Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead

Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead

Lonza

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership to scientific project teams cantered on delivering proprietary host cell line solutions.
• Directly lead a small team of scientists, providing clarity, motivation, and support to continuously improve and develop.
• Incorporate scientific ideas from diverse sources into novel concepts, ensuring agreement from business units and operations.
• Plan and complete innovation projects, proactively handling uncertainties.
• Cultivate and uphold strong working connections with essential functional collaborators.
• Ensure scientific rigour and GMP requirements are maintained in project development.
• Maintain accurate and timely records to appropriate quality standards for yourself and your team.
• Prepare high-quality technical analyses and reports for internal and external use.
• Drive decision-making through timely and effective communication across all levels.
• Share projects with internal collaborators and at external events.
• Ensure the work environment and conditions are efficient for team performance and achieving results.

Key Requirements:

• MSc or PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent experience.
• Technical expert level with 10+ years’ experience ideally within cell line development and/or industrial R+D setting.
• A strong track record in developing ideas, gaining stake holder support and delivery.
• Proven experience in leading teams and leadership skills with excellent communication skills where you can work independently but also collaborate effectively.
• Wide-ranging background in leading projects and managing personnel.
• Substantial experience in molecular biology, specifically gene editing (e.g., CRISPR Cas) and genotype/phenotype characterisation (DNA/RNAseq, qPCR, flow cytometry), ideally in an R&D setting.
• Familiarity with mammalian cell culture techniques (transfection, maintenance, single cell isolation, automation for cell line screening, and fed batch).
• Consistent track record of delivering high-impact projects on time and with high quality.
• Experience working in cross-functional groups to transfer technology and support commercialisation.
• Good understanding of the competition and IP landscape relevant to the project.
• Ability to identify IP threats and opportunities in active projects or areas of expertise.
• Experience with directed evolution and automated screening applications in mammalian cells is helpful.