Lead Scientist Cell & Molecular Scientist

Lonza; Cambridge; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Inclusive workplace

Benefits package

Job summary

Lonza in Cambridge invites applications for Lead Scientist – Cell Expression Technologies. You will lead R&D projects, spend most of your time hands-on in the lab, and drive delivery of CHO-based expression solutions for complex therapeutics, with close collaboration across teams.

You will mentor colleagues, develop next-generation expression hosts, and contribute to GMP‑manufacturing readiness while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced scientific qualification with relevant R&D experience.
• Strong CHO cell line engineering and mammalian expression system development expertise.
• Hands-on molecular biology experience with expression system development.

Responsibilities

• Lead key mammalian cell expression projects, with ~80% hands-on lab work.
• Develop next-generation CHO-based expression hosts for therapeutic proteins.
• Engineer mammalian cell lines using CRISPR and vector development techniques.
• Characterise engineered lines using NGS, ddPCR, qPCR and flow cytometry.
• Analyse data, maintain records and report findings clearly to teams.
• Mentor junior scientists and collaborate across cross-functional teams.

Skills

CHO cell line engineering

Mammalian expression system dev

Molecular biology techniques

Experimental design & statistics

Project leadership & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

CRISPR-based gene editing

Education

PhD or equivalent advanced scientific qualification

Tools

CRISPR gene editing

NGS

ddPCR

qPCR

Flow cytometry

Job description

United Kingdom, Cambridge

Lead Scientist – Cell Expression Technologies

Location. Cambridge, UK

The actual location of this job is in Cambridge, UK. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

Join Lonza’s team in Cambridge and help shape the next generation of mammalian cell expression technologies. 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.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What You Will Get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location.

The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.

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.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Reference: R78361