Chief Technologist – Downstream Processing

Centre for Process Innovation Limited; Redcar; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK innovation center is seeking a Chief Technologist – Separation and Purification Processes to influence bioprocess development and scale-up. This role involves providing scientific leadership in developing scalable manufacturing solutions and mentoring teams. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in biotechnology with proven experience in GMP translation and innovation in biomanufacturing processes. Competitive salary and excellent benefits are offered, including a generous holiday scheme.

Benefits

Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays

Life assurance and accident insurance schemes

Qualifications

• Significant industrial experience in the scale up of separation and purification processes.
• Proven ability to guide GMP translation, process control, and technology transfer.
• Chartered or Fellow status within a relevant professional body.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and engineering leadership to drive innovation.
• Guide the translation of processes into regulated environments.
• Mentor and coach scientists and engineers to build capability.

Skills

Bioprocess development and scale-up

GMP translation

Scientific rigour

Strategic vision

Collaborative leadership

Education

Degree in Biochemical Engineering or Biotechnology

Job description

Chief Technologist – Separation and Purification Processes

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions areality. We’re ateam of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world abetter place.

Why this role is important for CPI’swork

We have an exciting opportunity for aChief Technologist – Separation and Purification Processes to join our growing team, working across CPI ’s National Biologics Manufacturing Centre in Darlington and Biotechnology facilities in Wilton.

As CPI ’s recognised expert in the development of robust, scalable processes to recover and purify products from arange of biological and chemical processes, you will provide strategic and technical leadership to abroad range of projects, working across the full bioprocessing continuum—from microbial and mammalian systems to enzymatic and RNA-based platforms, whilst also working on the development of processes outside of the bioprocessing space in support of CPI ’s broader sustainable materials capabilities.

You will play acentral role in shaping CPI ’s capabilities in separation and purification processes, translating innovative research into scalable, sustainable, and regulatorily compliant manufacturing solutions. Acting as avisible technical authority both inside and outside of CPI , you’ll guide project delivery, mentor colleagues, and strengthen CPI ’s reputation as a UK leader in advanced manufacturing.

Key tasks in the role will include (but are not limited to the below), please download the job description for full details available on the CPI careers page :

Provide scientific and engineering leadership to drive innovation across the design, optimisation, and scale-up of novel processes, working alongside colleagues in the upstream process development and engineering teams to develop integrated solutions.

Guide the translation of processes into regulated environments, ensuring compliance, robustness, and commercial readiness.

Partner with multidisciplinary teams to deliver end-to-end process solutions, bridging R & D and manufacturing environments.

Anticipate emerging process technologies and shape CPI ’s capability roadmap across the Biologics and Biotechnology Centres.

Represent CPI as anational technical authority in industrial and academic forums, contributing to consortia, publications, and conferences.

Mentor and coach scientists and engineers, building astrong internal capability base across bioprocessing disciplines.

Provide expert input into bids, collaborations, and strategic programmes, ensuring CPI remains at the forefront of next-generation manufacturing.

The person we are seeking

You’ll be arecognised expert in the development of separation and purification processes for advanced manufacturing, with aparticular expertise in biotechnology and biologics manufacturing. You will possess the depth and breadth to guide development from discovery through to implementation in both regulated ( GMP , Food & Feed) and unregulated industries. You’ll combine scientific rigour, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership to accelerate innovation and capability growth.

Essential skills and experience:

Degree (or higher) in Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or arelated discipline.

Significant industrial experience in the scale up of separation and purification processes, with specific experience in bioprocess development and scale-up, ideally across microbial and mammalian systems.

Proven ability to guide GMP translation, process control, and technology transfer.

Broad understanding of integrated bioprocessing, including upstream, downstream, and analytical interfaces.

Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical programmes and influence across multi‑disciplinary teams.

Chartered or Fellow status within arelevant professional body (e.g., IChemE, ISPE , ESACT ).

Evidence of national or international engagement in biologics and biotechnology innovation networks.

Why Join CPI ?

At CPI , you’ll join acollaborative community of scientists, engineers, and innovators shaping the future of biomanufacturing. Working across two national centres of excellence, you’ll help define the next generation of biologics and biotechnology processes that drive sustainable impact.

We offer acompetitive salary, excellent benefits, and aculture that values innovation, inclusion, and continuous professional growth.

Ready to help shape the future of bioprocess innovation?
Apply today and join us at CPI —where ideas become reality.

What does CPI offeryou?

At CPI , we offer awide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes

CPI is an organisation based in the UK . Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK , sponsorship may be available.