Senior Purification Development Scientist

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Purification Development Scientist to design and execute experiments for biologics purification. The ideal candidate should possess a BSc in a relevant field and experience with chromatography systems and liquid handling. The role involves maintaining accurate lab records and advising on early-stage portfolio assets. Notably, the position requires a strong understanding of various purification techniques and is primarily lab-based, necessitating onsite presence. Competitive salary and excellent benefits are offered.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• At least a BSc in a related biochemistry/bioprocessing/biochemical engineering field.
• Experience with Liquid Handlers for downstream unit operations.
• Good understanding of chromatography techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and report biomolecule purification experiments.
• Conduct product quality analysis using HPLC and related methods.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records.

Skills

Biologics purification

Chromatography techniques

Liquid handlers

Tangential flow filtration

High throughput methodologies

Statistical Design software

Education

BSc in biochemistry/bioprocessing/biochemical engineering

Post graduate qualification

Tools

AKTA Chromatography Systems

LIMS

Job description

As a Senior Purification Development Scientist in Cambridge, UK, you’ll play a pivotal role in channelling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact on changing patients’ lives.

We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, with a passion for discovery and a pipeline to show for it. We’re pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across key therapeutic areas including Oncology, Respiratory and Immunology, Cardiovascular and Renal Metabolism, and Vaccines and Immune Therapies. And we’re industry-leading in immunology, protein engineering and translational science.

As part of the Purification Process Sciences (PPS) group within the Biopharmaceutical Development (BPD) organization at AstraZeneca, this position will support the development of scalable processes for the purification of a wide range of biologics modalities to support our growing portfolio of recombinant proteins as well as new molecular formats.

Role Responsibilities:

• Design, planning, execution and reporting of biomolecule purification experiments at different scales, including antibody, Fc fusion, multispecific formats as well as a wide range of novel biologic formats.
• Product Quality analysis - using standard methods including HPLC, Capillary Electrophoresis, Spectrophotometer.
• Maintaining a current and accurate laboratory record (electronic lab notebook) of all activities through data management system.
• Authorship of reports and internal documentation.
• General laboratory activities including preparation of buffer and routine maintenance of equipment.
• Advise on developability requirements for early stage portfolio assets
• Scale up of processes to GMP relevant scales
• Technology Transfer and support of ongoing GMP manufacturing activities

Please note, this is a lab based role and expectation to be onsite 4-5 days per week.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least a BSc in a related biochemistry/bioprocessing/biochemical engineering field, ideally with further post graduate qualification and/or extensive post graduate experience in a related field.
• Experience with Liquid Handlers for the execution of downstream unit operations and general liquid handling tasks
• Experience with the authoring and development of high throughput methodologies for the development and evaluation of novel bioprocesses
• Understand the principles of Biologics purification and a good understanding of chromatography techniques, e.g. Affinity/IEX/HIC
• Experience with chromatography systems (AKTAs) at various scales
• Experience with tangential flow filtration (TFF)
• Experience with biologics downstream process development
• Familiar with data management system such as LIMS.

Desirable:

• Experience with integration of liquid handlers into wider automated workflows
• Experience with the integration of Automated systems into a wider Data environment
• Application of Multifactorial Statistical Design software to the development of Bioprocesses.
• Experience using high throughput methodologies for the development of novel Bioprocesses.

Behavioural competencies:

• Demonstrate significant autonomy in terms of experimental design and execution.
• Able to work with multiple projects concurrently
• Hard working, organised, balanced and meticulous with an ability to work well under pressure.
• Adaptable and a team player with a conscientious attitude and enthusiasm.
• Participate in group discussions and provide novel solutions to a variety of problems of diverse scope involving basic scientific principles.
• Desire to learn and build on the role.

Location:

Cambridge UK

Salary:

Competitive + Excellent Benefits

Next Steps?

Are you ready to step up and take ownership of your work, solutions for the business and your personal career development? Apply now and join us in our mission to bring life-changing medicines to people!

Date Posted: 19-Jan-2026

Closing Date: 30-Jan-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.