Scientist - Upstream Process Development

Job Description:

The Bacterial Vaccines Biochemistry Team is seeking a motivated Upstream Process Development Contractor to support the optimization of microbial glycoprotein production. The successful candidate will contribute to a high-throughput screening program designed to identify microbial colonies with enhanced glycoprotein expression from a library of mutants.

The role will involve the use of automated liquid-handling platforms to support experimental workflows, including colony screening, sample preparation, assay set-up, and data generation. The contractor will work closely with scientists across upstream process development, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, and automation.

This is suited to a candidate with practical experience in molecular biology techniques and immunoassays, together with an interest in developing expertise in laboratory automation, whole-genome sequencing, enzymatic glycosylation, library optimization, and high-throughput bioprocessing.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the design, execution, and analysis of experiments to identify high-producing microbial colonies and optimize glycoprotein production conditions. Responsibilities will include:
• Supporting the development and execution of high-throughput microbial colony screening workflows using automated liquid-handling systems.
• Preparing microbial cultures, samples, reagents, and assay plates in accordance with approved experimental protocols.
• Operating and learning to program automated laboratory equipment for liquid transfer, dilution, plate preparation, and sample processing.
• Screening mutant libraries and assessing glycoprotein production using appropriate analytical methods, including immunoassays such as ELISA.
• Performing routine molecular biology techniques, which may include DNA extraction, PCR, plasmid preparation, transformation, and agarose gel electrophoresis.
• Supporting the evaluation and optimization of microbial libraries to identify improved glycoprotein-producing candidates.
• Contributing to sample preparation and data generation for whole-genome sequencing and related genomic analysis activities.
• Supporting experiments involving enzymatic glycosylation and the characterization of glycoprotein production.
• Recording experimental procedures, observations, and results accurately in electronic laboratory systems and approved documentation.
• Analyzing experimental data, identifying trends, and communicating findings to project team members.
• Following all relevant laboratory, biosafety, quality, data integrity, and company procedures.

Required Skills & Education:

• Master’s degree or PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related discipline. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant laboratory experience may also be considered, depending on their practical expertise.
• Hands-on knowledge of molecular biology techniques, microbial culture, and immunoassay methods, preferably including ELISA. Experience with bacterial expression systems, protein or glycoprotein production, colony screening, library screening, or assay development would be advantageous.
• Requires a careful and methodical approach to laboratory work, with the ability to follow protocols consistently while also contributing ideas to improve experimental workflows. The successful candidate should be comfortable working with repetitive, high-throughput experiments, analyzing quantitative data, and maintaining accurate records.

Desirable Experience:

• High-throughput screening or automated liquid-handling platforms.
• Bacterial strain engineering, transformation, or mutant library generation.
• Recombinant protein or glycoprotein expression and characterization.
• ELISA development, optimization, or other plate-based immunoassays.
• Whole-genome sequencing sample preparation or interpretation of sequencing results.
• Enzymatic glycosylation or glycoengineering.
• Laboratory automation, liquid-handler programming, or integration of automated workflows.
• Data analysis using tools such as Excel, GraphPad Prism, or equivalent software.
• Work in an industrial, regulated, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or vaccine-development environment.

Key Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments simultaneously.
• Clear communication and reliable documentation practices.
• Sound experimental judgment and commitment to laboratory safety and data integrity.
• Enthusiasm for learning new technologies, particularly automation, genomics, and high-throughput process development.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional scientific teams.