Upstream Process Scientist - Biologics

Your new company
You'll be joining a leading biopharmaceutical company developing innovative biologic therapies. You'll be part of a growing pilot-scale process development team supporting the scale-up and manufacture of monoclonal antibodies from early development through to GMP production.
The company has a highly collaborative and innovative culture and this is a growth role due to an increased number of projects coming through their portfolio.

Your new role
As an Upstream Process Development Scientist, you will support pilot-scale mammalian cell culture activities and process optimisation programmes for biologics manufacturing across the company's portfolio of antibody and other large molecule therapeutics.
This is initially a 12 month contract, fully based on-site.
The role can be at either Scientist or junior Scientist grade depending on experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and executing upstream process development (USP) studies using mammalian cell culture systems and pilot-scale bioreactors (50L and 200L)
• Supporting antibody production, scale-up, harvest development, and process optimisation activities
• Analysing experimental data, identifying trends, and communicating scientific recommendations to project teams
• Collaborating with upstream, downstream, and GMP manufacturing groups to support process transfer and development objectives
• Troubleshooting cell culture and process-related challenges while supporting continuous improvement initiatives
• Contributing to the generation of material for toxicology studies and future manufacturing campaigns

What you'll need to succeed
A successful candidate will combine practical bioprocess experience with strong scientific and problem-solving capabilities.
You should also have:

• A BSc/MSc (or equivalent experience) in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline
• Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, preferably involving CHO cells (though other cell types, eg HEK, HeLa, etc are fine), antibody production, or recombinant protein expression
• Experience operating laboratory scale (eg Ambr15, Ambr250, shake flask, etc) or pilot-scale / single-use bioreactor (SUB) systems
• Strong understanding of aseptic technique, process development, and data analysis
• Good troubleshooting, organisational, and communication skills
• The full right to work in the UK without sponsorship until at least November 2027 (preferably beyond) as no sponsorship is available for this role

Any experience with harvest processing, GMP manufacturing or tech transfer activities would be an advantage but isn't necessary

What you'll get in return
The chance to work on a diverse range of upstream process development projects that will make a real impact on the company's portfolio of biologics as well as good opportunities for technical & career development and progression.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Keywords: Upstream, Process, Development, USP, Scientist, Associate, Research, Pharmaceutical, Biologics, Mammalian, Cell, Culture, CHO, Antibody, Protein, Expression, Bioreactor, Ambr, Scaleup, Manufacturing, GMP, Bioprocess, Biotechnology, Aseptic, Optimisation, Transfer, Therapeutics, Development