Scientist/ Senior Scientist

The Antibody Discovery & Engineering group is a unit within the Orion Biologics R&D UK-Hub whose main responsibility is to discover and develop biologics for clinical use from early research into clinical development.

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to join our interdisciplinary team focussed on therapeutic antibody engineering and design. This role combines expertise in antibody engineering techniques to advance the technology platform and support advancement of antibodies through our pipeline. 

 

Your responsibilities include the following

• Play a lead role in advancing and optimising the platform and help in the generation of novel antibody libraries.

• Provide scientific oversight of antibody architecture and format selection, including conventional antibodies, fragments, bispecific and multispecific antibodies, Fc-engineered molecules, conjugation-ready formats and other fit-for-purpose protein constructs.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with the computational sciences, protein sciences and discovery biology teams to integrate experimental design.

• Lead a small Molecular Biology team and understand and be up to date on the state of the art techniques, innovation and instrumentation in this area

• Mentor junior scientists and guide technical development, fostering innovation and best practices within the team.

• Stay at the forefront of antibody engineering technologies and scientific trends; identify and evaluate novel methods for potential adoption.

• Act as the primary point of contact for antibody and novel-format requests from research project teams, clarifying the biological question, intended use, target product profile, required format, quality attributes, timelines and decision criteria.

• Supervise generation of required reagents by enabling production either internally or externally with the CROs, technology providers and other external partners, including technical scoping, statements of work, material and data transfer, performance monitoring, troubleshooting and quality review.

•  Maintain transparent request tracking, documentation and reporting, including scope, status, decisions, risks, changes, data packages, material inventories and handover information.

•  Understand and comply with Orion Pharma safety, quality, data-integrity and regulatory policies, as well as relevant government regulations.

 

The Scientist will report to the Director of Antibody Discovery & Engineering, Orion Pharma iMeds/R&D.

Description of our organisation

Orion Pharma's Innovative Medicines activities sit within its R&D organisation, which brings together professionals across drug discovery and development. Orion R&D has offices in Espoo, Turku and Kuopio in Finland, Nottingham and Cambridge in the UK, and Boston, USA.

We offer

This opportunity is to play a key role in the Antibody Engineering group at our location in Cambridge, UK; this will be a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative scientist to take a leadership role and help build the antibody engineering team.

A highly innovative R&D pipeline and enthusiastic working environment with possibilities to use your own strengths to advance your competence and career. 

The exciting potential to innovate and have an impact on future therapies for patients.

An excellent working atmosphere based on the appreciation of colleagues, continuous development, and mutual trust. Learn more about Orion as an employer: https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.

 

Our expectations: Ph.D. in protein engineering, molecular biology or a related subject area with 3+ years of industrial experience, or a MSc with 5+ years of industrial experience in antibody discovery.

• Broad expertise and a passion for antibody engineering and a comprehensive understanding of the antibody structure/function relationship. 

• Hands-on experience with various engineered/optimized antibodies, multispecific formats designed for diverse set of Mechanisms of Action, Fc and Fab engineering etc.

• Demonstrated scientific leadership and the ability to meet performance targets and project initiatives.

• Experience with multiple antibody modalities, which may include IgG, Fab, scFv or VHH fragments, bispecific or multispecific antibodies, Fc-engineered proteins, fusion proteins, conjugation-ready molecules or conditional formats.

• Experience in one or more antibody discovery platforms (e.g. phage, mammalian, or yeast display).

• Deep knowledge of molecular biology techniques, and experience in employing automation.

• Experience with NGS both performing and leveraging the results

• Working knowledge of protein expression and purification, binding and functional assays and biophysical characterisation.

• Experience with people management.

• Ability to build positive collaborations across Research & Development, understand different stakeholder needs, manage expectations and communicate complex scientific recommendations clearly.

• Demonstrated ability to manage scientific workstreams, meet performance targets and project initiatives, and make timely decisions based on high-quality scientific data.

• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, organisational and analytical skills.

   

  #LI-ORION

   

• How to apply and additional information

• We typically review applications already during the application period and may start interviewing candidates before the application deadline. Therefore, we invite you to send your application as soon as possible.

• Please attach your CV and cover letter by 17 November 2026

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.

We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

About Orion