Job Specifications
Location of role Oxford, UK
Department CMC
Key Responsibilities The Senior Scientist for Mammalian Cell Line Development will bring experience and a strong understanding of developing and expressing mammalian cell lines for the production of complex biotherapeutics. For this lab-based role in the Process Development CMC group, you will develop and optimise mammalian cell lines for robust protein production of emerging drug candidates and reagents. The ability to plan and execute lab investigations independently and efficiently is key, along with analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. Collaborative teamwork across CMC and with research is essential, coupled with excellent communication skills.
To design and conduct experimental investigations enabling the advancement of the Company pipeline, process, or technology capabilities, proposing improvements for consideration by colleagues and managers. Supporting cell line development and upstream process development within CMC and supporting technical oversight of external cell line development and establishment in GMP manufacturing, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities – All Scientists
Conducting experiments, observing, interpreting, and responding to results.
Maintaining and increasing technical knowledge in relevant fields through self-study, observation and attending relevant conferences or training courses.
Maintaining accurate records of all work by completing laboratory notebook on time, following company procedures.
Ensuring laboratory equipment is operated in accordance with safety and risk guidelines, acting promptly to report any faults or problems to the relevant member of staff.
Operating in accordance with the Company’s Health and Safety policies, especially within a laboratory environment.
Specific Responsibilities
Develop and express mammalian cell lines for production of complex biopharmaceuticals. This includes supporting vector and gene design, using molecular biology techniques and optimising cell expression in transient and stable systems. Assessment of product yield and quality, using techniques such as Octet BLI and HPLC techniques.
Scale-up support: optimise and express mammalian cell lines in bioreactors to support candidate nomination, development activities and process transfer to CDMOs. Support establishment of cell line development and expression activities through technical support to CDMO and review of associated documentation
Experiments: independently testing and, increasingly, leading lines of investigation. Proposing new experiments based on emerging data and other related information. Providing support on technical aspects to others. Conduct and design experiments to support manufacturing at GMP; to support pre-clinical, clinical, and analytical assays, and regulatory submissions. Writing and following experimental protocols. Writing and reviewing reports.
Priorities: establishing priorities for own work and team-based projects; making decisions on prioritisation based on the overall goals of the team, department, and project, using direct evidence and personal experience as guidance.
Technical knowledge: proactive team member, sharing knowledge with the CMC and research teams, representing the department both internally and externally. May also act as a mentor or manager to other colleagues, especially new hires, sharing scientific and company knowledge. Increasingly providing analysis of new techniques and theories to advance company technology; sharing these with leaders across the Company. Provide technical guidance to others within the team on how to use equipment most effectively; making recommendations regarding acquisition of new pieces of equipment.
Laboratory records: ensuring that all records and information are up to date, on time and recorded to the correct standard. Supporting and encouraging others to achieve this.
Laboratory equipment: providing technical guidance to others within the team on how to use equipment most effectively; making recommendations regarding acquisition of new pieces of equipment.
Reporting: communicating and presenting findings at meetings with colleagues, senior management, and partners. Regular reporting on progress of work verbally and in writing. Protocols and reports to written and reviewed to meet the Immunocore Quality system.
Health & Safety: championing and helping others to understand H&S within the company, providing ad-hoc training as required.
Essential
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Worked in a bench-based microbial, biochemistry, molecular biology, analytical or bio-pharmaceutical laboratory environment with a recognized and established expertise to:
Develop mammalian cell lines for production of complex biopharmaceuticals
Vector and gene design optimisation for expression and product quality
Molecular biology for cloning and gene/vector engineering
Optimise mammalian cell expression in transient and stable systems
Express mammalian cells in bi