Lead Scientist - Cell Expression

Lonza; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in life sciences seeks a Lead Scientist in Cambridge. This role involves leading projects in mammalian cell expression, mentoring junior scientists, and developing complex therapeutic proteins. Candidates should possess a PhD and strong backgrounds in molecular biology and cell culture. The opportunity includes a commitment to innovation and improving lives worldwide.

Benefits

Agile career opportunities

Dynamic working culture

Compensation programs

Variety of benefits

Qualifications

• PhD degree with relevant experience in an R&D setting.
• Practical R&D experience in academic or industrial settings.
• Strong technical background in molecular biology.

Responsibilities

• Lead key projects in mammalian cell line development.
• Mentor and support junior scientists.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Molecular biology

Mammalian cell culture

Project leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Experimental design

Education

PhD degree in relevant field

Tools

CRISPR

Flow cytometry

NGS

ddPCR

qPCR

Job description

Job Title: 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.

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Lonza is looking for a Lead Scientist with expertise in cell expression technologies to join our team developing next-generation, industrially relevant cell expression platforms. Based in Cambridge, you will spend approximately 80% of your time in the lab, leading projects, mentoring junior scientists, and contributing to innovative mammalian expression systems that support the production of complex therapeutic proteins.

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 at: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you will do:

• Lead key projects in mammalian cell line development, while spending the majority of your time (~80%) performing hands‑on lab work
• Mentor and support junior scientists within the team, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing
• Contribute to the delivery of new CHO‑based mammalian expression hosts for complex therapeutic protein production
• Engineer mammalian cell lines using random integration, targeted integration, and CRISPR‑based gene editing
• Generate mammalian expression vectors using state‑of‑the‑art assembly techniques
• Perform phenotypic characterisation of edited cell lines with assays such as NGS, ddPCR, qPCR, flow cytometry, and advanced cell culture techniques
• Collate, analyse, evaluate, and sign off data to produce high‑quality information and traceable records
• Present results in written and oral reports to internal stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams including R&D Process Development and Protein Analytics to deliver expression solutions

What we are looking for:

• PhD degree with relevant experience in an R&D setting
• Practical R&D experience in academic or industrial settings
• Strong technical background in molecular biology and mammalian cell culture for developing or manipulating expression systems
• Experience in cell line engineering
• Experience leading projects and mentoring junior scientists
• Familiarity with implementing automation for cell line screening
• Demonstrated contributions to technology development projects, with experience transferring new technologies to GMP manufacturing
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills and proactive problem‑solving approach
• Working knowledge of statistics and experimental design

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world and making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.