Lead Analytical Scientist – Mass Spectrometry

Overview

As a Lead Analytical Scientist at Lonza in Slough, you drive analytical characterization of therapeutic proteins. You will lead complex projects, develop and optimise mass spectrometry–based methods, and support product characterisation and regulatory studies. You will work on state-of-the-art analytical technologies and mentor colleagues to build expertise in protein characterisation and MS. This in-person role enables precise collaboration and high-quality medicines, with a clear impact on biotherapeutic characterisation and comparability.

Pay / Benefits

• agile career and dynamic culture
• inclusive workplace
• advanced analytical technologies
• lead scientific projects and mentor colleagues
• competitive compensation
• variety of benefits

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytical projects from planning to execution, ensuring quality and regulatory alignment
• Develop, optimise and troubleshoot analytical methods for therapeutic proteins, focusing on LC-MS/MS and supportive techniques (RP, SEC, icIEF)
• Apply mass spectrometry to analyse protein structure, size, charge variants and PTMs, and interpret data to draw robust conclusions
• Provide technical leadership, training and hands-on support for LC-MS applications and systems
• Perform and review analytical testing for product characterisation, reference standards and comparability studies with thorough documentation
• Collaborate with internal teams and external customers, clearly communicating findings and Lonza’s capabilities
• Drive continuous improvement by developing efficient approaches and contributing to root cause investigations while maintaining regulatory standards
• Mentor and develop junior scientists in practical LC-MS and analytical characterisation skills

Key requirements

• Significant hands-on experience with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein/biotherapeutic characterisation (essential)
• Proven experience developing, validating, optimising and troubleshooting protein analytical methods including LC-based techniques (RP, SEC); capillary electrophoresis/icIEF desirable
• Experience using LC-MS/MS to characterise protein primary structure, size, charge variants and PTMs, with ability to interpret MS data
• Strong understanding of protein chemistry and regulatory expectations related to therapeutic characterisation and biochemical comparability
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex scientific projects, perform root cause analysis and maintain high scientific standards
• Proven experience mentoring or training junior scientists in LC-MS and analytical characterisation
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with customers and stakeholders

• Strong communication
• Collaborative mindset
• Mentoring and leadership
• LC-MS/MS
• Protein characterisation
• RP-HPLC

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