Senior Process Development Scientist, Upstream

IMMUNOCORE LTD; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology company in Oxford seeks an experienced scientist for upstream process development in biologics. The ideal candidate will have expertise in mammalian and microbial cell culture, a strong ability to interpret complex datasets, and experience with regulatory documentation. This role includes mentoring and providing technical guidance to teams, ensuring adherence to quality protocols, and contributing to innovative therapeutic solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, transfection, and bioreactors.
• Microbial cell culture experience.
• Ability to interpret complex datasets.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments and design protocols.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship.
• Prepare regulatory documents and reports.

Skills

Upstream process development for biologics

Strong record-keeping

Ability to work independently

Team collaboration

Molecular biology skills

Education

PhD in a related discipline

Job description

Responsibilities

Conduct experiments, observe results, interpret data, and respond to findings. Design experimental protocols and write reports. Plan experiments and carry out priorities with guidance from line manager. Maintain accurate records in laboratory notebooks, following company procedures. Ensure laboratory equipment is operated safely and report faults promptly. Operate in accordance with the Company Health & Safety policies in a laboratory environment. Propose and execute experiments to support manufacturing at GMP, pre-clinical, clinical, and analytical assays, and regulatory submissions. Prepare and review protocols and reports. Establish priorities for own work and team projects, making decisions on prioritisation with support from the line manager based on team, department, and project goals, using evidence and experience as guidance.

Share technical knowledge with the wider team and across departments; mentor or supervise other colleagues, and provide analysis of new techniques and theories to advance the company. Provide technical guidance on equipment use and recommend new equipment acquisitions. Maintain up-to-date laboratory records and encourage others to do the same. Provide technical guidance to others on equipment usage. Report findings at meetings with colleagues, senior management, and partners; regularly report progress in writing and verbally. Ensure protocols and reports meet the Immunocore Quality system.

Champion health & safety, provide ad-hoc training as required, and liaise with related teams to ensure smooth project transitions through development and transfer of optimized processes to manufacturing. Perform technology transfer of biologic production processes to Contract Development Manufacturing Organizations, including preparation of study reports and transfer documents, and troubleshooting transfer issues. Provide technical oversight of upstream manufacturing activities at CDMO and Person-in-Plant, as required. Mentor or provide technical guidance (formal or informal) to technicians/scientists in upstream process development techniques or project management of a technical area. Contribute to regulatory CMC document writing (IND, IMPD). Maintain current knowledge of drug development for biotherapeutics. Contribute to external scientific collaborations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience conducting upstream process development for biologics, with emphasis on mammalian cell culture (e.g., CHO cells), transfection, transient and stable expression, shake flasks and bioreactors, feeding strategies, and growth and quality assessments (including titer).
• Microbial cell culture experience in shake-flask and bioreactors.
• Strong record-keeping, writing, and review of regulatory documents (IND/IMPD); ability to interpret complex datasets and propose experimental strategies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, meeting tight deadlines.
• Desirable: Molecular biology skills; ICH cell bank characterization knowledge and test methods; experience with DoE, QbD, and scaled-down systems (e.g., Ambr); familiarity with process scale-up and robustness in biologics production platforms.
• Desirable: PhD in a related discipline; relevant industrial or post-doctoral experience.

Company context: Immunocore is a pioneering biotechnology company focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies. We aim to develop transformative medicines for oncology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases, supported by a culture grounded in STRIDE (Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, Entrepreneurship).