Principal Scientist

About Client - They are building next-generation biotechnology platforms powered by synthetic biology, precision fermentation, metabolic engineering, and advanced bioprocessing. We are developing scalable, sustainable, and commercially viable bio-based products for global markets.

Position Overview

We are seeking a technically strong and execution-oriented Analytical Lead Scientist to establish and lead the analytical workflow across strain development, fermentation, downstream processing, and final product characterization. This role will be responsible for building robust analytical platforms, defining critical quality attributes (CQAs), and ensuring data integrity to support R&D, scale-up, regulatory submissions, and commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement end-to-end analytical workflows supporting upstream and downstream process development.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for protein quantification, purity assessment, and structural characterization.
• Lead analytical characterization using HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, GC, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, UV-Vis, ELISA, and related platforms.
• Establish assays for monitoring fermentation kinetics, metabolite profiling, and impurity analysis.
• Define and monitor Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) for food-grade recombinant proteins.
• Ensure analytical method robustness, reproducibility, and documentation aligned with industrial standards.
• Collaborate closely with strain engineering, fermentation, DSP, and regulatory teams.
• Support technology transfer and scale-up by ensuring analytical comparability across scales.
• Build and mentor the analytical team, including training, SOP development, and quality oversight.
• Drive data analysis, statistical interpretation, and reporting for internal reviews, investors, and grant submissions.

Technical Competencies

• Strong expertise in protein biochemistry and analytical characterization.
• Hands-on experience with chromatographic techniques (IEX, RP, SEC, HIC).
• Experience with mass spectrometry-based protein identification and quantification.
• Familiarity with impurity profiling, host cell protein analysis, and endotoxin testing.
• Experience establishing analytical labs from scratch, including equipment selection and vendor management.
• Understanding of food safety, regulatory requirements, and quality systems (HACCP, ISO, GLP preferred).
• Proficiency in statistical data analysis and scientific reporting.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's (with significant experience) in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, or related field.
• 8–10+ years of relevant analytical experience in biotech industry.
• Demonstrated experience in method development, validation, and scale-up support.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.