Principal Scientist (Oxford)

Job description:

We want you to feel inspired every day. We’re future-focused and our business is growing. We succeed together through passion, commitment and teamwork, and so can you.

We are currently recruiting for a Team Lead to join the Process Development (PD) team. The successful candidate will ensure the timely delivery of high-quality scientific results, troubleshooting challenges, and driving process improvements.

OXB’s Process Development team consists of experienced scientists and engineers that have extensive expertise in all aspects of upstream and downstream development, and analytical testing. They take processes from the laboratory “bench” scale and apply process expertise and engineering fundamentals for delivery to Manufacturing.

Your responsibilities in this role would:

• Provide scientific leadership in the execution and analysis of assays to support upstream and downstream process development activities.
• Ensure the successful and timely delivery of results in accordance with the analytics schedule, agreed timelines and project objectives, maintaining high-quality standards.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and in-depth investigations into assay performance, resolving technical issues and improving reliability of results.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements across analytical workflows and processes to optimise productivity and resource utilisation.
• Be responsible for the allocation of PD Analytics work to ensure project milestones are metthrough the use of scheduling and resource planning software.
• Serve as a PD primary point of contact for client interactions, clearly communicating scientific progress, results, and any technical challenges while maintaining strong client relationships.
• Lead initiatives to drive innovation within the team, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and approaches to improve assay development and data analysis.

We are looking for:

• Minimum BSc Degree programme level, a postgraduate degree and/or relevant experience.
• Proven hands-on experience with a selection of bioprocess analytical assays (such as, but not limited to: ELISAs, plate-based assays, cell-based assays, HPLC, nucleic acid extractions and qPCR), with a deep understanding of their applications and limitations.
• A broad understanding of lentiviral vector (or equivalent biologics) bioprocessing development.
• Experience in leading a team to deliver analytical results and projects to required timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to implement efficiency improvements and streamline processes.
• Proficiency in scheduling and resource management software.
• Experience in handling client-facing projects, including providing project updates, reporting data, and addressing client needs.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally within the company and with external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of regulatory and quality compliance standards (e.g., GMP, GLP) is desirable.
• You to demonstrate OXB’s core values of: responsible, responsive, resilience, and respect to deliver high-quality analytical assays in a timely manner.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

About Us:

OXB is a quality and innovation-led viral vector CDMO with a mission to enable its clients to deliver life changing therapies to patients around the world. One of the original pioneers in cell and gene therapy, we have more than 25 years of experience in viral vectors; the driving force behind the majority of gene therapies.

OXB collaborates with some of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, providing viral vector development and manufacturing expertise in lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and adenoviral vectors. OXB’s world-class capabilities span from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods, and depth of regulatory expertise.

What’s in it for you:

• Highly competitive total reward packages
• Wellbeing programmes
• Development opportunities
• Welcoming, friendly, supportive colleagues
• A diverse and inclusive working environment
• State of the art laboratory and manufacturing facilities

Collaborate. Contribute. Change lives

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We offer:

Oxford Biomedica is a quality and innovation-led viral vector CDMO that enables its clients to deliver life-changing therapies to patients around the world. One of the original pioneers in cell and gene therapy, Oxford Biomedica has more than 25 years of experience in viral vectors, the driving force behind the majority of gene therapies.

Cell and gene therapy is the treatment of disease by the delivery of therapeutic genetic material (DNA or RNA), into a patient’s cells. One highly effective approach to delivering genetic information is to re-engineer existing viruses to be safe delivery vehicles (vectors) to insert the genetic material into patients’ cells. This can be achieved either by directly administering the vector to the patient (often referred to as in vivo gene therapy), or by first introducing the genetic material to cells or tissue outside of the body, before administering the cells or tissue into the patient (often referred to as ex vivo gene therapy or gene-modified cell therapy).

Oxford Biomedica collaborates with some of the world's most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, providing viral vector development and manufacturing expertise in lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and adenoviral vectors. Oxford Biomedica's world-class capabilities span from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods and depth of regulatory expertise.

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