Principal Scientist (Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing)

Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom

Company

hirify.global is a global life sciences organization with more than 30 sites across five continents, developing and manufacturing medicines through collaborative, accountable, excellent, passionate, and ethical work.

What you will do

• Lead, design, and execute mammalian host cell engineering projects, including gene integration, gene knockout, genotypic and phenotypic characterization, and vector design.
• Define and lead R&D projects, including objectives, scope, deliverables, milestones, and resource requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges and improve the performance and robustness of mammalian expression systems.
• Identify and develop innovative host cell and expression system technologies that address business needs.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship, while setting expectations for experimental quality, documentation, and delivery.
• Collaborate across R&D, Operations, and other relevant functions to support technology evaluation, transfer, implementation, and commercialization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or a related discipline, with 5+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry experience; alternatively, a Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Substantial theoretical and practical expertise in molecular biology and mammalian vector and/or host cell engineering, including gene integration and/or gene knockout.
• Experience with gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas and genotypic and phenotypic characterization methods including DNA/RNA sequencing, qPCR, and flow cytometry.
• Practical experience with mammalian cell culture, including transfection, cell maintenance, single-cell isolation, and cell line screening; familiarity with automated screening and fed-batch culture.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex scientific projects or substantial workstreams related to mammalian host cell or expression system development.
• Strong experimental design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation skills, including Design of Experiments where appropriate.
• Experience working cross-functionally to transfer technologies and support implementation or commercialization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including explaining complex findings, communicating project risks, and making clear recommendations.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and lead collaborative scientific work across teams.

Nice to have

• Experience in project leadership and line management.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile and dynamic working culture.
• Inclusive and ethical workplace with collaboration across a global organization.
• Meaningful work focused on employee experience, operational excellence, and lasting business impact.
• Access to global benefits.
• Opportunities to present scientific findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and at external scientific meetings.