Scientist (Protein Expression and Large-Scale Purification)

Introduction to role: 

Are you ready to scale recombinant proteins from 50 – 500 L and see your work translate into clinical readiness? Do you thrive at the interface of hands-on experimentation and pilot-scale decision making that speeds life-changing medicines to patients? 

As a Scientist in Protein Expression and Large-Scale Purification, you will join a cross-functional team focused on progressing biologics from lab to pilot scale with precision, pace and scientific rigor. Your work will underpin toxicology supply, inform clinical manufacturing strategies, and advance novel technologies that make our processes faster, more robust and more sustainable. 

You will collaborate with experts across process development, analytical sciences and formulation, working with modern pilot-scale systems to build scalable, high-quality purification processes. Your impact will be visible in the speed and quality of programs entering the clinic and, in the technologies, we develop for the next generation of biologics. 

Accountabilities: 

• Primary Clarification Operations: Lead primary clarification of 50–500 L bioreactors using disk stack centrifugation and depth filtration.  

• Pilot-Scale Purification: Run recombinant protein purification on Bioprocess and AKTA pilot-scale systems. 

• Polishing Development: Design and implement polishing steps to enrich purity and remove process- and product-related impurities, increasing product quality. 

• Scale-Up for Clinical Readiness: Execute detailed production at scale prior to clinical manufacture, generating data that supports tech transfer. 

• Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration: Perform UF/DF using bench and pilot-scale systems to achieve target concentration and buffer conditions while maintaining product integrity. 

• Analytics and Characterization: Apply SEC-HPLC, UV-Vis, osmolarity and related techniques to characterize process performance, enabling data-driven decisions. 

• Technology Development: Contribute to in-house technology development projects to elevate capability, reduce cost, and increase speed to clinic. 

• Data Integrity and Reporting: Record experiments accurately and on time; produce clear data summaries and reports that drive program decisions and meet project timelines. 

• Scientific Communication: Present results and recommendations at group and departmental forums, fostering discussion that sharpens strategy and execution. 

• Mentorship and Collaboration: Oversee and mentor students from placements or academic collaborations; cultivate productive collaborations internally and with external partners. 

• Health, Safety and Compliance: Implement and promote AstraZeneca’s health and safety practices including the regulations governing COSHH, biological agents and genetically modified organisms as detailed in the relevant risk assessments. 

• Toxicology and Pilot Support: Play a significant role in tox supply activities and pilot-scale primary clarification, purification and formulation to keep critical milestones on track. 

Essential Skills/Experience: 

• Qualifications: Relevant university degree (e.g., BSc/MSc/PhD) in Life Science, Chemical or Bioprocess Engineering, with relevant industrial experience desirable. 

• Technical and practical understanding of Protein purifications at 50-500L scale 

• The use of Centrifuge and POD filtration as well as Bioprocess and AKTA pilot and associated software 

• Development of polishing steps for purity enrichment 

• Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration using bench and pilot scale systems 

• Product and process characterization using SEC-HPLC, UV-VIS, Osmolarity device and other techniques 

• Contributing to technology development projects. 

• Accurate, clear and timely recording of experiments; preparation of data summaries and reports according to project requirements and timelines 

• Presentation of data at informal group meetings and at departmental meetings 

Desirable Skills/Experience: 

• Experience of HPLC 

• Experience preparing batch records 

• Process filter sizing 

• Experience large scale Tangential Flow Filtration 

• Large scale column packing 

• Experience in mammalian cell culture and protein expression 

• Operation of bioreactor systems for mammalian suspension cultures 

• Experience in the use of data science and AI/ML tools for process development and data analysis (JMP / foundation and agent‑based AI assistants)  

Why AstraZeneca: 

At AstraZeneca, curious minds come together to do work that matters. We collaborate in cross‑functional teams, spanning early discovery, process development, analytical sciences, and more, to transform molecules into medicines for patients. Join a leading R&D organization pushing scientific boundaries with the latest tools and data. You will be empowered to ask bold questions, learn quickly from experiments, and shape how breakthrough biologics reach patients, supported by leaders who value kindness alongside ambition and by teams that share knowledge openly to move with speed and purpose. 

Call to Action: 

If you are ready to turn pilot-scale protein purification into real clinical processes, bring your expertise and ambition to AstraZeneca and help us deliver the next wave of life-changing medicines. 

Date Posted

16-mar.-2026

Closing Date

31-mar.-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.