credits, ideally with a focus on the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector.
• Experience with government grants and incentives within the life sciences sector.
• Hold a degree in a relevant life science discipline, such as: Pharmaceutical Science, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Chemistry, Medicine, Molecular Biology, or equivalent industry experience.
• Practical experience working within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector, including Medical Chemist, Bioprocess Engineer, Analytical Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Biologist etc.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of pharmaceutical research and development processes, including drug discovery, formulation development, clinical trials, and manufacturing.
• Exhibit exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to effectively convey complex scientific information to both technical and non-technical audiences, including HMRC representatives and client stakeholders.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, allowing you to quickly understand and interpret technical documentation and identify qualifying R&D activities.
• Consistently produce accurate and well-structured technical reports, constantly presenting complex information with clarity and conciseness. This includes experience managing and prioritising report writing tasks to meet deadlines for multiple clients, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.
• Thrive in a collaborative team environment, actively contributing your expertise and supporting colleagues to deliver exceptional client service.
• Show a strong commitment to professional development and a keen interest in expanding your knowledge of R&D tax legislation and its application within the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector.

Connect to your business – Tax

Innovation and tax consultancy may not seem to go together, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Deloitte. We’re constantly seeking the new and working together to push the limits of what’s possible. Discover a new kind of tax career that you can make your own.

Tax

Our comprehensive range of services encompasses everything from the completion of tax returns (corporation tax self-assessment) to complex consultancy assignments and strategic tax planning. We advise on corporate and general tax, international M&A, stamp tax, cross-border transfer pricing, reorganisations and reconstructions, and competent authority negotiations.

Personal independence

Regulation and controls are standard practice in our industry and Deloitte is no exception. These controls provide important legal protection for both you and the firm. We are subject to a number of audit regulations, one of which requires that certain colleagues abide by specific personal independence constraints (e.g., in relation to any financial interests and employment relationships). This can mean that you and your "Immediate Family Members" are not permitted to hold certain financial interests (shares, funds, bonds etc.) with audit clients of the firm, and also prohibitions on certain employment relationships (e.g., you are not permitted to hold a secondary employment role with SEC audit clients of the firm whilst being employed by the firm). The recruitment team will provide further detail as you progress through the recruitment process or you can contact the Independence team upon request.

Connect with your colleagues

“We advise some of the largest, most prestigious clients in the world, so the work is really challenging and exciting. We also have a fantastic team of smart, driven people, and a supportive, entrepreneurial culture where everyone’s encouraged to be bold, creative, and ambitious” - Oliver, Tax

“Innovation and tax consultancy may not seem to go together, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Deloitte. We’re constantly seeking the new and working together to push the limits of what’s possible. Discover a new kind of tax career that you can make your own.”

"You never have to do it all on your own here. It’s great to know that we’re all in it together; we’re much stronger that way and it’s healthier for everyone too." - Anita, Tax

Our hybrid working policy

You’ll be based in Manchester with hybrid working.

At Deloitte we understand the importance of balancing your career alongside your home life. That’s why we’ll support you to work flexibly through our hybrid working policy. Depending on the requirements of your role, you’ll have the opportunity to work in your local office, virtual collaboration spaces, client sites and remotely. You’ll get the chance to meet face to face when needed, while you collaborate and learn from colleagues, share your experiences, and build the relationships that will fuel your career and prioritise your wellbeing. Please check with your recruiter for the specific working requirements that may apply for your role.

For a full job description please visit our online Deloitte Careers portal.