Lead Scientist

Job Title: R&D Lead Scientist
Location: Slough, UK (Hybrid working possible)

Join our team in Slough, where you’ll drive innovation in purification technologies and help shape next-generation intensified purification processes. This lab-based role is at the forefront of bioprocessing, enabling solutions that impact the future of biologics development and manufacturing.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance
• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location

The full list of our global benefits can be found here: Lonza Careers Benefits

What you will do:

• Design, plan, and execute studies to support technology and process development projects, analyzing complex datasets to drive conclusions
• Evaluate and compare purification technologies to develop intensified downstream processes
• Design, develop, and optimise scalable chromatography processes and filtration techniques
• Perform high-throughput screening of chromatography conditions independently
• Author high-quality technical reports and publications with scientifically supported recommendations
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to implement technologies across development and manufacturing operations
• Support troubleshooting and technology transfer activities, providing data-driven recommendations

What we are looking for:
Required skills:

• Downstream process development of biologics (mAbs – monoclonal antibodies, Fc-Fusion, Bispecific antibodies)
• Process integration or connected unit operations
• Scale-up and technology transfer of biologics

Nice to have:

• Primary recovery techniques (centrifugation and depth filtration)
• High-throughput screening

Other qualifications & competencies:

• Strong practical experience in protein purification techniques, including affinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and mixed-mode chromatography
• Skilled in designing workflows to achieve high yield and purity, with knowledge of scale-up strategies from lab to manufacturing
• Ability to independently plan experiments, analyze data, and communicate scientific ideas effectively
• BSc or BEng in Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering (MSc/PhD preferred)
• Business-fluent in English
• Strong collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership skills within a scientific team environment

About Lonza:
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.