Principal Protein Scientist - Membrane & Difficult-to-Express Proteins with Digital Focus in Bracknell

We have an exciting opportunity for a lab-based, data-driven principal protein scientist specialising in difficult to express and membrane proteins. This position emphasises hands-on protein science work (70%) while embracing digital innovation through AI-based tools and emerging technologies (30%). You will seamlessly integrate traditional bench work with modern computational methods to accelerate protein discovery and optimize delivery processes. The role demands both practical laboratory excellence and the ability to harness digital technologies, creating a dynamic blend of established protein science techniques and innovative computational approaches. Within this role you will lead strategic protein projects and initiatives, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to advance Syngenta’s scientific and digital capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Leading and delivering expression and purification projects from concept to implementation, providing scientific, data driven leadership and technical guidance to team members and project stakeholders through product lines.
• Applying and evaluating AI based tools (e.g., AlphaFold, Protein MPNN) for protein design, prediction, and optimisation, integrating outputs into experimental planning.
• Developing innovative approaches to overcome complex protein challenges by combining experimental expertise with computational insights and employing digital approaches.
• Driving continuous improvement through data analytics, process automation, and adoption of emerging digital technologies to enhance reproducibility, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborating with cross functional teams (biology, chemistry, digital, data science) to deliver on key project and portfolio objectives.
• Exploring and piloting new digital platforms, including microfluidics, closed loop protein production systems, and AI enabled decision support tools.
• Creating science work plans with relevant outsourcing partners, ensuring integration of data driven approaches and digital collaboration tools.
• Working safely, ensuring compliance with company HSE policies.

Qualifications

• PhD/Postdoctoral level or equivalent experience in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or related fields.
• Extensive hands-on experience with protein expression in eukaryotic hosts, purification, and characterization, with expertise in protein purification techniques (broad experience with chromatography methods including affinity, ion exchange (IEX), hydrophobic interaction (HIC), and size exclusion (SEC and FSEC).
• Hands on experience with difficult to express proteins (e.g., peptides) and membrane proteins, including use of novel detergents/nanobodies (incl. MSPs).
• Extensive laboratory-based protein science expertise alongside a forward-thinking, data-driven approach.
• Knowledge of protein characterisation methods for quality assessment (including biophysical techniques) and molecular design for expression constructs, with demonstrated use of AI tools for protein modelling, prediction, and optimisation.
• Strong understanding of recombinant protein expression systems including baculovirus and mammalian.
• Proven track record of scientific innovation combining data-driven decision making.
• Experience in directing project strategy based on integrated experimental and computational data with the ability to present complex scientific and digital concepts clearly.

Additional Information

Our site Jealott's Hill International Research Centre UK is situated in pleasant semi-rural surroundings between Bracknell and Maidenhead and is the place of work for approximately 800 Syngenta scientists and support staff. Jealott’s Hill is one of the main global research and development sites and key activities include research into discovery of new active ingredients, new formulation technologies, product safety and technical support of our product range.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Campus environment.
• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.
• The chance to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees.
• A vibrant growth and learning culture and wide range of training options.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Journal. Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Jealott’s Hill has Disability Confident certification. We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to all candidates and our Jealott’s Hill site are a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application and we will do everything we can to support you.