Research Fellow Role in Bioprocessing and Biomanufacture of Cell and Gene T

at  University College London

ABOUT US

We are recruiting a proactive, collaborative, and highly motivated Research Fellow to join the Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocessing Group at UCL and lead research in Bioprocessing and Biomanufacture of Gene Therapy Products. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing scalable production processes for mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations, focusing on their application in innovative in vivo CAR-T therapies and other cutting-edge gene therapy approaches. The role will involve developing and optimising bioprocesses for the production of mRNA-LNPs at multi-litre scales, addressing critical challenges in manufacturing, including improving efficiency, consistency, and product quality. This work will play a crucial part in enabling scalable and reproducible processes for next-generation gene therapies. UCL Biochemical Engineering’s cell and gene therapy research benefits from an investment exceeding £10m, with a focus on gene delivery, non-viral technologies, and bioprocessing for advanced therapeutics. The Research Fellow will join the CGTB group, which comprises over 10 doctoral researchers and four postdoctoral Research Fellows. This advertised role will further expand the group, offering the successful candidate opportunities to manage and lead projects and activities within the wider team, contributing to the development of transformative technologies in gene therapy.

The primary role of the Research Fellow will be to lead and execute experimental studies focused on the bioprocessing and scalable production of mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for gene therapy applications. This will involve developing and optimising manufacturing processes, investigating critical process parameters, and improving the efficiency, consistency, and quality of mRNA-LNP formulations. Key responsibilities will include the development of scalable protocols for mRNA synthesis and purification, formulation and characterisation of lipid nanoparticles, and the integration of these processes into continuous and large-scale production workflows. The role will also require expertise in bioreactor operations, upstream and downstream processing, and quality control methodologies. The candidate will establish and optimise new assays and experimental protocols to evaluate product stability, encapsulation efficiency, and gene delivery efficacy. Familiarity with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards and regulatory requirements is essential, as is an understanding of the commercial landscape of mRNA-LNP-based therapeutics. In addition to leading their research programme, the Research Fellow will play a central role in managing and supporting projects within the CGTB Group. This includes mentoring doctoral students, collaborating with external industrial and academic partners, and contributing to the development of new initiatives in the field of mRNA and LNP bioprocessing.