Research scientist graduate placement - UCB

UCB; England; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company in Slough is seeking a Research Scientist to lead a lab-scale study evaluating the reusability of a novel Protein A Expanded Bed Adsorption resin. The candidate should have a BSc or MSc in Biochemistry or Biotechnology and hands-on chromatography experience. This role offers a salary of £28,000 per annum and benefits including 28 days holiday, pension contributions, and onsite amenities. This position is for 1 year starting in November 2025.

Benefits

28 Days Holiday Allowance

Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%

Casual Dress

Employee Assistance Programme

Onsite Parking

Onsite Canteen

Paid Sick Leave

Days off for Volunteering

Employee Recognition / Awards

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with chromatography techniques, especially Protein A-based purification.
• Strong data analysis and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a structured experimental timeline.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize upstream shake flask cultures of CHO cells to generate feed material.
• Conduct feed stability studies under various storage conditions.
• Monitor resin performance and integrity throughout the study.

Skills

Chromatography techniques

Data analysis and documentation

Communication skills

Education

BSc or MSc in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field

Tools

HCP and Protein A ELISA

SEC

CEX

Job description

UCB are currently looking for highly motivated scientists to join the Early Development Sciences department at UCB’s UK Research and Development Hub in Slough. Working within Biologics Process Sciences you will be part of a team of scientists developing processes for the production of novel protein-based therapeutics for areas of unmet patient need.

Qualification Requirements

You must be agraduate with a degree in one of the following disciplines to be considered for this role:

• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Science

Salary - £28,000 per annum

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
• Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
• Casual Dress
• Employee assistance programme
• Onsite parking
• Onsite Canteen
• Paid sick leave
• Days off for volunteering
• Employee recognition / awards

Location - 208 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3WE until approximately August 2026 where UCB will move to new site Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PP

Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00am – 17:30pm with 1 hour unpaidlunch break.

10:00am – 15:30pm core working hours and making up the remaining time either side of these hours

Duration - 1 year

Start Date - 3rdNovember 2025

Closing Date for Applications - xx^thMonth Year

To Apply

Please click the apply now button to submit your CV and Cover Letter. If you have any difficulty in applying, please contact us at [e-mail]

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager along with your application form to decide who is brought through to the final interview.

Job Description

UCB are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Scientist to lead a lab-scale study evaluating the reusability of a novel Protein A Expanded Bed Adsorption (EBA) resin from Biotoolomics. This role is ideal for candidates with a strong background in chromatography, protein purification, and protein analytics.

Project Timeline:

Months 1–2: Process setup and feed stability testing

Months 3–8: Execution of reuse study

Months 9–10: Analytical testing and data interpretation

Months 10–12: Final reporting and presentation of results

Job Responsibilities

You will be responsible for laboratory-based activities using a range of cutting-edge scientific technologies. You will receive training in all techniques and will have your own mentor to provide help and advice during your time at UCB. You will help to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines. This represents a great opportunity to work in industry-leading laboratories at the cutting edge of drug development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize upstream shake flask cultures of CHO cells to generate feed material.
• Conduct feed stability studies under various storage conditions (freezing with glycerol, room temperature, and 2–8°C).
• Design and execute a 100-cycle EBA purification study at lab scale.
• Monitor resin performance and integrity throughout the study through product recoveries
• Perform product quality assessments including HCP and Protein A ELISA, DNA quantification, SEC, and CEX.
• Interpret data and contribute to reporting, including presentations and documentation of findings.

Candidate Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• BSc or MSc in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with chromatography techniques, especially Protein A-based purification.
• Familiarity with analytical assays for protein quality and impurity profiling.
• Strong data analysis and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a structured experimental timeline

Personal Qualities

• Ability to communicate openly and honestly
• Good record keeping and organisational skills
• Team player
• Enthusiasm
• Great communication skills
• Great organisational skills and attention to detail

Things To Be Considered

Please ensure that you are willing and able to live within commutable distance of the company site before applying. This placement is located in Slough, Cogent Skills Placements Service are managing the recruitment for this placement at our client's request, therefore we ask that applications are made through our website please. Please do not contact the Company directly.

About UCB

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.

UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.

Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.

UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives.