Senior Upstream Process Scientist, Cell Culture & Transfer

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK, seeks an Associate Principal Scientist to lead upstream mammalian cell culture process development for critical CMC stages during a temporary maternity-cover role. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, drive robust designs, and deliver scalable processes to de-risk manufacturing and enable clinical supply.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, scale-up, and technology transfer while aligning with safety, quality and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Degree in biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, biotechnology or a related field with substantial industry experience.
• Strong theoretical and practical expertise in mammalian upstream process development, preferably CHO.
• Hands-on aseptic cell culture, inoculum expansion and bench-scale or high-throughput bioreactor systems.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, analyse and report complex process-development studies.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments, statistical analysis and data-driven process optimisation.
• Experience contributing to CMC development, technical reports, process documentation or regulatory content.
• Ability to lead work through matrix teams and manage concurrent priorities with evidence-based recommendations.
• Understanding of Safety, Health & Environment, quality and compliance in pharma R&D.

Responsibilities

• Own upstream process development work packages across development cycles with delivery plans and governance.
• Design, coordinate and interpret CHO-based inoculum, fed-batch and perfusion studies, including media optimisation and process intensification.
• Oversee high-throughput and bench-scale bioreactor work with Ambr platforms and stirred-tank systems.
• Apply mechanistic understanding, DoE and multivariate analysis to identify drivers and optimise operating ranges.
• Integrate growth, viability and product data to inform next steps with clear evidence.
• Contribute to multi-omics and metabolic modelling for media/feed strategies.
• Lead documentation, SOPs and governance for regulatory submissions.
• Represent upstream development in cross-functional project teams and coordinate inputs from analytical, formulation, manufacturing, QA, regulatory.
• Support scale-up and technology transfer to internal and external partners with transfer packages.
• Manage concurrent internal/external activities ensuring efficient portfolio delivery.
• Provide mentoring and matrix leadership to colleagues without direct line management.
• Drive laboratory operational excellence and digital record keeping.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Design of Experiments

Data-driven optimisation

Matrix leadership

Scale-up planning

Education

Biochemical engineering degree

Bioprocessing background

Tools

Ambr platform

Stirred-tank bioreactors

JMP

Python

Job description

AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK, seeks an Associate Principal Scientist to lead upstream mammalian cell culture process development for critical CMC stages during a temporary maternity-cover role. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, drive robust designs, and deliver scalable processes to de-risk manufacturing and enable clinical supply.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, scale-up, and technology transfer while aligning with safety, quality and regulatory expectations.