Full Job Description
Qualification Requirements
This vacancy is for students who have completed a minimum of 2 years in one of the following degrees: Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical engineering, Biochemical engineering, Biology, Chemical engineering, Molecular Biology (or similar)
This vacancy is a Undergraduate sandwich placement, this vacancy is not open to candidates who have completed their degree.
Salary - £25,000 per annum, Annual review based on performance
Benefits
- Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
- Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
- Casual dress
- Employee assistance programme
- Onsite parking
- Paid sick leave
- Days off for volunteering
- Employee recognition / awards
Location - 208 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3WE until approximately August 2026 where UCB will move to new site Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PP
UCB offers hybrid working.
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 17:30pm with one hour unpaid lunch break.
Flexible hours/working- 10:00am – 16:00pm core working hours and making up the remaining time either side of these hours.
Duration - 1 year
Start Date - 1st September 2025
Closing Date for Applications - 30th July 2025
To Apply
Please click the apply now button to submit your CV and Cover Letter. If you have any difficulty in applying, please contact us at [email protected]
Next Steps
Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email once the vacancy has closed.
The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager along with your application form to decide who is brought through to the final interview.
Job Description
UCB is currently looking for highly motivated scientists to join the BioTech Sciences department at UCB’s UK Research and Development Hub in Slough. Working within Upstream Process Sciences you will be part of team of scientists developing processes for the production of novel protein-based therapeutics for areas of unmet patient need. You will be responsible for laboratory-based activities using a range of cutting-edge scientific technologies. You will receive training in all techniques and will have your own mentor to provide help and advice during your time at UCB. You will help to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines. This represents a great opportunity to work in industry-leading laboratories at the cutting edge of drug development.
The candidate will work in a team environment, collaborating with various process scientists (upstream and downstream) and analytical scientists. The successful candidate will utilise knowledge in biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, and cellular metabolism to aid in process development and optimisation of early-stage clinical projects, process troubleshooting investigations, evaluation of cellular responses to process operations, assessment of effects on product quality, and determination of process scalability.
The position is laboratory based and will involve experimentation with bench-scale bioreactors (primarily ambr15 and ambr250 HT technologies and 10 L glass bioreactor), 50L and 200L single use bioreactors and associated disk stack centrifugation and pilot scale equipment. The candidate will apply Quality by Design (QbD) principles utilising Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology and be responsible for some planning of activities, analysing laboratory data and reporting back to project leader/line manager and team members on a regular basis. The candidate will produce accurate, traceable records of work and generated data in the eELN (electronic laboratory notebook), generating documentation for experimental reports to support technology transfer and regulatory filings (Development and Technical Report writing in English).
The candidate will also be expected to contribute to scientific development and technology development projects requiring innovative research, to improve USP and primary recovery processes and understanding. The candidate will be a proactive individual, able to demonstrate problem solving skills and have the ability to manage multiple tasks, with excellent communication skills.
About UCB
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.
UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.
Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.
UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives.
