Principal Formulation Development Scientist I - Oxford

Immunocore; Swindon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotech company in Swindon is looking for a Principal Formulation Development Scientist to drive innovation in formulation development and drug delivery. The successful candidate will manage complex experiments and contribute to the scientific strategy while having a strong background in biopharmaceuticals. This role requires a PhD in a relevant field and at least 8+ years of industry experience, focusing on recombinant protein formulation and drug delivery approaches. Strong people management and technical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD with 8+ years related industry experience.
• Experience in formulation study design.
• Strong expertise in biochemical laboratory techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental investigations for biopharmaceuticals.
• Develop integrated formulation strategies for drug delivery.
• Conduct compatibility studies with patient delivery systems.

Skills

Background in recombinant protein formulation

Experience in drug delivery of biologics

Expertise in electrophoretic or chromatographic assays

Proactive in quality assurance

Education

PhD in bio-manufacturing or related discipline

Job description

Principal Formulation Development Scientist I - Oxford

Overview

Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial‑stage T‑cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines that address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry's most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first‑in‑class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision‑engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients' lives, advancing medicine and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Immunocore is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Role Overview

The primary purpose of this role is to serve as a recognised technical leader in formulation development, leveraging extensive experience and expert knowledge to drive innovation and contribute to the company's scientific strategy. The incumbent is expected to advocate for process, platform and technology improvements, and apply advanced knowledge of scientific principles and the drug development process to solve extremely complex problems. They will exercise independent judgement in developing methods and techniques, consistently making the right calls to achieve results.

This position will be responsible for conducting and designing experimental investigations to support a low and high dose parenteral biopharmaceutical, and for developing and managing integrated formulation strategies that support Immunocore's biopharmaceutical platforms. The formulation role will be a hands‑on role, primarily focussed on laboratory work designing and performing experimental work.

It will also cover drug delivery approaches, investigate novel technologies such as LNP, PEGylation and other delivery systems applicable to biologics.

The role will cover early stressing studies, formulants excipient screening, CMC process support, drug substance and drug product through to compatibility with final patient delivery systems. It will support and direct IUS studies and progress the clinical programmes, and respond to main stakeholders such as Clinical and Regulatory teams in the delivery of the clinical strategies.

To work in close collaboration with the Head of Formulation, CMC teams and related functions to input into the formulation related sections for regulatory filings, development reports and other development related documents.

Advanced people‑management skills are essential, including managing changing priorities while maintaining team motivation. The incumbent will create a safe environment for learning from mistakes, establish clear career paths and hold career‑development conversations. They will engage in difficult conversations where appropriate, inspire action and show employees how they contribute to higher goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments, observe, interpret and respond to results.
• Maintain and increase technical knowledge in relevant fields through self‑study, observation, attending conferences and training courses.
• Maintain accurate records of all work by completing laboratory notebooks on time, following company procedures.
• Ensure that laboratory equipment is operated in accordance with safety and risk guidelines; act promptly to report any faults or problems to the relevant member of staff.
• Operate in accordance with the company's Health and Safety policies, especially within a laboratory environment.

Specific Responsibilities

• Experiments: independently test and increasingly lead lines of investigation. Propose new experiments based on emerging data and other related information. Provide support on technical aspects to others.
• Develop drug delivery approaches for the biologics portfolio.
• Bring in new technologies exploring new administration approaches.
• Conduct and design experiments to establish formulations for the TCR platform API and IMP.
• Lead and direct pre‑formulation, cycle 1, 2 and 3 activities.
• Conduct drug presentation studies to evaluate alternative drug administration routes (e.g., subcutaneously).
• Represent formulation in CMC teams.
• Investigate compatibility of drug product through delivery devices for patient administration.
• Investigations in novel drug delivery formats.
• Perform testing and develop test methods to support stability and formulation studies.
• Carry out and optimise production of recombinant protein supportive reagents, including conjugations.
• Communicate key findings to managers and scientists in other groups.
• Review / sign‑off of routine assays.
• Write SOPs.
• Contribute to regulatory documentation.
• Participate in laboratory maintenance.
• Perform IUS studies.
• Perform clinical compatibility studies.
• Direct investigations into IUS clinical site excursion event impacts.
• Identify new external scientific technology and collaborations.
• Introduce new science into the group.
• Priorities: establish priorities for own work and team‑based projects; make decisions on prioritisation based on the overall goals of the team, department and project, using direct evidence and personal experience as guidance.
• Technical Knowledge: share knowledge with the wider team and, across departments, represent the department both internally and externally. May also act as a mentor or manager to other colleagues, especially new hires, sharing scientific and company knowledge. Increasingly provide analysis of new techniques and theories from outside the company to advance the way the company works; share these with leaders across the company.
• Laboratory Records: ensure that all records and information are up to date, on time and recorded to the correct standard. Support and encourage others to achieve this.
• Laboratory Equipment: provide technical guidance to others within the team on how to use equipment most effectively; make recommendations regarding acquisition of new pieces of equipment.
• Health & Safety: champion and help others understand H&S within the company, providing ad‑hoc training as required.
• Reporting: communicate and present research findings at meetings with colleagues, senior management and partners.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Background in recombinant protein or antibody formulation, drug delivery of biologics, analytical development or protein characterisation, with proven industry experience and exposure to formulation strategies.
• Experience in design of formulation studies, including utilisation of design of experiments principles.
• Strong expertise in electrophoretic or chromatographic assays and general biochemical laboratory techniques.

Desirable

• Experience in process development for production of biologics and conjugation of biomolecules.
• Experience with lyophilisation development of biotherapeutics.
• Familiar with biopharmaceutical stability study principles.
• Familiarity with novel drug delivery formats.
• Proactive in ensuring high quality of work and seeking additional responsibilities to help meet the goals of the team.
• Presented detailed scientific findings and papers to internal and external audiences.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in bio‑manufacturing, protein engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology or related discipline.
• Industrial company experience delivering formulations through drug development phases.
• Normally requires a PhD in a scientific discipline and a minimum of 8+ years related experience; may include post‑doctoral experience.