Associate Scientific Director - Discovery Biotherapeutics

Syngene International; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Syngene International invites applications for an Associate Scientific Director / Principal Scientist – Downstream Processing and Manufacturability Assessment in Bangalore. You will lead purification strategy, multi-step chromatography, and scale-up, delivering high-quality biologics for early discovery programs.

The role demands 8+ years in protein purification and proven leadership of scientific teams, with deep expertise in purification processes, analytics, tech transfer, and

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, protein chemistry, biotechnology or related discipline.
• 8+ years in protein purification or bioprocess development.
• Experience leading scientists or matrixed teams (3+ years).

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead purification-process development platforms for antibodies and biologics.
• Design purification strategies (1–200L scale) using capture, intermediate, and polishing technologies.
• Deliver material meeting identity, purity, endotoxin, sterility, formulation, and study-use specs.
• Scale purification processes, define in-process controls, troubleshoot issues, and support batch disposition.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team with collaboration, safety, and compliance.

Skills

Protein purification

Bioprocess development

Leadership

Biotech/biopharma

Education

PhD in biochemistry/biotechnology/biochemical engineering

Tools

Chromatography

Membrane-based purification

Protein analytics

Job description

Job Description

Designation: Associate Scientific Director / Principal Scientist – Downstream Processing and Manufacturability Assessment

Date: 6 Oct 2026

Location: Bangalore, KA, IN, 560099

Division: Dedicated Centre

Job Location: Bangalore

Department: Discovery Biotherapeutics / Discovery Technologies

About Syngene

Incorporated in 1993, Syngene International Ltd. is an innovation-focused global discovery, development and manufacturing organization providing integrated scientific services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutrition, animal health, consumer goods and specialty chemical industries around the world. Syngene’s clientele includes world leaders such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Baxter, Amgen, GSK, Merck KGaA and Herbalife. Its innovative culture is driven by the passion of its 4240-strong team of scientists who work with clients from around the world to solve their scientific problems, improve R&D productivity, speed up time to market and lower the cost of innovation.

Job Purpose

• BBRC is seeking an accomplished purification and developability leader to establish and lead Downstream Processing and Manufacturability Assessment capabilities in support of early biotherapeutic discovery. The role will enable scalable purification workflows, high-quality research- and toxicology-grade proteins, and actionable manufacturability insight for candidate progression.
• The successful candidate will provide hands-on technical leadership across purification strategy, multi-step chromatography, endotoxin control, formulation, filtration, scale-up, technology transfer, and documentation for diverse biologic modalities.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead purification-process development and manufacturability assessment platforms for antibodies, multispecifics, Fc-fusions, antibody fragments, recombinant antigens, and emerging biologic formats.
• Design fit-for-purpose purification strategies (1-200L scale) using capture, intermediate, and polishing technologies across chromatographic, membrane-based, and related approaches.
• Deliver research-and toxicology-grade material meeting expectations for identity, purity, aggregation, potency, endotoxin, sterility/bioburden, stability, formulation, and intended-study use.
• Scale purification processes, establish transfer packages, define in-process controls, troubleshoot process failures, and support batch disposition with clear scientific rationale.
• Lead, coach, recruit, and develop a high-performing team while strengthening collaboration, safety, scientific rigor, inclusion, innovation, and compliance.

Educational Qualification

Ph.D. in biochemistry, protein chemistry, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, bioengineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

8+ years

Required

Technical/functional Skills:

• 8+ years of relevant protein-purification or bioprocess-development experience in biotechnology or biopharma, including 3+ years leading scientists, technical teams, or matrixed workstreams.
• Deep expertise in multi-step chromatography, recombinant-protein purification, scale-up, reproducibility, concentration, buffer exchange, formulation, sterile filtration, storage, and troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting research, preclinical, toxicology, or development-scale protein material, with working knowledge of protein analytics and developability assessment.
• Excellent scientific judgment, communication, stakeholder-influence, and people-leadership skills.

Preferred

Experience with complex biologic formats, tox-batch/preclinical material requirements, GLP/GMP-adjacent documentation, batch records, CoAs, deviations, technical transfer, high-throughput resin screening, automation, continuous chromatography, membrane-based purification, or demonstrated purification-platform innovation.

Behavioral Skills

Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, good presentation skills, and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet aggressive project timelines. Must demonstrate integrity and take accountability for their work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Syngene to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable legislation or local law. In addition, Syngene will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.