Downstream Processing (DSP) Scientist in Whittlesford

Who we are: Life, Reimagined Constructive Bio is a VC-backed biotechnology startup based in Whittlesford, Cambridge. Our unique technology turns living cells into biofactories, creating sustainable new materials and therapeutics. With full control of the genetic sequence and code, we are exploring chemical space previously unreached by natural biology. Constructive Bio is a spinout from Professor Jason Chin's laboratory at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.

What we're looking for: We are looking for a driven Downstream Processing (DSP) Scientist to join our dynamic, collaborative group. This role will help us strengthen our route to commercialisation, enabling the scalable production of peptides and proteins with non-standard amino acids from our proprietary recoded strain of E. coli: Syn61. This platform has broad potential applications in new biologics therapies and beyond. Besides technical process development, the role requires ensuring communication between commercial and scientific teams. This position plays a significant part in our operations and the broader bioprocessing field, with great opportunities for role advancement. The ideal candidate will have experience working with and processing material from bacterial cultures at a range of scales, a drive to progress innovative technologies, and an eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimise, and scale-up Downstream microbial bioprocesses for a range of recombinant therapeutic proteins and peptides.
• Utilise various protein analytical techniques to assess quality & stability.
• Plan and conduct experiments for process optimisation, characterisation and quantification.
• Support technology transfer to manufacturing and assist with process validation activities.
• Contribute to the Technoeconomic assessment of Bioprocesses.
• Stay current with the latest bioprocessing techniques and technologies.
• Ensure work is performed in accordance with safety and quality system procedures.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Demonstrated project delivery in a relevant industrial setting.
• Experience in a GMP environment is a plus.
• Experience developing scalable downstream processes for high cell density microbial broth via e.g. cell disruption, centrifugation, filtration.
• Experience with protein purification techniques, including chromatography (HPLC, FPLC, etc.) and tangential flow filtration (TFF).
• Understanding of protein biochemistry and structural biology.
• Familiarity with protein analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, etc.
• Strong problem-solving skills, good oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and prioritise tasks.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with high cell density fermentation for E. coli in bench-top bioreactors.
• Experience with HPLC/LC-MS characterisation of peptides.
• Experience with design of experiment (DOE) methodology.
• Familiarity with Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
• Familiarity with DOE and other statistical techniques.
• Previous experience with tech transfer and scale-up processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements associated with biopharmaceutical process development.

What's in it for you?

We are a small but rapidly growing team, with a vision to become the programmable biomolecules company and push the boundaries of what's possible between biology and chemistry. As an early joiner, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape our trajectory and make real impact from day one. We offer:

• Newly fitted dedicated site in Whittlesford near Cambridge – on-site parking and regular trains to Cambridge, London and Norwich.
• Competitive salary.
• Employee share option plan.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Private health insurance.
• Pension plan (matching up to 8%).
• Collaborative and pioneering environment, at the leading edge of synthetic genomics and engineered translation.

We want to build a team with trust and respect for each other and create a culture of collaboration, openness, curiosity, and scientific excellence. We are built on three principles: We imagine: We think big and plan our own path for success. We pioneer: We take action and grow together as one to break moulds. We deliver: We take ownership and work together to deliver excellence. Constructive Bio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please note that we work in a dog-friendly office.