Associate Principal Scientist – Upstream Process Development (Temporary Maternity Cover)

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK, seeks an Associate Principal Scientist to lead upstream mammalian cell culture process development for critical CMC stages during a temporary maternity-cover role. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, drive robust designs, and deliver scalable processes to de-risk manufacturing and enable clinical supply.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, scale-up, and technology transfer while aligning with safety, quality and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Degree in biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, biotechnology or a related field with substantial industry experience.
• Strong theoretical and practical expertise in mammalian upstream process development, preferably CHO.
• Hands-on aseptic cell culture, inoculum expansion and bench-scale or high-throughput bioreactor systems.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, analyse and report complex process-development studies.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments, statistical analysis and data-driven process optimisation.
• Experience contributing to CMC development, technical reports, process documentation or regulatory content.
• Ability to lead work through matrix teams and manage concurrent priorities with evidence-based recommendations.
• Understanding of Safety, Health & Environment, quality and compliance in pharma R&D.

Responsibilities

• Own upstream process development work packages across development cycles with delivery plans and governance.
• Design, coordinate and interpret CHO-based inoculum, fed-batch and perfusion studies, including media optimisation and process intensification.
• Oversee high-throughput and bench-scale bioreactor work with Ambr platforms and stirred-tank systems.
• Apply mechanistic understanding, DoE and multivariate analysis to identify drivers and optimise operating ranges.
• Integrate growth, viability and product data to inform next steps with clear evidence.
• Contribute to multi-omics and metabolic modelling for media/feed strategies.
• Lead documentation, SOPs and governance for regulatory submissions.
• Represent upstream development in cross-functional project teams and coordinate inputs from analytical, formulation, manufacturing, QA, regulatory.
• Support scale-up and technology transfer to internal and external partners with transfer packages.
• Manage concurrent internal/external activities ensuring efficient portfolio delivery.
• Provide mentoring and matrix leadership to colleagues without direct line management.
• Drive laboratory operational excellence and digital record keeping.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Design of Experiments

Data-driven optimisation

Matrix leadership

Scale-up planning

Education

Biochemical engineering degree

Bioprocessing background

Tools

Ambr platform

Stirred-tank bioreactors

JMP

Python

Job description

Associate Principal Scientist – Upstream Process Development (Temporary Maternity Cover)

Are you ready to lead upstream science that shapes robust, scalable biologics processes and accelerates medicines to patients? Based in Cambridge, UK, this temporary maternity-cover role ensures continuity and momentum for key programs by owning upstream mammalian cell culture process development through critical CMC stages.

You will connect day-to-day experimentation with strategic delivery, translating cell culture insights into decisions that de-risk manufacturing and enable clinical supply. Working through matrix teams rather than direct line management, you will coordinate scientists, technicians and operators while partnering closely with analytical, formulation, engineering, manufacturing, quality and regulatory experts.

In this role you will plan, execute and interpret CHO-based fed-batch and perfusion studies, drive process intensification and media/feed optimization, and guide scale-up and technology transfer to internal facilities and external partners. How will you apply data-driven methods and mechanistic understanding to define operating ranges that stand up in the plant?

Accountabilities

• Scientific Leadership across CMC: Own upstream process development work packages across development cycles, maintaining delivery plans, milestones and governance commitments to keep programs on track.
• Mammalian Cell Culture Design: Design, coordinate and interpret CHO-based inoculum, fed-batch and perfusion studies, including media and feed optimization and process intensification, to improve productivity and robustness.
• Laboratory Execution Oversight: Plan and oversee high-throughput and bench-scale bioreactor work using ambr platforms and stirred-tank bioreactors, ensuring scientific rigor, traceable documentation, quality and agreed timelines.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Apply mechanistic understanding, Design of Experiments, multivariate analysis and modelling to identify process drivers, define operating ranges, assess robustness and inform risk-based decisions.
• Product and Process Insight: Integrate growth, viability, metabolism, productivity, product quality and stability data to draw authoritative conclusions and recommend next steps with clear evidence.
• Systems Biology and Modelling Support: Contribute to multi-omics and metabolic modelling initiatives that inform media/feed strategies and process optimization where required.
• Documentation and Governance: Lead preparation, review and approval of experimental plans, SOPs, data records, development reports, process descriptions and CMC documentation suitable for governance and regulatory submissions.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Represent upstream development on project and CMC teams, communicating progress, risks and recommendations while coordinating timely input from analytical, formulation, manufacturing, quality, regulatory and project management partners.
• Scale-Up and Technology Transfer: Support transfers to internal manufacturing, CMOs and external partners, including authoring transfer packages, troubleshooting and on-the-floor manufacturing support.
• Portfolio and External Management: Manage concurrent internal and external activities, balancing resources and scientific risk to maintain efficient portfolio delivery.
• Mentoring and Matrix Leadership: Provide day-to-day technical guidance, training and coordination to less-experienced colleagues through matrix ways of working; no direct line management.
• Platform and Operational Excellence: Drive laboratory operational excellence, evaluate equipment and technologies, champion digital record keeping and continuous improvement to sustain an effective upstream platform.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure adherence to Safety, Health and Environment requirements, quality systems, Good Laboratory Science practices and company standards.
• Flexibility in Operations: Support occasional weekend or extended hours for active cell culture or manufacturing campaigns and collaborate across time zones; occasional travel to other sites or partner facilities.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Degree in biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, biotechnology, biology or a related scientific discipline, with substantial relevant industry experience.
• Strong theoretical and practical expertise in mammalian upstream process development, preferably using CHO cell culture.
• Hands-on experience with aseptic cell culture, inoculum expansion and bench-scale or high-throughput bioreactor systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, analyse and report complex process-development studies.
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiments, statistical analysis and data-driven process optimisation.
• Experience contributing to CMC development, technical reports, process documentation or regulatory-supporting content.
• Ability to lead work through matrix teams, manage concurrent priorities and communicate clear, evidence-based scientific recommendations.
• Understanding of Safety, Health & Environment, quality and compliance requirements in a pharmaceutical R&D laboratory.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• PhD or master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Experience across early and later CMC development cycles, process characterisation, scale-up or technology transfer.
• Experience with ambr250 or comparable high-throughput platforms and stirred-tank bioreactors.
• Knowledge of perfusion, process intensification, media or feed development.
• Proficiency with JMP, SIMCA, Design-Expert, Python, MATLAB or comparable analytical tools.
• Experience with systems biology, multi-omics or metabolic modelling.
• Experience working with contract research organisations, contract manufacturing organisations and global project teams.

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. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from 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.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca, you will follow the science to tackle complex disease, shaping upstream processes that help promising biologics reach patients sooner. You will work in an environment that brings unexpected teams together to spark bold ideas, fusing deep biology with data, digital tools and AI to improve development decisions and predict clinical success more effectively. Here, curiosity and courage are valued alongside kindness; you will be trusted to explore, learn and make evidence-led choices, with the tools, partnerships and pipeline of a leading research-driven company. Your contribution in the lab and at the bench will ripple through clinical supply and commercial readiness, creating tangible impact on healthcare.

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.