Senior Scientist I

Evotec; Alderley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

25 days holiday

Private health insurance

Wellbeing support

Career development

Cycle-to-work

Refer a friend scheme

Job summary

Evotec is seeking a Senior Scientist 1 in Alderley Park to lead antibody engineering and biologics design for next-generation therapeutics. You will design, express, purify, and characterize complex biologics including monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, while guiding project strategy and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

You will mentor scientists, contribute to publications and external collaborations, and present findings to clients and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years in antibody discovery or biologics development.
• Hands-on experience designing and developing therapeutic antibodies and complex biologics.
• Strong data analysis, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of biologics discovery and engineering strategies.
• Express, purify, and characterize monoclonal, bispecific, and other therapeutic biologics.
• Develop and optimize expression systems and purification workflows.
• Drive experimental design and data interpretation to guide project decisions.
• Provide scientific leadership across client-facing discovery programs.

Skills

Antibody engineering

Biologics development

Data-driven decisions

Project leadership

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology / Protein Engineering / Biochemistry

Tools

Biologics expression systems

Purification workflows

Job description

Senior Scientist 1 Antibody Engineering & Biologics Design

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Scientist 1 to join our Protein Sciences team and play a key role in the design and development of next-generation biologic therapeutics.

This is an exciting opportunity for a scientist with deep expertise in antibody engineering and biologics development to lead the design, expression, purification, and characterization of complex therapeutic molecules, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, multispecific formats, and other engineered protein therapeutics.

Working within multidisciplinary project teams, you will contribute scientific leadership across client-facing drug discovery programs, helping to translate innovative concepts into high-quality therapeutic candidates. You will have the opportunity to influence project strategy, drive scientific innovation, and collaborate with world-class experts across protein engineering, discovery biology, and drug development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of biologics discovery and engineering strategies across multiple client and internal projects.
• Design, engineer, express, purify, and characterize complex biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies and other therapeutic biologics.
• Develop and optimize expression systems and purification workflows to deliver high-quality proteins suitable for screening, characterization, and downstream development.
• Drive experimental design and scientific decision-making through robust data analysis, interpretation, and communication of results.
• Identify innovative approaches and emerging technologies to improve biologics discovery and development workflows.
• Act as a biologics scientific lead on projects, coordinating activities across disciplines and ensuring delivery of key milestones.
• Present scientific findings to internal stakeholders and external clients, providing clear recommendations and strategic guidance.
• Contribute to scientific excellence through publications, conference presentations, and external collaborations where appropriate.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the development of technical capabilities within the team.

Essential

What We're Looking For

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Immunology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in antibody discovery, antibody engineering, or biologics development.
• Extensive hands-on experience designing and developing therapeutic antibodies and complex biologic formats.
• Strong expertise in recombinant biologics expression and purification technologies.
• Experience developing and optimizing workflows for challenging and novel biologic molecules.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, solve complex scientific problems, and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience leading projects and collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience with bispecific, multispecific, TCR, fusion protein, or other advanced biologics formats.
• Knowledge of developability assessment, molecular optimization, and protein characterization techniques.
• Experience using computational biology, structural modelling, molecular design, or AI-enabled protein engineering tools.
• Track record of publications, patents, conference presentations, or successful therapeutic candidate advancement.
• Previous experience working in a CRO/CDMO or client-facing environment.

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting-edge biologics programs alongside internationally recognized scientists.
• Influence the design of next-generation therapeutic antibodies and protein therapeutics.
• Collaborate with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners.
• Take ownership of high-impact scientific programs from concept through candidate generation.
• Access opportunities for scientific leadership, publication, mentoring, and career development.
• Be part of a collaborative, innovative culture focused on advancing breakthrough medicines for patients worldwide.

Benefits Package

• Pension on completion (but not subject to) of your 3-month probationary period. Contributions 5% for employees (salary sacrifice) and 5% for the employer. The employee can opt to increase their contribution, and the employer will match the increase up to a maximum of 7.5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employee and their partner/family under the company scheme
• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services
• Permanent health insurance provides 75% of the base salary after the qualifying period
• Private dental cover, on completion (but not subject to) of your 3-month probationary period
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme. This is a discretionary benefit.
• Career progression within the company, we have excellent training and support and continuing professional development opportunities
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Refer a friend scheme, team and annual events, recognition awards and many more!

Onsite Facilities at Alderley Park

• The company pays for secure onsite parking
• Restaurant, Café, and Gastro pub
• Gym and workout studio, running, walking, and cycling routes
• Good public transport links with the shuttle bus service.

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

EN: In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.

IT: In compliance with fundamental ethical and professional principles and with Legislative Decree 198/2006, Evotec is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees based on their skills, experience, and professional qualifications. In line with our ethical and professional principles, all employment-related decisions, including recruitment and selection processes, are made fairly and without any form of discrimination. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, disability, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.