Hays
Scientist - Upstream Process Development
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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
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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
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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
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