Hays
Upstream Process Scientist - Biologics

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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
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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


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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.
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