Senior Scientist I - Protein Purification & Automation

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Scientist to join our Protein Biochemistry team, with a primary focus on protein purification and automation at scale.

This role requires deep technical expertise in high-throughput purification workflows, including the handling of complex, aggregation-prone, and otherwise difficult to purify proteins. You will play a key role in designing, implementing, and scaling automated purification platforms, while ensuring delivery of high-quality protein and data to support drug discovery programs. Through hands-on scientific leadership, you will drive multiple projects simultaneously and contribute to advancing both platform capabilities and scientific excellence.

Job Title: Senior Scientist Protein Purification & Automation
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG

Our Company
Evotec is a leader in the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs with operational sites in Europe and the US. The Company has built substantial drug discovery expertise and an industrialised platform that can drive new innovative small molecule compounds into the clinic. In addition, Evotec has built a deep internal knowledge base in the treatment of diseases related to neuroscience, pain, oncology, inflammation and metabolic diseases. Leveraging these skills and expertise the Company intends to develop best-in-class differentiated therapeutics and deliver superior science-driven discovery alliances with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Key Accountabilities

• Design, optimise, and execute robust protein purification workflows (manual and automated) across multiple scales.
• Lead development of high-throughput purification platforms, including multi-step automated workflows.
• Apply advanced strategies to purify challenging, unstable, aggregation-prone, or low-yield proteins.
• Integrate purification workflows with expression and characterisation pipelines to maximise throughput and data quality.
• Develop and implement protein purification workflows using liquid handling systems and ÄKTA platforms.
• Drive automation of complex, multi-step purification processes.
• Contribute to digital workflow development (e.g., LIMS integration, data capture, traceability).
• Leverage programming (e.g., Python or equivalent) to enhance automation, data handling, and process optimisation.
• Design and implement protein characterisation strategies (e.g., purity, stability, aggregation, activity).
• Ensure high-quality, quality controlled, reproducible data generation and documentation.
• Responsible for supporting multiple projects and may be asked to direct internal resources efficiently to achieve agreed goals.
• Where responsible for reports, will lead colleagues to co-develop plans for personal growth, aligned to business need.
• Represent the company at scientific and/or business conferences.
• Presents and publishes as appropriate peer-reviewed science increasing own and Evotec’s scientific reputation.

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience in recombinant protein purification, with clear expertise in:
• High-throughput purification strategies through automation and scale-up
• Extensive experience with difficult protein targets (unstable, aggregation-prone)
• Strong hands-on experience with chromatography systems (e.g., ÄKTA) and Liquid handling / automation platforms supporting protein purification workflows
• Proven track record of designing and optimising purification workflows end-to-end.
• Experience delivering high-quality protein and data under tight timelines.
• Strong understanding of protein biochemistry within drug discovery workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and troubleshoot purification challenges.
• Experience in working with cell free expression systems is desirable
• Programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python) for automation and data processing and familiarity with LIMS and digital lab workflows.
• Experience with in silico-based tools for sequence and structural analysis is desired.
• Experience of preparing and executing workplans and building trusted partnership with internal and external customers. Requires a track record of leading scientists across specialist fields.
• Requires a track record of facilitating employee growth through co-development of personal development plans.
• Track record of successful problem-solving, high-quality science and influencing of stakeholders and colleagues.
• Experience of scientific development and research work ideally with publications in a relevant scientific field.

Education and Qualifications

• Ideally a Ph.D. degree or corresponding experience in a relevant scientific discipline with > 5 years of relevant experience in industry. Alternatively, a relevant first degree and several years additional experience in drug discovery.

Benefits Package

• Pension contributions up to a maximum of 7.5% employer match.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days up to 30 days.
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employee and their partner/family.
• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services.
• Permanent health insurance providing 75% of the base salary.
• Private dental cover.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Refer a friend scheme, team and annual events, and recognition awards.

Onsite Facilities

• Secure onsite parking.
• Restaurant, Café, and Gastro pub.
• Gym and workout studio, running, walking, and cycling routes.
• Shuttle bus service.

In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.