Downstream Scientist

Downstream Process Development Scientist

Permanent | Darlington | £26,939- £36,000 per annum + attractive benefits

About the Role

CPI is seeking a hands-on Downstream Process Development Scientist to join their bioprocessing team in Darlington on a permanent basis.

This is a practical, lab-based role focused on the design, development, and optimisation of downstream purification processes for advanced biologics. You will play a key role in delivering DSP activities across a range of modalities, including viral vectors and nucleic acid-based products, in a fast-moving and highly experimental environment.

Reporting into the DSP leadership team, will be responsible for running experiments, solving problems, and adapting processes, as projects evolve. This role suits someone who enjoys flexibility, iteration, and scientific creativity rather than rigid, highly constrained environments.

The role is based on-site in Darlington, working as part of an established DSP team of approximately 11 scientists.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Downstream Process Development

Design, develop, and optimise downstream purification processes for biopharmaceutical products
Carry out hands-on laboratory experimentation and pilot-scale DSP runs
Apply chromatography and filtration techniques to improve yield, purity, and robustnessChromatography & Filtration

Operate and develop chromatography methods using ÄKTA systems
Design and optimise and run chromatographic purification strategies
Apply tangential flow filtration (TFF) and related DSP technologiesAnalytical & Data Interpretation

Analyse and interpret experimental data using techniques such as:
ELISA
HPLC / UPLC
SDS-PAGE
Maintain high-quality experimental records using ELN and document management systems
Present experimental conclusions clearly for internal and external stakeholdersCollaboration & Laboratory Operations

Work closely with upstream, analytical, and project teams to deliver customer programmes
Contribute to the efficient operation of the DSP laboratory, including equipment care and maintenance
Support scale-up, knowledge transfer, and process troubleshooting activitiesAbout You

You are a practical downstream processing scientist who enjoys being in the lab and is comfortable working in an evolving, sometimes ambiguous research and development environment.

You bring curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to try different approaches - and you're not phased by processes that aren't fully defined from day one.

You'll bring:

Demonstratable experience of planning and delivering complex laboratory technical work, data analysis and reporting
Theoretical and practical knowledge in Biochemistry, Biologics Purification, Biochemical Engineering and relevant analytical techniques.
Experience designing and optimising chromatography-based purification processes
Familiarity with TFF, ELISA, and HPLC/UPLC techniques
Flexibility to adjust working hours around experimental needsDesirable (but not essential):

Experience using ÄKTA chromatography systems
Experience working with AAV, viral vectors, or DNA/RNA-based products
Background beyond monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
Experience in early-stage, development-focused or non-rigid GMP environmentsApplicants from academia are welcome.

Why Join CPI?

A genuinely hands-on laboratory role with real scientific ownership
Exposure to emerging modalities and advanced bioprocessing technologies
A collaborative team that values experimentation and problem-solvingLocation & Working Pattern

Based on-site in Darlington
Flexible working hours aligned to experimental requirementsGuidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed