Lead Scientist - Novel Biomolecule Process Development

Who we are:

Constructive Bio is a growing Cambridge based biotechnology company built on a simple conviction: the molecules that matter most are often the ones that can’t yet be made. 

We’ve rewritten the genetic code give cells access to new ncAA chemical building blocks - expanding the space of proteins that can be designed, engineered, and manufactured. Our platform moves from unexplored molecular territory to industrial-scale production, turning scientific possibility into manufacturable reality.

From next-generation medicines to advanced materials, Constructive shifts the question from “can we make this?” to “what should we make next?”

We’re proud to be a spinout from Professor Jason Chin's laboratory at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. You can learn more about the Chin lab achievements here.

Since launching in 2022, Constructive Bio has raised $73 million in venture capital, including a $15 million seed round and a $58 million Series A, to commercialise our breakthrough synthetic genomics platform. Today, we are advancing a growing pipeline of programmes based on world-leading science, enabling the precise engineering of biology to create transformative medicines, materials and sustainable products. 

As a fast-growing biotech at the forefront of generative biology, we're building a team of exceptional people who share our ambition to redefine what's possible with biology. 

Join us and help shape the future of biology.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for a driven Lead Scientist – Novel Biomolecule Process Development 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 proteins, peptides and diverse chemistries with their associated purification and analytical workflows, a drive to progress innovative technologies, and an eagerness to learn. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Develop, optimise, and scale-up purification and processing strategies for a range of novel 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 peptide processing techniques and technologies. 

• Ensure work is performed in accordance with safety and quality system procedures. 

About you:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, Biotechnology, or related field, PhD level candidate preferred.  

• Demonstrated project delivery in a relevant industrial setting. Experience in a GMP environment is a plus. 

• Experience developing purification and processing strategies for protein and peptide products, ideally for use in scalable production of therapeutics  

• Extensive experience in method development and characterization of Proteins & ideally, small peptides via LC/MS and HPLC.  

• Experience purifying recombinant proteins via various chromatographic methods using AKTA systems (Primary capture, Ion-exchange, HIC).  

• A track record of successfully transferring methods to external CRO/CMO suppliers for the execution of production methods and associated analytics at scale.  

• The ideal candidate will have extensive experience and knowledge in peptide chemistry. 

• Strong problem-solving skills, good oral and written communication skills 

• Ability to operate effectively within a matrix managed environment, effectively managing time across multiple projects  

Great to haves:

• Understanding or technical experience with Solid-phase peptide synthesis 

• Experience developing methods for multiple step chemical modifications on peptides or small molecules for transfer to scalable operations.  

• Experience with design of experiment (DOE) methodology. 

• Familiarity with Quality by Design (QbD) principles. 

• Familiarity with high cell density fermentation for E. coli in bench-top bioreactors. 

• Previous experience with tech transfer and scale-up processes. 

• Understanding and experience interacting with the regulatory environment for recombinantly produced therapeutic proteins (CMC) 

Other details:

• Onsite position based at our laboratory space in Whittlesford, Cambridge.
• Please note that our office space is dog friendly.

Salary and benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary annual performance bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays   
• Company pension (matching up to 8%), life assurance, private medical insurance and group income protection schemes
• Opportunity to be part of our employee long term incentive scheme   
• Newly fitted, purpose-built facilities in Whittlesford, South Cambridge, with on-site parking and excellent rail links to Cambridge, London and Norwich   
• A collaborative and pioneering environment at the cutting edge of synthetic genomics and engineered translation   

Our principles:

We are committed to building a culture founded on trust, respect and collaboration, where curiosity, openness and scientific excellence thrive.

• 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.