Scientist

Talentmark; Great Abington; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Nxera Pharma is seeking an enthusiastic Scientist to join the Cell Culture and Protein Expression Facility at Granta Park, Cambridge. The role is hands-on, focusing on maintaining and scaling mammalian and insect cell cultures to generate high-quality expression material for drug discovery programs.

You will apply robust aseptic techniques, support BEVS workflows, and collaborate with colleagues across protein sciences and drug discovery to meet project priorities.

Qualifications

• MSc in Biological Sciences or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in mammalian and/or insect cell culture (adherent or suspension).
• Aseptic technique and contamination control experience.
• Strong organisational, proactive, and independent work style.
• Experience with Western blotting, flow cytometry, or related molecular techniques is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian and insect cell cultures at scale for protein expression.
• Generate expression material and support BEVS workflows.
• Collaborate with protein sciences and drug discovery teams.
• Maintain records and manage lab consumables and stock.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Insect cell culture

Aseptic technique

Molecular biology techniques

Western blotting

Flow cytometry

BEVS workflows

Project management

Education

MSc in Biological Sciences

Job description

Talentmark are working in partnership with Nxera Pharma, to recruit a Scientist - Cell Culture and Protein Expression, on a full-time, permanent basis.

Location:

Granta Park, Cambridge. You willbe fully site-based, five days per week.

About the company:

Nxera Pharma is a technology-powered, global biopharmaceutical company advancing next-generation small molecule therapies from hit finding through early clinical development. The company combines deep GPCR biology expertise with structure-based drug design to generate highly differentiated, high-quality molecules with strong translational potential.

Powered by its proprietary NxStar platform, Nxera's discovery engine integrates structural biology, receptor pharmacology, computational design, and medicinal chemistry to unlock challenging GPCR targets. This platform-driven approach enables smart molecule design, rapid iteration, and disciplined progression into development.

About the role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic Scientist to join our Cell Culture and Protein Expression Facility. In this hands‑on role, you will maintain and scale mammalian and insect cell cultures, generate high‑quality expression material and help advance protein production for drug discovery programmes.

You will work closely with scientists across multidisciplinary project teams, applying robust aseptic techniques and reliable cell culture workflows. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the delivery of recombinant proteins while developing your expertise in cell culture, protein expression and associated quality‑control methods.

Responsibilities will include:

• Maintain adherent and suspension mammalian and insect cell cultures using rigorous aseptic technique.
• Expand cultures to the scale required for protein expression and project delivery.
• Monitor culture health, identify issues and take appropriate action to minimise contamination and maintain consistent performance.
• Maintain accurate records and support daily operations including maintaining stock and ordering laboratory consumables.
• Generate and amplify baculovirus using Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS) workflows.
• Perform transient transfection and baculovirus‑mediated protein expression.
• Collaborate with colleagues across protein sciences and drug discovery teams to meet project priorities.

Skills and Experience:

• MSc in Biological Sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Strong practical experience in mammalian and/or insect cell culture, including adherent and suspension systems.
• Working knowledge of aseptic technique, contamination control and cell culture troubleshooting.
• A careful, organised and proactive approach, with the ability to manage priorities and work both independently and collaboratively to manage project timelines successfully.
• Experience in an industry laboratory, performing a range of Molecular Biology techniques is highly desirable, including hands‑on experience with Western blotting, fluorescence size‑exclusion chromatography, flow cytometry (FACS) or ligand‑binding assays.