Job Description

UCB is currently looking for highly motivated scientists to join the BioTech Sciences department at UCB’s UK Research and Development Hub in Slough. Working within Upstream Process Sciences you will be part of team of scientists developing processes for the production of novel protein-based therapeutics for areas of unmet patient need. You will be responsible for laboratory-based activities using a range of cutting-edge scientific technologies. You will receive training in all techniques and will have your own mentor to provide help and advice during your time at UCB. You will help to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines. This represents a great opportunity to work in industry-leading laboratories at the cutting edge of drug development.

The candidate will work in a team environment, collaborating with various process scientists (upstream and downstream) and analytical scientists. The successful candidate will utilise knowledge in biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, and cellular metabolism to aid in process development and optimisation of early-stage clinical projects, process troubleshooting investigations, evaluation of cellular responses to process operations, assessment of effects on product quality, and determination of process scalability.

The position is laboratory based and will involve experimentation with bench-scale bioreactors (primarily ambr15 and ambr250 HT technologies and 10 L glass bioreactor), 50L and 200L single use bioreactors and associated disk stack centrifugation and pilot scale equipment. The candidate will apply Quality by Design (QbD) principles utilising Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology and be responsible for some planning of activities, analysing laboratory data and reporting back to project leader/line manager and team members on a regular basis. The candidate will produce accurate, traceable records of work and generated data in the eELN (electronic laboratory notebook), generating documentation for experimental reports to support technology transfer and regulatory filings (Development and Technical Report writing in English).

The candidate will also be expected to contribute to scientific development and technology development projects requiring innovative research, to improve USP and primary recovery processes and understanding. The candidate will be a proactive individual, able to demonstrate problem solving skills and have the ability to manage multiple tasks, with excellent communication skills.