Senior Scientist (Protein Expression and Cell Engineering)

Join our Biopharmaceuticals R&D team as a Senior Scientist, where you will be responsible for the operation of single-use bioreactor systems to produce recombinant proteins. You will also be involved in the further development and improvement of protein expression technologies, including cell line engineering. This is a great opportunity to be part of a team that follows the science unlike anywhere else, pushing the boundaries and celebrating both successes and failures along the way.

As a Senior Scientist, you will have a hands-on laboratory role as part of a cross-functional team. Your responsibilities will include plasmid DNA production in microbial systems, routine maintenance/passage of mammalian cell cultures for bioreactor inoculum generation, and maintaining and operating bench-scale and large-scale bioreactor systems. You will also participate in the development of new technologies and processes associated with protein expression and bioreactor processing.

The team

The Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences (CCFS) department is made up of interdisciplinary teams collectively responsible for design, generation and selection of optimal manufacturing cell lines and processes for production of biologics. The Upstream Bioprocess Development team (UBD) within CCFS is responsible for generating recombinant proteins to support internal projects at all stages of Drug Discovery. The team also focuses on developing, optimizing and transferring well characterised scalable bioreactor processes for manufacture of recombinant proteins for use as human therapeutics.

• Relevant university degree or equivalent experience (e.g., BSc/MSc/PhD) in life science, biochemical engineering or bioprocessing related subject area, with relevant industrial experience.


• Experience in plasmid DNA production in microbial systems and molecular biology related techniques.


• Experience in mammalian cell culture and protein expression in an industrial environment (CHO and/or HEK cell culture preferred).


• Developing and troubleshooting mammalian expression systems as well as addressing protein expression issues.


• Good problem-solving skills through formal channels and informal networks.


• An adaptable teammate and leader capable of working to tight deadlines and exacting standards.


• Enthusiastic, flexible and willing to learn.


• High level of attention to detail.


• Proactive communicator.


• Good organisational and planning skills.


Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in cell engineering.


• Experience with bioreactor systems for mammalian suspension cell culture and/or microbial systems (bench scale to large scale).


• Experience in the use of data science tools for the investigation and design of bioprocesses e.g., JMP / Design-Expert.


When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. This is a lab based role with five days per week in the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to making a difference. We have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. It's our combination of curiosity and courage that drives us, inspired by the possibility of doing things that have never been done before. We work seamlessly as one, expanding our horizons and uniting the best from academia, biotechs and the industry. It's by coming together and using our diverse, global knowledge that we can create the greatest and swiftest impact on disease.

Competitive salary and benefits package