Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead

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

Job summary

A global leader in life sciences is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead in Cambridge. You will lead innovative projects, manage a team of scientists, and drive scientific rigor in product development. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in relevant fields and extensive experience in managing teams within an R&D setting. This role offers the opportunity to impact global health positively.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in managing teams.
• 10+ years of technical expertise in relevant fields.
• Experience with automated screening applications in mammalian cells is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Manage a small team of scientists and foster collaboration.
• Maintain scientific rigor and GMP requirements in project development.

Skills

Team management

Technical leadership

Molecular biology expertise

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Cell Biology, Virology, or Molecular Biology

Tools

CRISPR Cas

DNA/RNA sequencing

Flow cytometry

Job description

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Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead, Cambridge

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Client:

Location:

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

c211ab41a85d

Job Views:

5

Posted:

25.08.2025

Expiry Date:

09.10.2025

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Job Description:

Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead

Location: Slough

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Join Lonza AG as a Senior Principal Scientist and Group Lead, a key member of our mammalian expression system R&D COE. Lead innovative host cell line projects from concept to delivery.

Key responsibilities:

Provide technical leadership to scientific project teams centered on delivering proprietary host cell line solutions.

Directly manage a small team of scientists, providing clarity, motivation, and support to continuously improve and develop.

Incorporate scientific ideas from diverse sources into novel concepts, ensuring agreement from business units and operations.

Plan and complete innovation projects, proactively managing uncertainties.

Cultivate and uphold strong working connections with essential functional collaborators.

Ensure scientific rigor and GMP requirements are maintained in project development.

Maintain accurate and timely records to appropriate quality standards for yourself and your team.

Prepare high-quality technical analyses and reports for internal and external use.

Drive decision-making through timely and effective communication across all levels.

Share projects with internal collaborators and at external events.

Ensure the work environment and conditions are efficient for team performance and achieving results.

Key requirements:

PhD in Cell Biology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent experience.

5-8 years of experience in managing teams.

Technical expert level with 10+ years of experience.

Wide-ranging background in leading projects and managing personnel.

Substantial experience in molecular biology, specifically gene editing (e.g., CRISPR Cas) and genotype/phenotype characterization (DNA/RNAseq, qPCR, flow cytometry), ideally in an R&D setting.

Familiarity with mammalian cell culture techniques (transfection, maintenance, single cell isolation, automation for cell line screening, and fed batch).

Enthusiasm and motivation for tackling very challenging problems.

Proven track record of delivering high-impact projects on time and with high quality.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Experience working in cross-functional groups to transfer technology and support commercialization.

Good understanding of the competition and IP landscape relevant to the project.

Ability to identify IP threats and opportunities in active projects or areas of expertise.

Experience with directed evolution and automated screening applications in mammalian cells is advantageous.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reference: R69890