Lead Bioprocess Development Scientist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, Free State, is seeking a Lead Bioprocess Development Scientist to lead development, optimization, and scale-up of bioprocesses for therapeutic proteins and biologics. You will oversee upstream and downstream process development and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate lab work into scalable manufacturing.

The role requires strong leadership, deep knowledge of cell culture, fermentation, purification, and analytics, plus experience with GMP and

Qualifications

• PhD required in a life sciences field.
• Minimum 6 years in biopharmaceutical process development with leadership.
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture, microbial fermentation, or protein purification.
• Proven scale-up experience from lab to pilot/commercial scale.
• Experience with PAT and QbD is desirable.
• Proficiency in DoE and statistical analysis.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• GMP regulatory familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, execution, and optimization of mammalian cell culture or microbial fermentation processes.
• Develop and scale-up downstream purification processes, including chromatography and filtration.
• Perform process characterization studies for robustness and reproducibility.
• Troubleshoot and resolve development and scale-up challenges.
• Mentor a team of scientists and technicians.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for monitoring and characterization.
• Author development reports and regulatory submission documents.
• Collaborate with manufacturing for tech transfer and implementation.
• Stay current with bioprocess tech and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Bioprocess development

Cell culture

Fermentation

Downstream purification

DoE

PAT

QbD

GMP

Regulatory

Project management

Education

PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related life science

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Lead Bioprocess Development Scientist to join their innovative biotechnology team in Bloemfontein, Free State. This pivotal role involves leading the development, optimization, and scale-up of robust bioprocesses for the production of therapeutic proteins and other biologics. You will oversee critical aspects of upstream and downstream process development, ensuring efficient and cost-effective manufacturing. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of cell culture, fermentation, and purification technologies, coupled with strong leadership and project management skills. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including molecular biology, analytical development, and manufacturing, to bring new products from the lab to commercialization. This position offers a significant opportunity to shape the future of biopharmaceutical production in Bloemfontein, Free State, contributing to the development of life-saving therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of mammalian cell culture or microbial fermentation processes.
• Develop and scale-up downstream purification processes, including chromatography and filtration techniques.
• Perform process characterization studies to ensure robustness and reproducibility.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Manage and mentor a team of scientists and technicians, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for process monitoring and product characterization.
• Author technical reports, development protocols, and regulatory submission documents.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure successful technology transfer and process implementation.
• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in bioprocess technology and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in biopharmaceutical process development, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Extensive knowledge of mammalian cell culture, microbial fermentation, and/or protein purification techniques.
• Proven track record of successfully scaling up bioprocesses from lab to pilot or commercial scale.
• Experience with process analytical technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD) principles is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and experimental design (DoE).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with regulatory requirements (e.g., GMP) is essential.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, training, and conference participation.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities and pilot-scale manufacturing capabilities.
• A dynamic and collaborative team environment in Bloemfontein, Free State.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.