Biological Characterization Project Lead (UK) (Slough, Berkshire, GB) presso UCB

Make your mark for patients

We are looking for a Senior Scientist (Biological Characterization Project Lead) who is analytical, collaborative, and proactive to join our Characterisation and Material Sciences (CMS) department, based out of our offices in Slough, UK or Braine l’Alleud, Belgium.

About the Role

You will join a team of 60 experienced scientists responsible for the comprehensive characterisation of proteins using advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry, AUC, and higher-order methods. Your work will help elucidate protein structure, function, degradation pathways, and support critical quality attribute (CQA) assessment and control strategies. This role is not lab-based and focuses on supporting early-phase projects as they prepare for INDs, requiring both technical expertise and strong project management skills.

You will collaborate with colleagues in characterisation, formulation, analytical method development, upstream and downstream science, devices, quality control, stability, statistics, regulatory, and quality assurance. You’ll also interact with teams across the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, the US, contract labs, and academic partners. The environment is dynamic, with multiple parallel activities and changing priorities, so adaptability and minimal supervision are essential.

Who You’ll Work With

You will work closely with scientists across CMS, formulation, analytical, and regulatory teams, as well as with external contract labs and academic collaborators. You’ll present data and insights to project teams and management, ensuring alignment and quality throughout the project lifecycle.

What You’ll Do

• Represent early-stage projects both technically and as a project manager
• Input into the design of characterisation work packages
• Contribute to critical quality attribute (CQA) assessments
• Author and review analytical aspects of regulatory submissions, protocols, and reports
• Liaise with scientists to obtain and interpret data
• Communicate issues and findings to principal scientists and management
• Manage documentation, including risk assessments and quality management system activities
• Ensure quality processes are maintained and followed
• Engage in self-learning by reviewing relevant scientific literature

Interested? For this role, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or PhD preferred
• At least 5–10 years of industrial experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical characterisation, with sustained project representation experience
• Excellent knowledge of protein chemistry
• Proficiency in electronic document management systems, quality management systems, and risk databases
• Experience working with internal regulatory teams and responding to regulatory agency submissions

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you! 

About us 
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 8,500 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science. 

Why work with us? 
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. 

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.
 
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [email protected]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.