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CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

CPI has an opportunity for a Scientist to join the established and growing Host Strain Development team. Based at Wilton Centre, Redcar the team is focused on the delivery of projects aimed at and in collaboration with clients and partners in the food, feed and agritech sector.

Reporting to the Host Strain Development Manager, you will contribute to the delivery of a varied range of research projects; constructing microbial strains using synthetic biology approaches; assessing strains in small scale fermentation processes; microbiological work, and developing and implementing biochemical assays. You will provide support in an array of lab-to-pilot scale projects, optimisation of recombinant protein expression, production of biological agri-products, and generation of microbial biomass.

The work is diverse and often interdisciplinary, working closely with the fermentation, downstream processing, analytical and tech transfer teams. The role will allow you to gain experience of working with many different industrially relevant microorganisms, as well as real, in-depth, applicable experience in strain engineering development and process scale-up.

This makes the role a great opportunity for anybody who may have recently graduated in a relevant discipline and/or are looking to commence a career in an industrial environment or for those who have relevant industrial experience. If you are interested in this opportunity, please provide details of relevant skills and experience gained via placement, final year project work, and /or industrial experience in your cover letter or application. See below links to find out more information about the work carried out by CPI’s Biotechnology team!

• Biotechnology at CPI
• AgriFood at CPI
• Novel Food
• Case study — Azotic Technologies
• CPI sustainability series – Agritech

This appointment will be made at Scientist 1 or Scientist 2 depending relevant skills and experience. Key tasks in the roles will include (but are not limited to the below) — please download the job descriptions for full details (and differentiation between scientist 1 and 2 level) on the CPI careers page.

• To support the delivery of lab-scale projects, supporting strain development projects utilising a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and yeasts.
• To support the development of microbial strains and systems for the production of proteins, enzymes, live cell products, and other biologically derived products.
• To assist in the scale up of microbial processes to provide proof of successful process development/optimisation.
• To run small scale cultures and fermentation processes for the production of cell biomass and optimisation of protein expression at laboratory scale.
• To support the technical transfer of laboratory-developed processes to pilot and demonstration-scale.
• To work closely with commercial clients to develop scalable processes and to work in partnership with colleagues to design and schedule experimental approaches.
• To contribute to general running of a busy research and development laboratory including support of equipment running and general housekeeping.

It is essential you are qualified to a minimum of degree level (BSc, Msc or equivalent) in a related discipline.

You should also:

• Possess knowledge of molecular biology processes for construction of genetically modified microorganisms.
• Have the ability to actively demonstrate knowledge of microbiology and aseptic technique.
• Possess knowledge in basic analytical techniques such as assays for protein and nucleic acids.
• Can actively support diverse or complex technical activities as part of a team.
• Can demonstrate evidence of self motivation, learning and networking with peer groups.

It is desirable that you have:

• Demonstrable industrial experience is highly desirable, or knowledge gained via final year project or industrial placement.
• Relevant experience in the field of biotechnology, agrifood or microbiology.
• Knowledge of bacterial and fungal microorganisms, protein expression and/or molecular technologies.

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.