Scientist - Upstream Process Development


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£200 to £260 a day
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, SL1 3WE
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	26 Aug 2026
Closing date:	16 Sept 2026

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Summary

Your new company

As an Upstream Process Scientist, you'll be joining a well-established global biopharmaceutical organisation in the Reading / Slough / London area developing innovative biologic therapies. You'll be part of a multidisciplinary process sciences team focused on advancing manufacturing processes for antibodies and proteins from early development through to technology transfer and manufacturing support.

Your new role

As an Associate Scientist / Research Scientist in the Upstream Process Development team, you will support the development, optimisation, and scale-up of mammalian cell culture processes for biologics manufacturing.

This is initially a 12 month contract that is likely to extend and is fully lab-based.

Key responsibilities include:

Designing and carrying out upstream process development studies using mammalian cell culture systems (eg CHO)

Applying DoE and QbD approaches to process optimisation and characterisation

Operating shake flasks, Ambr® platforms, and laboratory-scale bioreactors to generate high-quality process data

Supporting scale-up activities, process troubleshooting, technology transfer, and manufacturing support programmes for antibody and protein therapeutics

Using automation and high-throughput technologies to improve process development efficiency

Analysing experimental data and communicating findings to project teams and stakeholders

Preparing technical reports, protocols, presentations, and scientific documentation

Collaborating with cell line development, analytical sciences, downstream development, manufacturing, and external partners

What you'll need to succeed

A successful candidate will combine practical upstream development experience with strong scientific and problem-solving skills.You should also have:

A BSc or MSc (or equivalent experience) in Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline

Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and biologics process development, preferably in an industry setting, eg biotech, CRO or pharmaceutical company

Experience working with mammalian cell culture and therapeutic protein production, experience with CHO cells is an advantage

Practical experience operating Ambr systems and/or laboratory-scale bioreactors

Understanding of process characterisation, scale-up principles, and upstream process optimisation

Experience applying DoE and statistical analysis approaches

Strong troubleshooting and scientific problem-solving capability

Experience using automation technologies, digital tools, or laboratory data management systems

Excellent communication and technical writing skills

The following would be advantageous, but are not required:

Perfusion reactor experience

Technology transfer or manufacturing support experience

Exposure to downstream processing or integrated process development

ALL candidates must have the right to work in the UK until at least October 2027 and preferably beyond - no sponsorship is available for this role.

Candidates without this will not be considered.

What you'll get in return

You'll get the chance to work in a well-established and experienced team on projects that will make a real impact to the company's operations and patients in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.

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.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Keywords: Upstream, Process, Development, USP, Scientist, Research, Pharmaceutical, Bioprocess, Mammalian, Cell, Culture, CHO, Bioreactor, Ambr, Biologic, Antibody, Pharmaceutical, R&D, Protein, Therapeutics, Optimisation, Characterisation, Scaleup, Manufacturing, Transfer, Perfusion, Automation, Biotechnology, Engineering, DoE, Statistics, GMP, Data

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