Lead Scientist Cell Expression Technologies

Lead Scientist Cell Expression Technologies

Lonza

Cambridge, United Kingdom

As Lead Scientist, you will lead innovative R&D projects developing industrially relevant CHO expression platforms for complex therapeutic proteins, with approximately 80% of your time spent hands-on in the laboratory.

What you will do:

• Lead key mammalian cell expression projects, spending approximately 80% of your time performing hands-on laboratory work and driving delivery of project goals.
• Develop and contribute to next-generation CHO-based expression hosts for the production of complex therapeutic proteins, including transferring new technologies towards GMP manufacturing.
• Engineer mammalian cell lines using approaches including random and targeted integration and CRISPR-based gene editing, and develop expression vectors using state-of-the-art molecular biology and assembly techniques.
• Characterise engineered cell lines using a range of analytical approaches, including NGS, ddPCR, qPCR, flow cytometry and advanced cell culture techniques.
• Analyse, evaluate and sign off experimental data, maintaining high-quality, traceable records and communicating findings through clear written and oral reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor junior scientists, supporting knowledge sharing, technical development and delivery of expression solutions.
• Build world-leading expertise in mammalian expression systems through technology development, idea generation, internal stakeholder engagement and ownership of proof-of-concept projects.

What we are looking for:

• A PhD or equivalent advanced scientific qualification, combined with relevant R&D experience in an academic or industrial environment.
• Strong practical expertise in CHO cell line engineering and mammalian expression system development.
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology, including the development and manipulation of expression systems.
• Experience using cell line engineering and characterisation techniques, with the ability to design, execute and interpret complex experiments.
• Demonstrated experience leading scientific projects, mentoring colleagues and contributing to technology development and transfer towards GMP manufacturing.
• Strong collaboration, communication and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to working across disciplines.
• Working knowledge of experimental design and statistics, with the ability to turn complex experimental data into clear, actionable conclusions.