Senior Scientist - MSAT

AAVantegarde Bio; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology firm in Greater London is seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to join their Manufacturing Science team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in AAV production, solid problem-solving skills, and a passion for innovation in gene therapy. This role offers the opportunity to develop cutting-edge processes and contribute to the advancement of genetic medicine.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in developing biological products and manufacturing processes.
• Strong foundation in analytical characterisation.
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement upstream and downstream unit operations.
• Contribute to GMP manufacturing at CDMO partners.
• Review batch records and ensure process reproducibility.

Skills

Expertise in AAV production and characterisation

Problem-solving skills

Collaborative team player

Statistical tools for monitoring process performance

Education

PhD in Cell Biology or Life Sciences

MSc with relevant industry experience

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

The Company

AAVantgarde is a clinical-stage, international biotechnology company headquartered in Italy. We have developed two cutting-edge AAV vector platforms to overcome DNA cargo limitations, targeting Usher syndrome type 1B and Stargardt disease. Founded by the renowned Professor Alberto Auricchio, a pioneer in gene therapy, our mission is to transform genetic medicine for patients with no current therapeutic options. Join us at AAVantgarde and be a part of our innovative journey to bring the next generation of genetic medicines to those in need.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Scientist to join our Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) team, where you will play a key role in developing and implementing upstream and downstream unit operations for the production of novel dual-AAV gene therapies. This position is central to taking products from early process development through to tech transfer and supporting GMP manufacturing at our CDMO partners.

Working closely with Process Development, you will contribute to an integrated approach to clinical manufacturing, applying your expertise in AAV production and characterisation to build robust, scalable processes. You will be responsible for developing unit operations for recovery and purification, supporting scale-up activities, and ensuring process reproducibility. Your work will also involve reviewing batch records, implementing new processes, and contributing to manufacturing documentation. In collaboration with the analytical team, you will define and apply process analytical tools to generate structured data, improve process understanding, and identify optimisation opportunities. This role offers the opportunity to stay at the forefront of industry trends and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Skills and Experience Required

To succeed in this role, you will need a PhD in Cell Biology, Life Sciences, or a related field, or an MSc with relevant industry experience. You should bring at least seven years of experience in developing biological products and manufacturing processes, with a strong foundation in analytical characterisation and a working knowledge of cGMP requirements in regulated environments. Experience of working with gene therapy products is desirable. You will be a quick learner with strong problem-solving skills and a positive, can-do attitude.

Experience in evaluating and implementing new technologies and techniques is essential, as is familiarity with statistical tools for monitoring process performance. You should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, and able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Flexibility, adaptability, and professional maturity are key traits, along with the ability to anticipate needs and contribute meaningfully to a collaborative, growth-oriented environment. A proven track record of collaborating with external partners is desirable.

Equal Opportunities

At AAVantgarde, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, collaborative, and inclusive environment. We believe in providing equal opportunities for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Recruitment Policy

AAVantgarde’s HR team leads all recruitment activities for AAVantgarde globally. AAVantgarde will not recognise any notional ownership recruitment companies claim to hold over candidates they present directly to hiring managers without the AAVantgarde HR team’s consent, nor any fees the recruitment company may feel are due as a result of this. Unsolicited resumes sent to AAVantgarde from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and AAVantgarde and do not obligate AAVantgarde to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. We ask that external recruiters and/or agencies not contact or present candidates directly to our hiring managers or employees. If you are interested in becoming a recruitment partner please email the HR team at [e-mail]