CVIM Process Scientist

Closing date: 5 October 2023

About the Centre for Veterinary vaccine Innovation & Manufacturing (CVIM)

The Centre for Veterinary vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) at The Pirbright Institute has been recently established to help meet an unmet global need for livestock vaccines. CVIM offers an exciting opportunity to bridge the gaps between research, expertise in process development, and manufacturing of innovative vaccines for neglected, zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases of livestock. The selected candidate will be expected to support research and development (R&D) activities of CVIM and will join the CVIM process development team and be supervised by the Process Development and Facility Lead. The advertised role provides a unique opportunity to develop new scientific and technical skills across a range of vaccine platforms and to engage with collaborators and industry.

All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.

Main duties and responsibilities:

The main focus of the advertised position is to support the development of multiple veterinary vaccines and will include early-stage R&D activities, the development of manufacturing processes (up-stream and down-stream) and their scale-up, as well as quality assurance and assessment of vaccine efficacy. The work will incorporate methods, quality assurance, good laboratory practices (GLP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP) aligned with industry. The role will involve working in a team of skilled CVIM scientists across a variety of vaccine platforms. 

  • To support R&D activities and projects conducted within CVIM.
  • To assist in the development of new upstream and downstream processes suitable for the development and scale-up of new veterinary vaccines.
  • To assist in the assessment of antigen production and quality assurance.
  • To prepare reference antigens and perform serology assays using vaccinate sera.
  • To incorporate good laboratory practice (GLP) to a compatible standard to that used during the development of commercial vaccines by major manufacturers.
  • To assist in work towards GMP accreditation.
  • To participate in training necessary for CVIM activities.

Person Specification

  • Results driven.
  • Excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to be reliable under pressure.
  • Passionate about your research and provide inspiration and creativity to other team members. 
  • Excellent decision-making/problem-solving skills
  • Action-oriented whilst ability to demonstrate emotional intelligence.
  • Diplomatic

Due to the nature of the work we do, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

We would like to encourage all overseas applicants to consider the Tier 1 Global Talent Visa route. This has been designed for eligible, scientific researchers to work and live in the UK, subject to certain criteria. Please see for further information under the link: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

The Pirbright Institute may be able to make a financial contribution towards the cost of immigration to the UK.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

  • A PhD or equivalent in a relevant branch of biosciences
  • Laboratory experience that encompasses a wide range of cell culture, molecular biology and virology techniques.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a group.
  • Ability to multitask with good planning skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.

Desirable

  • Good networking skills with the ability to build effective collaborative relationships.
  • Experience in working with bioreactor processes for eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell production.
  • Experience of down-stream vaccine production processes.
  • Experience of working with pathogens and/or in high containment facilities.
  • Experience of working with genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs)
  • Experience of working to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and/ or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
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