About

• We are seeking an exceptional Protein Biochemist / Protein Purification Scientist to join our rapidly growing biotech team developing the world’s first true plant-made, bio-identical collagen.
• You will play acentral role in designing, troubleshooting, and executing analytical and purification workflows for recombinant collagen and other complex proteins expressed in plants, algae, and microbial systems.
• This role demands a scientist who can think independently, troubleshoot deeply, and operate confidently in a fast-paced startup environment where experimentation is non-linear and challenges are often novel.
• You will take ownership of protein detection, method development, and purification optimisation using Western blotting, SDS-PAGE, HPLC/FPLC, ÄKTA systems, and TFF.
• You must beMyk able to diagnose weak analytical signals, solve antibody-related problems, optimise buffer/pH systems based on protein pI, and build robust assays from scratch. Experience working with challenging recombinant proteins and a natural ability to troubleshoot is essential.
• This is an opportunity to join one of the UK’s most exciting early-stage synthetic biology company and contribute to a platform with global commercial impact in beauty, nutraceuticals, and regenerative medicine.

Key Responsibilities

You will

• • Establish efficient expression and purification systems of recombinant proteins emphasizing plant-based collagen and peptides, with a core focus on AKTA chromatography systems for high-precision isolation.
• • Design, establish and optimise expression systems for tagged/untagged recombinant collagen in plant (including transient and stable expression), algal and microbial platforms.
• • Harvest and process plant leaf biomass at laboratory and pilot scale (homogenization, clarification, removal of host cell contaminants).
• • Operate and maintain advanced purification and analytical equipment, including AKTA platforms, HPLC, LC/MS, and tangential flow filtration (TFF) for process refinement and troubleshooting.
• • Implement chromatography strategies (affinity, ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, size-exclusion) and integrate protein engineering techniques to enhance peptide stability, yield, and downstream compatibility.
• • Develop and validate analytical assays using methods like SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting, UV-Vis, HPLC, LC/MS, and SEC to assess purity, yield, integrity, and functionality.
• • Collaborate with upstream teams to integrate expression workflows, applying sharp analytical skills to identify and resolve bottlenecks for seamless end-to-end processes.
• • Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.
• • Use effective communication on a day-to-day basis, both orally and in writing.
• • Document protocols, prepare technical reports, and present data to internal teams
• and external partners, while supporting regulatory compliance through quality documentation.
• • Contribute to scaling from bench to pilot, adapting insights from microbial/plant systems to achieve >90% recovery yields in sustainable production.
• • Hold a PhD (or near completion) in protein biochemistry and structural biology Biochemical
• Engineering and Biochemistry or related field, with hands-on DSP experience for recombinant proteins (microbial or plant-based preferred.
• • Have an excellent academic track record (at least one first author publication in an expert journal).
• • Expertise in unit operations such as centrifugation, filtration (micro/ultrafiltration), precipitation, chromatography (ion-exchange, affinity), evaporation, and lyophilization.
• • Proven proficiency in AKTA-based purification, chromatography method development, and TFF systems.
• • Strong skills in analytical characterization, including HPLC and LC/MS for peptide profiling, Western Blotting for protein validation and quantification, and protein engineering for sequence optimization and expression enhancement.
• • Experience with multiple expression systems, ideally plants and/or microalgae, and exceptional analytical skills for data interpretation, statistical analysis, and process innovation.
• • Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and ability to thrive independently in a fast-paced startup, leading projects from ideation to delivery.
• • Ability to work independently and as part of a small, multidisciplinary team, including planning your own experiments, managing timelines, and contributing to joint projects.
• • Excellent organisation and project management skills, with evidence of prioritising work, maintaining accurate records, and delivering results against milestones.
• • Strong data analysis and documentation skills, including familiarity with scientific software, electronic lab notebooks, and standard office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present data clearly, write concise reports, and contribute to manuscripts, grant applications, or project proposals.
• • Sound understanding of Health & Safety and COSHH, with the ability to follow and contribute to risk assessments and laboratory best practice
• • Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK for the duration of the contract.
• • Salary: £34,308 - £42,155 with a discretionary range to £46,047 p.a. (pro rata)
• • Lead a critical technical domain in a VC-backed startup poised to disrupt a $25B+
• alternative-protein market.
• • Collaborate at our Cambridge Campus with world-class researchers in a flexible,
• innovative environment.
• • Competitive salary, pension, benefits, and professional growth opportunities.
• • Make a real impact on sustainable biotech, empowering eco-friendly solutions for beauty
• and alt-meat industry.
• • A pathway to grow into a leadership role (DSP Lead) as LeafyColl expands