BBI exists to help our customers create advances that improve health and save lives. We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to join our team. This is a permanent, full-time position based at our site in Crumlin. Join our team: advancing health, together.
The Role
The senior R&D Scientist is responsible for designing and executing experiments while providing technical guidance across research and development projects focused on recombinant protein production, including enzymes, antibodies, and antigens. The role requires deep expertise in molecular biology, cell fermentation, and protein expression and purification, applied throughout the project lifecycle. In addition to hands-on experimental work, the scientist collaborates closely with cross-functional R&D experts across specialized technologies and applications, contributing to integrated project delivery and knowledge sharing.
In this role your responsibilities will include:
1. 1.Experimental Work & Project Delivery
2. Independently plan, execute, analyse, and document R&D experiments across expression, fermentation, purification, and analytical workflows.
3. Establish and optimise expression protocols for new target proteins, including DNA cloning, construct design, microbial expression setup, and culture optimisation at relevant scales.
4. Develop and optimise purification processes for antigens and proteins using chromatographic and other separation techniques.
5. Demonstrate capability to scale up and/or tech‑transfer purification processes using scalable TFF and chromatography systems.
6. Conduct proof‑of‑concept studies, DOE experiments, and troubleshooting activities to support project progression.
7. Perform in‑process inspection of intermediate and final R&D products.
8. 2. Analytical Methods & Laboratory Excellence
9. Maintain proficiency in all in‑house analytical methods, including SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, protein quantification, stability testing (e.g., Tycho), and capillary electrophoresis where applicable.
10. Establish and familiarise the team with new laboratory methods and technologies.
11. Maintain departmental protocols and ensure accurate, compliant documentation of all experimental data and batch performance.
12. Prepare technical reports, presentations, and summaries for internal and external meetings.
13. 3. Design Control & Quality Compliance
14. Prepare and maintain Design History Files in accordance with ISO13485 Design Control requirements.
15. Ensure all project documentation, records, and workflows comply with BBI’s Design Control and Quality Management System.
16. Support product transfers and maintain clear, traceable documentation throughout development.
17. Complete tasks within BBI’s quality systems (e.g., eQMS, X3, BBI Time) and contribute to continuous improvement of the QMS.
18. 4. People Management & Training
19. Line‑manage R&D Scientists and Technical Assistants, providing guidance in the laboratory on experiments and workflows, support, and performance oversight.
20. Ensure cross‑training within the team and completion of required training modules to demonstrate competence.
21. Support the development of a high‑performing, collaborative laboratory culture.
22. 5. Equipment, Facilities & Safety
23. Perform and supervise maintenance, servicing, qualification, calibration, and monitoring of laboratory equipment.
24. Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and all relevant SOPs.
25. Contribute to general laboratory operations and broader business activities as required.
26. 6. Cross‑Functional & Customer Support
27. Support Sales, Marketing, and other departments with technical enquiries, new technical leads, and proposal development.
28. Participate in customer meetings and co‑host site visits as required.
29. Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders across R&D, QC, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
You should apply if:
30. Experienced Scientist with a degree based in cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology or Immunology (related subjects may also be acceptable).
31. Experience in Life science, IVD or medical industry
32. PhD/ Master’s level
33. Knowledge and Experience
34. Purification technologies for proteins, including antigens, antibodies and enzymes.
35. Ability to author SOP’s/ reports
36. Downstream purification and transfer to regular production
37. Line management experience desirable.
Our Recruitment Process
If this role sounds like it’s for you, click ‘apply’ today. Once we’ve received your application, a member of our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange a call. On this call, we’ll be able to tell you a lot more about working here at BBI Solutions, how ‘a day in the life’ of this position looks and discuss the next stages of the recruitment process.
If you are an internal employee applying for this vacancy you and your manager are required to complete an internal transfer form. This needs to be completed in full and attached to your application along with your CV and cover letter.
As part of career development and succession planning internal applicants will receive priority consideration initially, please ensure that you apply within the initial two-week period to support this.
Why Choose BBI
We are committed to promoting and protecting the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of all our employees. With our employees focused on others, we’re focused on them. That’s why, at BBI, we’re dedicated to providing our employees with access to global resources and site-specific benefits that support their health and wellbeing.
38. Competitive Salary with Yearly Salary Reviews
39. 5% Contributory Pension Scheme
40. Life Assurance (4x Annual Salary)
41. Private Health Care Scheme – including dental
42. Global Employee Wellbeing Programme
43. Reward and Recognition Programme
44. Commitment to Career Development
45. Generous Annual Leave Package
46. Cycle to Work Scheme
47. Refer A Friend Scheme
48. Subsidised Canteen
49. Free Onsite Parking
50. Electrical Vehicle Lease Scheme
51. Electrical Charging Points
52. State of the Art Facilities – Certified Centres of Excellence
We’re also focused on development, creating an environment that allows our employees to nurture their talent and empowers you to make a difference. This is achieved by providing our employees with access to learning opportunities to help achieve personal career goals.
About BBI
For more than 70 years, we’ve been perfecting reagents, both native and recombinant, to help IVD and life-science teams turn breakthrough ideas into reliable, life-saving advances.
Great products are only the start. From troubleshooting tricky performance issues and customising reagents to meeting new regulatory standards, our scientists work to clear obstacles and accelerate progress. That’s why we continue to invest millions in new recombinant capabilities that help create diagnostics that improve health and save lives - in a more ethical and sustainable way than ever before.
Equal Opportunities
BBI are an equal opportunity employer and believe in fair treatment for all candidates. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, gender expression, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We ask that all applicants complete an equal opportunity monitoring form on a voluntary basis, with all submissions remaining anonymous. The information on the form will be used for monitoring purposes only and will not be used in any decision affecting you.
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Please note that we reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time upon securing a suitable candidate.