DSP Scientist; Mat Cover

Position: DSP Scientist (Mat Cover)
Downstream Process Development Scientist
12-month maternity cover | Darlington | £32,500 - £40,500 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 12-month maternity cover.

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, you will be expected to hit the ground running in the lab - running experiments, solving problems, and adapting processes, as projects evolve. This role suits someone who enjoys flexibility 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 robustness

Chromatography & Filtration

Operate and develop chromatography methods using ÄKTA systems
Design and optimise chromatographic purification strategies
Apply tangential flow filtration (TFF) and related DSP technologies

Analytical & Data Interpretation

Analyse and interpret experimental data using appropriate techniques
Maintain high-quality experimental records using ELN and document management systems
Present experimental conclusions clearly for internal and external stakeholders

Collaboration & 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 activities

About 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:

Hands-on experience in downstream processing gained in industry or academia
Strong, practical experience using ÄKTA chromatography systems
Experience designing and optimising chromatography-based purification processes
Familiarity with purification techniques including primary separation, clarification and TFF
Flexibility to adjust working hours around experimental needs

Desirable (but not essential):

Experience working with a variety of recombinant proteins, viral vectors, DNA/RNA-based products
Experience in early-stage, development-focused or non-rigid GMP environments

Applicants from academia are welcome, provided you have strong hands-on ÄKTA and purification experience.

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-solving
Opportunity for the role to convert to permanent
Competitive salary (£32.5k-£40.5k)
Location & Working Pattern

Based on-site in Darlington
Flexible working hours aligned to experimental requirements

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