Senior Scientist I - Protein Purification & Automation

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Scientist to join our Protein Biochemistry team, with a primary focus on protein purification and automation at scale. This role requires deep technical expertise in high-throughput purification workflows, including the handling of complex, aggregation-prone, and otherwise difficult to purify proteins. You will play a key role in designing, implementing, and scaling automated purification platforms, while ensuring delivery of high-quality protein and data to support drug discovery programs. Through hands-on scientific leadership, you will drive multiple projects simultaneously and contribute to advancing both platform capabilities and scientific excellence.

Key Accountabilities:

• Design, optimise, and execute robust protein purification workflows (manual and automated) across multiple scales.
• Lead development of high-throughput purification platforms, including multi-step automated workflows.
• Apply advanced strategies to purify challenging, unstable, aggregation-prone, or low-yield proteins.
• Integrate purification workflows with expression and characterisation pipelines to maximise throughput and data quality.
• Develop and implement protein purification workflows using liquid handling systems and ÄKTA platforms.
• Drive automation of complex, multi-step purification processes.
• Contribute to digital workflow development (e.g., LIMS integration, data capture, traceability).
• Leverage programming (e.g., Python or equivalent) to enhance automation, data handling, and process optimisation.
• Design and implement protein characterisation strategies (e.g., purity, stability, aggregation, activity).
• Ensure high-quality, quality controlled, reproducible data generation and documentation.
• Responsible for supporting multiple projects and may be asked to direct internal resources efficiently to achieve agreed goals.
• Where responsible for reports, will lead colleagues to co-develop plans for personal growth, aligned to business need.
• Represent the company at scientific and/or business conferences.
• Presents and publishes as appropriate peer-reviewed science increasing own and Evotec’s scientific reputation.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Extensive experience in recombinant protein purification, with clear expertise in high-throughput purification strategies through automation and scale-up.
• Extensive experience with difficult protein targets (unstable, aggregation-prone).
• Strong hands-on experience with chromatography systems (e.g., ÄKTA) and Liquid handling/automation platforms supporting protein purification workflows.
• Proven track record of designing and optimising purification workflows end-to-end.
• Experience delivering high-quality protein and data under tight timelines.
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry within drug discovery workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and troubleshoot purification challenges.
• Experience in working with cell free expression systems is desirable.
• Programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python) for automation and data processing and familiarity with LIMS and digital lab workflows.
• Experience with in silico-based tools for sequence and structural analysis is desired.
• Experience of preparing and executing workplans and building trusted partnerships with internal and external customers.
• Requires a track record of leading scientists across specialist fields.
• Requires a track record of facilitating employee growth through co-development of personal development plans.
• Track record of successful problem-solving, high-quality science and influencing of stakeholders and colleagues.
• Experience of scientific development and research work ideally with publications in a relevant scientific field.

Education and Qualifications:

• Ideally a Ph.D. degree or corresponding experience in a relevant scientific discipline with > 5 years of relevant experience in industry.
• Alternatively, a relevant first degree and several years additional experience in drug discovery.

Evotec Leadership Competencies:

• Active Communication: Communicates actively, working on further clarity and responsiveness.
• Constructive Feedback: Actively seeks and provides constructive feedback, using it to improve processes and outcomes.
• Consistent Team Engagement: Engages frequently, fostering a more positive and collaborative environment.
• Foundational Direction Sharing: Communicates pragmatic directions, leading to general understanding and alignment.
• Planning: Anticipates problems and improves on proactively taking precautions.
• Effective Delegation: Delegates tasks effectively, trusting team members to handle responsibilities and providing necessary support and development.

Benefits Package:

• Pension on completion (but not subject to) of your 3-month probationary period. Contributions 5% for employees (salary sacrifice) and 5% for the employer. The employee can opt to increase their contribution, and the employer will match the increase up to a maximum of 7.5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employee and their partner/family under the company scheme.
• Well-being support 24/7 and counselling services.
• Permanent health insurance provides 75% of the base salary after the qualifying period.
• Private dental cover, on completion (but not subject to) of your 3-month probationary period.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme. This is a discretionary benefit.
• Career progression within the company, we have excellent training and support and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Refer a friend scheme, team and annual events, recognition awards and many more!

Onsite Facilities:

• The company pays for secure onsite parking.
• Restaurant, Café, and Gastro pub.
• Gym and workout studio, running, walking, and cycling routes.
• Good public transport links with the shuttle bus service.