Senior Scientist I Protein Expression & Automation

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Scientist to join our Protein Biochemistry team, with a primary focus on protein expression and automation at scale. This role requires deep expertise in E. coli, mammalian, and insect (baculovirus) expression systems, including expression optimization of complex and challenging targets. You will play a key role in designing, implementing, and scaling automated expression 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 protein expression workflows across multiple host systems (E. coli, mammalian, insect).
• Develop and implement high-throughput expression screening strategies to enable rapid construct evaluation.
• Optimise expression for challenging targets, including low-yield, toxic, insoluble, or membrane proteins.
• Integrate expression workflows with downstream purification and characterisation pipelines.
• Lead development of automated expression workflows, including DNA preparation and cloning, transformation and transfection workflows, baculovirus generation and infection, and small-scale expression screening.
• Utilise and develop liquid handling and automation platforms to increase throughput, robustness, and reproducibility.
• Drive continuous improvement of workflows through automation, miniaturisation, and standardisation.
• Contribute to digital lab initiatives (e.g., LIMS integration, data traceability, workflow digitisation).
• Apply programming or scripting (e.g., Python) to support data analysis, automation, and optimisation.
• Design and implement expression analytics, including yield, solubility, secretion, and expression profiling.
• Ensure high-quality, reproducible data generation and accurate documentation.
• Lead and contribute to multiple projects, managing priorities and timelines effectively.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to team development.
• Communicate scientific findings to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Represent the company at scientific and/or business conferences.
• Present and publish as appropriate peer-reviewed science increasing own and Evotec’s scientific reputation.

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience in recombinant protein expression in E. coli, mammalian (e.g., HEK, CHO; transient and/or stable), and insect systems (e.g., S2, baculovirus expression in Sf9/Hi5 cells).
• Proven experience in optimising expression of difficult targets.
• Strong hands-on experience with high-throughput expression workflows, automation platforms (liquid handlers, plate-based systems), and molecular biology techniques (cloning, construct design, vector systems).
• Demonstrated ability to design and optimise workflows end-to-end.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to troubleshoot complex expression challenges.
• Experience delivering results in fast-paced, multi-project environments.
• Experience with bioreactor systems (e.g., Wave, fed-batch optimisation).
• Knowledge of cell line development and scale-up strategies.
• Familiarity with cell-free expression systems.
• Programming/scripting skills (e.g., Python, R).
• Experience with LIMS and digital lab infrastructure.
• Use of in silico tools for construct design and expression optimisation.
• 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 and 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 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.