Senior Lead Scientist – Team Lead Microbial Host Cell Engineering

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

As a leading CDMO we continuously drive innovation and focus on the development of state-of-the-art microbial production processes. To further improve Lonza’s microbial XS technology platform we are looking for a Senior Lead Scientist – Team Lead Microbial Host Cell Engineering at our R&D site in Visp, Switzerland. As a member of the  Microbial R&D Team in Lonza Biologics you will collaborate with other R&D teams, external collaboration partners and academic institutions and closely interact with our on-site microbial CDMO services. In this role you will lead a dynamic team of scientists and technicians and will be responsible for timely project delivery.

Using an integrated/interdisciplinary approach, you will develop optimized microbial production strains which are compatible with platform bioprocesses for microbial manufacturing. As a SME for microbial Host Cell Engineering  you will participate in the execution of Lonza's innovation strategy and support the development of attractive new offerings for our customers.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead internal and external innovation projects from concept to delivery and align these with Lonza’s strategic innovation programs, CDMO services and commercial business needs

• As a subject matter expert you will provide cross-discipline scientific expertise to Lonza’s R&D teams while establishing a strong network with external experts, CRO’s and academia

• Support the innovation process in Host Cell Engineering by providing scientific expertise and ensure successful technology transfer to Lonza’s microbial CDMO services

• Integrate automation and analytical high-throughput technologies in the microbial host cell engineering workflow

• Lead and develop a team of scientists and technicians and ensure project supervision, documentation and reporting

Key requirements:

• PhD in biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a similar field

• Strong background in Molecular Biology or Synthetic Biology, preferably in the context of Microbial Host Cell Engineering for recombinant proteins; experience in bioprocess engineering or bioanalytics is a strong plus

• 5-10 years of proven Project Management experience, ideally in industry

• Leadership experience (ideally in a matrix organisation) combined with a Lean/agile mindset

• Scientific rigor, organizational skills and ability to communicate results internally and outside Lonza

• Experience in automation, high-throughput screening or data science would be a plus

• Excellent communication skills in English complete your profile. German is a plus

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Reference: R45184