Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

The Role

At Lonza, the Lead Scientist is an expert in Mass Spectrometry and will play a crucial role in leading the development, optimisation, and troubleshooting of Mass Spectrometric methods.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Lead Scientist with significant and proven experience in developing mass spectrometric methods (LC-MS/MS) to monitor key protein attributes as well as knowledge in other physicochemical methods (eg RP, SEC, icIEF) to join our outstanding team at Lonza.

Based in Slough (UK). This role is pivotal to our ongoing success and growth. As a leading member of our laboratory team, you will be responsible for execution of analytical testing on therapeutic proteins to support product Characterisation, Biocomparability and other appropriate studies to meet the regulatory needs of our customers. You will collaborate with peers across teams to ensure meticulous execution of projects and lead improvements to our standard ways of working.

This is a perfect opportunity to join a team of circa 30 team members, to work on cutting-edge complex experiments and to support more junior colleagues to plan and execute their projects.

Key responsibilities:

• To lead major or complex work/projects simultaneously, ensuring scientific objectives and timelines are met and providing leadership to junior team members through their expert scientific knowledge.

• Communicate with external customers to demonstrate Lonza’s scientific credibility and grow relationships.

• Actively develop a methodology for analytical separation and characterisation of biotherapeutic proteins, with a key focus on MS-based techniques.

• Develop approaches to improve work efficiency, provide support for non-standard molecules and maintain offerings in line with industry and regulatory expectations.

• Provide support and encourage the development of MS users and system owners.

• Execution of assigned assays with a focus on safety, quality, timeliness, and accuracy adhering to regulatory requirements, where appropriate.

• Performing technical review of assays to support reference standard and biochemical comparability studies ensuring results reported are scientifically sound and generated in line with current regulatory guidance and expectations.

• Maintenance of analytical equipment, technologies and/or systems required to support characterisation stages.

• Deliver practical training and actively participate in scientific discussions.

Key requirements:

• Practical experience in developing and troubleshooting Mass Spectrometric methods such as intact mass analysis and peptide mapping to monitor protein’s critical quality attributes

• Theoretical knowledge of protein chemistry and regulatory requirements applicable to performing characterisation and biochemical comparability studies

• Capability to critically analyse data, interpret results, and lead root cause analyses

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team to ensure business, regulatory and customer needs are met. Using your knowledge and skills to lead and guide project teams where appropriate

• Proven track record of being able to develop the skills of junior colleagues, particularly with respect to providing guidance and training in the use of LC-MS techniques

• Outstanding organisational and communication skills, with the ability to effectively determine project priorities and meet deadlines.

• Dedication to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest scientific and regulatory advancements

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.