Director Discovery Process and Analytical Development

Proclinical is partnering with a highly innovative biotechnology organization that is part of a leading global biopharmaceutical group. The company is at the cutting edge of next-generation in vivo cell and gene therapies, with a particular focus on novel lentiviral vector platforms designed to transform how therapies are delivered and manufactured. Combining the agility of a research-driven biotech with the scale and resources of a major pharmaceutical organization, this is a collaborative, science-first environment where creativity and technical excellence are encouraged, and where discovery work has a clear line of sight to patient impact.

The Opportunity

Proclinical is seeking a Director, Process Innovation to lead discovery-stage process development and analytical innovation for an emerging lentiviral vector platform. This is a strategic leadership role focused on early-stage process design, platform building, and technical de-risking, rather than routine manufacturing or late-stage CMC. You will play a critical role in shaping how vectors are produced, characterized, and translated from bench to scalable bioreactor systems - creating the technical foundation that future CMC teams will build upon.

What You'll Do:

• Define and drive the vision for early process innovation in lentiviral vector production, operating at the interface of discovery science and enabling technologies.
• Design and optimize processes suitable for small-scale bioreactor manufacturing.
• Lead the development of fit-for-purpose analytical methods to assess vector quality, potency, and consistency at the discovery stage.
• Support the engineering of novel production cell lines to enable next-generation vector platforms.
• Collaborate closely with discovery scientists, CMC, QA, and external CDMOs to ensure alignment and future tech-transfer readiness.
• Provide expert technical judgment, critically evaluating experimental plans, data packages, and external deliverables.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team that values innovation, rigor, and accountability.

What You'll Bring:

• MSc or PhD in Virology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven years of industry experience in bioprocess development and analytical sciences, ideally within viral vectors.
• Proven leadership in early-stage process development, preferably with lentiviral systems.
• Experience working with and overseeing CDMOs or external manufacturing partners.
• Solid understanding of regulatory expectations for gene or cell therapy CMC development.
• Strong communication skills, collaborative mindset, and a passion for advancing transformative medicines.

Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to shape how future in vivo cell therapies are made - defining new technical standards, enabling innovative platforms, and accelerating the path from discovery to scalable therapies that could transform patient care.