Senior Downstream Scientist for Early-Stage Process Development

Our purpose is to bring hope to life by enabling life-changing therapies for patients around the globe, creating a healthier and happier tomorrow. Our mission is to work side by side with our customers in order to improve patients’ lives by bringing new biopharmaceuticals to market.

Senior Downstream Scientist for Early-Stage Process Development at AGC Biologics

Help turn breakthrough ideas into life-changing medicines. Join a fast-growing CDMO where your downstream expertise drives innovation and accelerates our customers’ biologics from concept to clinic.

ABOUT AGC BIOLOGICS

At AGC Biologics, we are a global leader in biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing, offering high-quality solutions for protein-based therapeutics, gene therapies, and other advanced biologics. We partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies of all sizes to provide tailored solutions across the entire product lifecycle. Our commitment to innovation, technical expertise, and client success drives us to deliver results that make a difference in patients’ lives.

THE DEPARTMENT AND TEAM

The Early-Stage Process Development Department (ESD) plays a crucial role in bringing new drugs from concepts to patients, with projects ranging from early pre-clinical development through clinical studies. From a downstream perspective, the department is responsible for transfer runs from our customers, early-stage process development, formulation development, pilot-scale purifications, and viral clearance studies.  

The department is composed by three interdisciplinary teams, where upstream, downstream, and analytical experts work together to achieve the project goals.  You will be part of a group of highly dedicated laboratory technicians and scientists collaborating on development and optimization of processes. The teams are driving the projects, and you will experience close collaboration within the team between different technical disciplines. We develop processes using a wide range of chromatographic and filtration techniques and collaborate with various stakeholders such as Process Transfer and Manufacturing. You will experience a dynamic and flexible working place with many opportunities to both contribute and develop.

THE ROLE

As a Senior Downstream Scientist in ESD, you will take a leading role in designing, executing, and optimizing purification processes for protein-based therapeutics.

This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies, mentor junior colleagues, and drive innovation in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of downstream processes, including clarification, centrifugation, chromatography, and ultrafiltration.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate process parameters, including DoE studies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of downstream processes with upstream and analytical workflows.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to laboratory technicians and junior scientists.
• Prepare and review technical protocols and reports to support regulatory filings and customer deliverables.

YOUR PROFILE

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related scientific/technical field. In addition, we expect you to have:

• 2-3 years of experience in downstream process development, preferably in a CDMO or biopharmaceutical setting.
• Hands-on experience in protein purification methods (experience with FPLC systems such as Äkta is a requirement). 
• Experience with downscale model qualification and viral clearance study for early-stage projects is considered as a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with working in a cGMP environment is considered a plus. 
• Experience or interest in analytical methods such as UV/VIS Spectrophotometry, HPLC, and CE SDS-PAGE. 
• Excellent English communication skills (spoken & written).

On a personal level we expect you to be a high-performing team player and to be ambitious on behalf of yourself and the company. You master the balance between speed of execution and quality of work. You embrace change and enjoy a rapid pace of work in a positive, can-do attitude and with a good sense of humor. You are experienced with working cross-functionally and internationally.

APPLICATION AND CONTACT
We screen applications on a rolling basis—please apply as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Hiring Manager, Anas Al-Khawaja, at akhawaja@agcbio.com