Exciting Opportunity: Manager - Synthetic & Mammalian Upstream

Are you an experienced biologics leader looking to take the next step in your career? This innovative organisation is seeking a Manager in Synthetic & Mammalian Upstream to take ownership of a high‑impact technical team and drive the future of upstream biologics development.

Job Title: Manager - Synthetic & Mammalian Upstream
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full‑Time
Area: Darlington
Salary: £50,000-£66,000 DOE

The Role of the Manager - Synthetic & Mammalian Upstream

In this strategic leadership role, you will guide a multidisciplinary upstream team working across both synthetic and mammalian expression platforms. This position offers the chance to shape cutting‑edge projects, support technology strategy, and advance innovative therapeutic development. Key responsibilities include:

Leading, developing, and empowering a high‑performing scientific team
Providing expert technical direction on complex upstream biologics projects
Overseeing the development and scale‑up of synthetic and mammalian expression systems
Managing project timelines, resources, and cross‑functional coordination
Building external scientific networks and acting as a credible representative of the organisation
Supporting business development activities and contributing to future capability growth
Recent projects delivered by the team include:

Continuous bioprocessing technologies for rapid biotherapeutic manufacturing
Development of growth media for cultivated meat applications
Establishing a novel cell‑free expression system
The Ideal Candidate for the Manager Role

You will thrive in this role if you bring:

A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline, with senior‑level research experience
Strong recent expertise in mammalian upstream processing, including CHO and HEK293 systems and bioreactor scale‑up
Strong knowledge of eukaryotic gene design, cloning, and transfection
Experience in synthetic expression technologies, including mRNA synthesis is highly desirable
A proven track record of leading multidisciplinary technical projects and acting as the primary technical contact for clients or stakeholders
Recent leadership experience managing multiple technical specialists
Understanding of GMP principles for biopharmaceutical manufacturingDesired:

Familiarity with high‑throughput bioreactor platforms, advanced therapeutics, and perfusion processes
If you're ready to lead a talented upstream team and drive impactful scientific innovation, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the next generation of biologics.

For more information, please contact Selby De Klerk at SRG.

SRG are the UK's number one recruitment company specialising in the science, engineering, clinical, pharmaceutical, food/FMCG, renewable, biotech, chemicals and medical devices sectors.
As scientists ourselves, our specialist sector knowledge and passion are second to none. We're committed to providing outstanding career opportunities and expert recruitment services across all levels.

If this position isn't the right fit, feel free to get in touch or visit (url removed) to explore additional vacancies.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy