Scientist - Upstream Process Development

Your new company
As an Upstream Process Scientist, you'll be joining a well-established global biopharmaceutical organisation in the Reading / Slough / London area developing innovative biologic therapies. You'll be part of a multidisciplinary process sciences team focused on advancing manufacturing processes for antibodies and proteins from early development through to technology transfer and manufacturing support.

Your new role
As an Associate Scientist / Research Scientist in the Upstream Process Development team, you will support the development, optimisation, and scale-up of mammalian cell culture processes for biologics manufacturing.
This is initially a 12 month contract that is likely to extend and is fully lab-based.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and carrying out upstream process development studies using mammalian cell culture systems (eg CHO)
• Applying DoE and QbD approaches to process optimisation and characterisation
• Operating shake flasks, Ambr platforms, and laboratory-scale bioreactors to generate high-quality process data
• Supporting scale-up activities, process troubleshooting, technology transfer, and manufacturing support programmes for antibody and protein therapeutics
• Using automation and high-throughput technologies to improve process development efficiency
• Analysing experimental data and communicating findings to project teams and stakeholders
• Preparing technical reports, protocols, presentations, and scientific documentation
• Collaborating with cell line development, analytical sciences, downstream development, manufacturing, and external partners

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

• A BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
• Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and biologics process development, preferably in an industry setting, eg biotech, CRO or pharmaceutical company
• Experience working with mammalian cell culture and therapeutic protein production, experience with CHO cells is an advantage
• Practical experience operating Ambr systems and/or laboratory-scale bioreactors
• Understanding of process characterisation, scale-up principles, and upstream process optimisation
• Experience applying DoE and statistical analysis approaches
• Strong troubleshooting and scientific problem-solving capability
• Experience using automation technologies, digital tools, or laboratory data management systems
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills

The following would be advantageous, but are not required:

• Perfusion reactor experience
• Technology transfer or manufacturing support experience
• Exposure to downstream processing or integrated process development

ALL candidates must have the right to work in the UK until at least October 2027 and preferably beyond - no sponsorship is available for this role.
Candidates without this will not be considered.

What you'll get in return
You'll get the chance to work in a well-established and experienced team on projects that will make a real impact to the company's operations and patients in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.

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, Research, Pharmaceutical, Bioprocess, Mammalian, Cell, Culture, CHO, Bioreactor, Ambr, Biologic, Antibody, Pharmaceutical, R&D, Protein, Therapeutics, Optimisation, Characterisation, Scaleup, Manufacturing, Transfer, Perfusion, Automation, Biotechnology, Engineering, DoE, Statistics, GMP, Data