Senior Principal Scientist, Global Process Development

Lonza; Slough; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Lonza in Slough, UK invites a Senior Principal Scientist to lead multidisciplinary process development projects for biologic drug substances. You will align sites across a global network, guiding technology changes and optimization with hands-on scientific leadership.

The role emphasizes upstream/downstream expertise, matrix team leadership, and data-driven decision making, with on-site work and up to 20% remote flexibility. A PhD is preferred and business fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in bioprocessing, with a strong background in downstream processing and biologic drug substance development.
• Proven track record leading complex multidisciplinary projects and matrix teams.
• Experience with multivariate data analysis, process optimization and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary projects that implement technology changes and drive alignment across sites, ensuring milestones and quality.
• Lead matrix teams across functions and locations with strong stakeholder relationships.
• Provide SME across upstream, downstream and/or bioconjugation process development for biologic drug substances.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges using data analysis and root cause analysis to identify improvements.
• Monitor technical performance across the network and address misalignment areas.
• Present findings to stakeholders with clear scientific communication.
• Coach and mentor scientists in Process Development and contribute to strategic direction.

Skills

Bioprocessing

Downstream processing

Matrix leadership

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Stakeholder management

Scientific communication

Education

BSc in a relevant scientific or technical discipline

PhD or equivalent preferred

Tools

Digital data analysis tools

Job description

United Kingdom, Slough

Senior Principal Scientist, Global Process Development

Location: Slough, UK

The actual location of this job is in Slough, UK.

Join our Global Process Development team as a senior scientific expert, where you will lead strategic process development projects and help drive technical alignment across our global Biologics network. Using your expertise in biologic drug substance process development and manufacturing, you will solve complex technical challenges, influence scientific direction and enable the delivery of innovative solutions.

This role is primarily based on site. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards. We offer flexibility to work remotely for no more than 20% of your time. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with business needs.

What You Will Get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• The opportunity to work with senior scientific experts and multidisciplinary teams across a global Biologics network.
• Opportunities to lead high-impact, cross‑functional projects and influence global technical direction.
• 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

• Lead multidisciplinary projects that implement technology changes and drive alignment across sites, ensuring delivery to agreed milestones, scope and quality standards.
• Lead matrix teams across functions and locations, building strong stakeholder relationships and securing alignment to achieve successful outcomes.
• Provide subject matter expertise across two or more relevant areas of upstream, downstream and/or bioconjugation process development and manufacturing for biologic drug substances.
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges, using data analysis, multivariate approaches and root cause analysis to identify opportunities for process improvement and optimization.
• Monitor technical performance across the network and identify and address areas of technical misalignment.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, influencing decisions through clear scientific and technical communication.
• Coach and mentor scientists in Process Development, while contributing to the scientific and technical direction of the wider organization.

What we are looking for:

• Extensive experience in bioprocessing, with a strong background in downstream processing and biologic drug substance process development and manufacturing.
• A proven track record of leading complex, multidisciplinary projects and matrix teams with minimal direction.
• Strong subject matter expertise in at least two relevant areas of bioprocess development and manufacturing.
• Experience using digital tools and advanced data analysis to understand and improve bioprocess performance.
• Experience with multivariate data analysis, process optimization and structured root cause analysis to solve complex technical challenges.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence technical decisions and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• BSc, MSc, BEng or MEng in a relevant scientific or technical discipline; a PhD or equivalent is preferred. Business-fluent English is required.

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.

Reference: R78836