Principal Scientist & Team Lead

Lonza; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life sciences company in Cambridge is seeking a Principal Scientist and Team Lead to advance R&D capabilities, lead innovative scientific projects, and develop a team. The ideal candidate will have a PhD, 8+ years of experience in molecular biology, and expertise in recombinant protein production. This role offers a dynamic working culture, with a hands-on approach in the lab and the opportunity to influence future therapies.

Benefits

Agile career development

Inclusive workplace

Performance recognition programs

Qualifications

• 8+ years in applied research and/or industrial R&D environments.
• Proven experience leading scientific teams effectively.
• Consistent record of delivering high-quality scientific outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D project teams ensuring effective planning and execution.
• Coach and develop a team of scientists.
• Design and analyse experimental work for high-quality data.

Skills

Molecular and synthetic biology

Recombinant protein expression

Mammalian cell culture

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Molecular Biology or related field

Job description

Principal Scientist and Team Lead

Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom

The actual location of this job is in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

As a Principal Scientist and Team Lead, you will play a key role in advancing Lonza’s Vector Engineering R&D capabilities, leading innovative scientific projects and developing people, while contributing hands‑on expertise in recombinant protein production and mammalian cell culture.

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:

• Provide technical leadership to R&D project teams, ensuring effective planning, timely execution, and successful delivery of milestones.
• Lead and develop a small team of scientists through coaching, mentoring, and day‑to‑day scientific guidance.
• Design, execute, analyse, and approve experimental work to generate high‑quality data and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional R&D teams to deliver improvements and solutions in recombinant protein production.
• Maintain hands‑on laboratory involvement for at least 40% of the role, supporting experimental excellence.
• Contribute scientific content to internal reports, manuscripts, meetings, and conferences.
• Build and manage productive relationships with internal and external partners to support innovation and technology development.

What we are looking for:

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in applied research and/or industrial R&D environments.
• Strong technical expertise in molecular and synthetic biology, recombinant protein expression, and mammalian cell culture (including CHO and HEK293).
• Proven experience leading scientific teams, with the ability to communicate effectively across different levels and disciplines.
• Demonstrated success in driving ideas from concept through stakeholder alignment to delivery.
• Experience working in cross‑functional settings to support technology transfer and commercialisation.
• A consistent record of delivering high‑quality scientific outcomes on time.

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.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.