Senior Scientist in Slough

BioOrbit is pioneering space-enabled pharmaceutical development. By using microgravity to crystallise biologics and other complex medicines at scale, we aim to open new possibilities in drug formulation, delivery and manufacturing, helping shape how future treatments reach patients worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced scientist to help prove BioOrbit’s core scientific value propositions. You will design and execute experiments that test whether the selected molecules can be crystallised into forms that create measurable pharmaceutical advantages, both with our reactor on Earth as well as in space. In addition, you will play a key role in developing our analytical capabilities, from evaluating and selecting equipment to validating methods and applying them to advance our research. You will work closely with the bioprocess engineer that will optimise the reactor design and our mechanical engineers who will take the experimental system to space.

• Design and execute experiments for BioOrbit’s core value proposition hypothesis e.g. low viscosity and high concentration formulations and improved crystal stability.
• Characterise crystalline products, including particle size distribution, morphology, polymorphism, purity, and stability.
• Analyse complex experimental datasets to generate insight and guide iterative development.
• Evaluate, select, and implement new analytical techniques and instrumentation.
• Translate molecular insights into parameters and constraints for reactor and process design.
• Work closely with bioprocess engineers to ensure alignment between crystallisation science and process implementation.
• Collaborate with external partners (CROs, academic groups) for specialised analyses.
• Contribute to documentation, data integrity, and scientific communication internally and externally.
• Mentor junior scientists as the team grows.

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biophysics, Formulation Science, Nanomedicine, or a related field.
• Strong experience in crystallisation and ideally biologics formulations.
• Hands-on expertise with analytical techniques such as DLS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, or similar.
• Proven ability to design experiments, interpret complex datasets, and drive scientific decision-making.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams.

• Exposure to bioprocessing equipment and process engineers for process scale-up.
• Experience with Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tools.
• Experience working in regulated settings.
• Interest in microgravity research or autonomous systems.
• Ability to travel occasionally to visit collaborators.

You will be based at our laboratory in Victoria House (near Holborn station, London). We offer flexible working, with Mondays and Fridays typically available for remote work, though in-person presence will be required as needed.

At BioOrbit, you will help build a new field of space-enabled pharmaceutical development. You will join a dynamic team tackling one of the most ambitious challenges in drug development: understanding whether microgravity can unlock new ways to formulate, deliver and manufacture life-saving medicines. As we enter our seed stage phase, there will be significant opportunities to take ownership, move quickly, shape the science from the ground up and help design experiments to be carried out in space.