Senior Process Development Scientist, Upstream - Oxford

ZipRecruiter; Oxford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology company based in the UK seeks a Senior Process Development Scientist to lead upstream process development. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and a strong analytical mindset. Responsibilities include conducting experiments, maintaining laboratory compliance, and mentoring junior staff. BSc or MSc in a related field is essential, and a PhD is desirable. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to transformative medicines.

Qualifications

• Essential: Bench-based mammalian process development or related laboratory experience.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret complex datasets.
• Education: Essential: BSc or MSc in relevant discipline, Desirable: PhD.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments and design protocols.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure safety compliance.
• Provide technical oversight for regulatory compliance.

Skills

Mammalian process development

Analytical mindset

Mammalian cell culture

Mentoring and coaching

Education

BSc or MSc in protein or biochemical engineering

PhD in relevant discipline

Tools

SDS-PAGE

HPLC

Job description

Overview

Senior Process Development Scientist, Upstream - Immunocore. Immunocore is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative medicines addressing unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives and support one another in these pursuits. Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. This role focuses on upstream process development for mammalian and microbial cell culture, with emphasis on CHO cells and related manufacturing support for GMP, pre-clinical, clinical and analytical contexts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments, observe, interpret, and respond to results; design experimental protocols and write reports.
• Plan experiments and carry out priorities with guidance from the line manager; maintain and increase technical knowledge.
• Maintain accurate records in laboratory notebooks and ensure laboratory equipment is operated safely and in compliance with safety policies.
• Provide technical oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and support external upstream manufacturing at GMP, including review of batch records and interaction with CDMOs.
• Work independently and as part of a team to tight deadlines; robust record-keeping and strong communication skills for regulatory documents (IND/IMPD).
• Specifically: independently test and lead lines of investigation; propose new experiments based on data; support manufacturing at GMP and pre-clinical/clinical/analytical assays and regulatory submissions.
• Write and review protocols and reports; establish priorities for own work and team projects with decision-making guidance from the line manager.
• Share technical knowledge across the department and mentor or coach less experienced colleagues; provide guidance on equipment usage and potential acquisitions.
• Ensure laboratory records are up to date and compliant; contribute to progress reporting to colleagues, senior management, and partners.
• Champion Health & Safety; provide ad-hoc training as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Essential: Bench-based mammalian process development or related laboratory experience with expertise to execute and optimize mammalian expression in bioreactors; support upstream production of biologics for downstream processes, analytical characterization and formulation studies.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret complex datasets and propose sound experimental strategies; awareness of cGMP and biopharmaceutical manufacturing requirements.
• Strong practical knowledge of mammalian cell culture for lab-scale expression and scale-up; microbial expression in shake-flasks and bioreactors.
• Ability to drive improvements in working practices and lead projects to meet deadlines; effective communication to summarize data for wider teams; mentoring and coaching capabilities.
• Desirable: Molecular biology skills; understanding of ICH cell bank characterization and test methods; familiarity with DoE, QbD, and scaled-down systems (e.g., Ambr) for process understanding and control; experience with analytical methods (SDS-PAGE, Octet, HPLC); experience with technology transfer to CDMOs; regulatory CMC document writing contributions (IND, IMPD).
• Education: Essential: BSc or MSc in protein or biochemical engineering, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or related discipline. Desirable: PhD and relevant industrial or post-doctoral experience.