Product Development Scientist

Portal Biotech; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Biotech Limited is seeking a Product Development Scientist to join the DevOps‑led Product Development team at our White City HQ in London. You will help shape biological components into defined products, including formulation, packaging, storage and launch readiness.

This hands‑on lab role focuses on planned stability studies, lot‑to‑lot comparisons and performance runs on our nanopore platform, supported by electrophysiology and large‑dataset analysis.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc (or equivalent) in a life sciences discipline.
• Hands-on experience developing, optimising or testing biological/enzymatic products or workflows.
• Experience running structured, repeat studies with careful record-keeping.
• Experience analysing larger datasets using Python, R or similar, with a grounding in statistics.

Responsibilities

• Plan, run and report stability and shelf-life studies, including real-time, accelerated and in-use studies.
• Shape product formulations, component formats, kit configurations, specifications and performance metrics.
• Run repeated, well-controlled performance testing on the platform using electrophysiology and data analysis.
• Analyse and trend large experimental datasets using Python or similar, applying statistics to support product decisions.
• Troubleshoot and improve performance, robustness and reproducibility.
• Define what each product will need to launch, including specifications and documentation.
• Write protocols, reports and SOPs, and support method transfer to Biologics production.
• Collaborate with Biologics, platform, engineering, data science and R&D teams.

Skills

Biochemistry

Biophysics

Molecular biology

Proteomics

Bioengineering

Data analysis

Education

BSc / MSc or equivalent in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, proteomics, bioengineering or related discipline

Tools

Python

R

Job description

Position Overview

We are looking for a Product Development Scientist to join our Product Development efforts in the DevOps team at our headquarters in Scale Space, White City, London. You will help shape our biological components and workflows into products. That means defining how they are formulated, packaged, stored and specified, and building the evidence that they perform reliably over time.

This is a structured, hands-on lab role, not an exploratory research one. Much of the work is planned, repeated testing on our nanopore platform: stability studies, lot-to-lot comparisons and performance runs, all supported by electrophysiology and analysis of large datasets. It suits someone who likes rigour and consistency, understands what it takes to get a product ready for launch, and wants to help build that capability as we grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, run and report stability and shelf-life studies, including real-time, accelerated and in-use studies, and help define storage and shipping conditions.
• Help shape the product: formulation, component format, kit configuration, specifications and performance metrics.
• Run repeated, well-controlled performance testing on the platform using electrophysiology, including lot-to-lot, robustness and comparability studies.
• Analyse and trend large experimental datasets using Python or similar, applying statistics to support product decisions.
• Troubleshoot and improve performance, robustness and reproducibility.
• Identify what each product will need to launch, including specifications, test methods, stability data and documentation, and help build it within our eQMS.
• Write protocols, reports and SOPs, and support method transfer to the Biologics production team.
• Work closely with Biologics, platform, engineering, data science and R&D colleagues.

Requirements

• A BSc, MSc or equivalent industry experience in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, proteomics, bioengineering or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience developing, optimising or testing biological or enzymatic products, assays or workflows.
• Experience running structured, repeated studies (e.g. stability, robustness or lot comparisons) with careful execution and record-keeping.
• Experience analysing larger datasets using Python, R or similar, with a good grounding in statistics.
• An understanding of what a biological product needs to be launched and supported, or a strong interest in building that knowledge.
• The ability to work independently while contributing well to a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Electrophysiology experience, ideally with nanopore or single-channel recordings.
• Experience in product development within a QMS (e.g. ISO 13485, ISO 9001, IVD or life science tools), including specifications, design verification or method transfer.
• Experience with formulation, reagent or kit development, or packaging and shipping studies.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques (e.g. HPLC/FPLC).

Portal is an equal opportunities employer. We are enriched by our diversity and are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and life experiences.

• If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.