Senior Scientist Upstream Process Research Mammalian Cell Culture and Single-Use Bioreactors

Senior Scientist Upstream Process Research Mammalian Cell Culture and Single-Use Bioreactors

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Stevenage, United Kingdom

Summarised Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with strong hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, bioreactor operation, and upstream process delivery to join the Upstream Process Research (UPR) team at client's Biologics Process Research (BPR) in Stevenage.

BPR plays a central role in the early phase biologics portfolio delivering high-quality clonal cell lines and reliable processes to enable technology transfer and the production of clinical material.

This is a primarily lab-based role focused on operating single-use bioreactor systems to culture mammalian cells, supporting robust delivery of material for research and downstream applications and the creation of robust manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will be an organised, proactive experimental scientist with excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor single-use bioreactor systems for mammalian cell culture processes, with a primary focus on CHO cell lines;
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot upstream cell culture experiments, including seed train expansion, bioreactor setup, inoculation, feeding strategies, sampling, and harvest;
• Apply strong aseptic technique and good cell culture practice to maintain robust, contamination-free operations;
• Generate, analyze, and interpret process and cell culture data, including growth, viability, metabolite, titre, and process performance trends;
• Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records in laboratory notebooks and data systems;
• Work effectively both independently and as part of multidisciplinary matrix teams, collaborating with downstream processing, analytics, automation, and project biology colleagues.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Cell Biology, or a related discipline, with relevant laboratory experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector;
• Hands-on experience culturing mammalian cells, ideally CHO cell lines, in shake flask and single-use bioreactor formats;
• Demonstrated experience operating single-use bioreactor systems and associated equipment such as controllers, tubing assemblies, pumps, probes, sensors, and sampling systems;
• Strong understanding of upstream process parameters and their impacts, including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, agitation, feeding, osmolality, metabolites etc.;
• Familiarity with aseptic technique, bioreactor preparation, medium and feed handling, sterile connections etc.;
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to identify trends, troubleshoot process performance, and communicate findings clearly;
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage workload, coordinate experiments, and meet agreed timelines;
• Proven flexibility, collaborative mindset, and strong teamwork abilities;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills combined with record keeping and attention to detail.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with high-throughput or automated mammalian cell culture workflows. Experience with ambr automation systems;
• Experience with process development, scale-down models, or optimization of fed-batch or intensified mammalian cell culture processes;
• Familiarity with analytical methods used to assess upstream process performance, such as cell counts, metabolite analysis, titre measurement, or product quality assays;
• Experience working with data analysis, electronic laboratory notebooks, or digital systems used to capture bioprocess data;
• Awareness of good documentation practice and regulated biopharmaceutical working practices.