Principal Scientist, Early Stage Process Development

Our purpose is to bring hope to life by enabling life-changing therapies for patients around the globe, creating a healthier and happier tomorrow. Our mission is to work side by side with our customers in order to improve patients’ lives by bringing new biopharmaceuticals to market.

(Principal) Senior Upstream Scientist for Early-Stage Process Development at AGC Biologics

Help turn breakthrough ideas into life-changing medicines. Join a fast-growing CDMO where your upstream expertise and scientific leadership drive innovation and accelerates our customers’ biologics from concept to clinic.

THE DEPARTMENT AND TEAM

The Early-Stage Process Development Department (ESD) plays a crucial role in bringing new drugs from concepts to patients, with projects ranging from early pre-clinical development through clinical studies. The department is responsible for cell line development, early-stage process development, and cell bank manufacturing.

The department is composed by three interdisciplinary teams, where upstream, downstream and analytical experts work together to achieve the project goals. You will be part of a group of highly dedicated laboratory technicians and scientists collaborating on development and optimization of processes. The teams are driving the projects, and you will experience close collaboration within the team between different technical disciplines. We develop processes for products produced in both mammalian and microbial cell lines and collaborate with various stakeholders such as Analytical Method Development and Manufacturing. You will experience a dynamic and flexible working place with many opportunities to both contribute and develop.

THE ROLE

As a Principal/Senior Upstream Scientist in ESD, you will take a leading role in designing, executing, and optimizing upstream processes for protein-based biologics. You will also contribute to GMP cell bank manufacturing and characterization, ensuring high-quality deliverables for our customers.

This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies, mentor junior colleagues, and drive innovation in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of upstream processes for mammalian cell lines, from shake flasks to pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate process parameters, including transfer runs, DoE optimization studies, scalability studies, and demonstration runs.
• Oversee GMP cell bank manufacturing and characterization, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of upstream processes with downstream and analytical workflows.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to laboratory technicians and junior scientists.
• Prepare and review technical protocols and reports to support regulatory filings and customer deliverables.
  
  

YOUR PROFILE

The Ideal Candidate Holds a PhD In Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Or Related Scientific/technical Field. In Addition, We Expect You To Have

• 5+ years of experience in upstream process development, preferably in a CDMO or biopharmaceutical setting.
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture and bioreactor operation (including AMBRs).
• Hands-on experience with GMP cell bank manufacturing and characterization.
• Preferably hands-on experience with running fed-batch as well as perfusion processes.
• Proven ability to design and execute DoE studies and analyze complex datasets.
• Experience with SAS JMP.
• Excellent English communication skills (spoken & written).
  
  

On a personal level we expect you to be a high-performing team player and to be ambitious on behalf of yourself and the company. You master the balance between speed of execution and quality of work. You embrace change and enjoy a rapid pace of work in a positive, can-do attitude and with a good sense of humor. You are experienced with working cross-functionally and internationally.

APPLICATION AND CONTACT

• To apply, please submit your CV. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement.
• For more information, please contact Manager, ESD - Anas Al-Khawaja, at [email protected].
• If we see a potential match, one of our recruiters will contact you to discuss your application.
• If both sides remain positive after this discussion, we will proceed to the assessment stage to evaluate the key skills required for the job.
  
  

Our culture at AGC Biologics is defined by the six core values: Knowledge, Trust, Quality, Ingenuity, Accountability and Teamwork. Our core values stem from our team members and are embedded into our DNA. They provide a common language and understanding of how we as an organization are connected across three continents. Our core values serve as a compass and reminder of how we achieve our purpose of bringing hope to life for patients around the globe.

AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world-class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 employees worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients’ most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases. AGC Biologics is the partner of choice. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com.  Want to keep posted about our growth and learn more about our company? Follow us on LinkedIn and give us a quick Like on Facebook!

AGC Biologics offers a highly competitive compensation package and a friendly, collaborative culture that values personal initiative and professional achievement. AGC Biologics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.