Job Description

The Biologics CMC group is a unit within the newly established Orion Biologics R&D UK Center whose main responsibility is to discover and develop biologics for clinical use from early research into clinical development and launch.


Orion Pharma is establishing a new Biologics Research & Development Center in the vibrant biomedical ecosystem of Cambridge, UK. The Biologics R&D Center represents a central piece in the long-term vision of expansion into biologics modalities by Orion Pharma. The Center's mission is to accelerate the company's biologics research and development efforts.


The Biologics R&D Center will complement Orion's existing R&D efforts in Finland, where the company was founded in 1917. Currently, Orion possesses all of the functional capabilities necessary for small molecule discovery and development in Finland. Orion's expansion into Cambridge, UK marks a pivotal step in building future innovative biologics treatments, including multi-specific antibodies, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR-T).


Independently of geography, Orion Pharma is committed to upholding key Nordic values. The company has created a culture of straightforward and honest interactions, and its management emphasizes the balance of professional and home life, leading to happier and motivated employees. This motivation is key to meeting the company's bold mission of becoming a powerhouse of biologics discovery and development.


We are seeking a highly motivated Purification Research Associate/Senior Research Associate to establish and support Orion Pharma's purification platform. This role will be pivotal in supporting a growing and dynamic pipeline of biologics with a focus on delivering high-quality material for downstream analytics, functional testing, and eventually clinical development.

Your responsibilities include the following:

Execute purification protocols for recombinant antibodies, antigens, ADC and CAR-T components using techniques such as affinity chromatography (e.g., Protein A/G/L), ion exchange (IEX), SEC, and HIC. Support the development and optimisation of purification workflows, including buffer preparation and method troubleshooting. Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records by documenting purification conditions and observations in lab notebooks, and ensure SOPs are regularly updated and current. Perform routine protein quality assessments using SDS-PAGE, UV spectroscopy, HPLC, and other analytical tools. Track and analyse purification data, helping to identify trends and support decision-making within the purification team. Contribute to laboratory maintenance, including calibration of instruments, inventory management, and ensuring proper operation of purification equipment (e.g., AKTA systems). Work collaboratively with colleagues across functions (Antibody Expression, Analytical, Antibody Discovery and Engineering, Functional Biology) to support project timelines and goals. Participate in team meetings and discussions, sharing experimental results and contributing ideas to improve workflows and problem-solving. Comply with all safety and quality standards, following internal SOPs and maintaining a clean, organized work environment.
This position will report to the Head of Antibody Purification and Analytics within Orion Pharma's iMeds/R&D organization.

Description of our organization

Orion Pharma's Innovative Medicines are within its R&D organization. The organization employs top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. There are around 400 professionals working in R&D. In addition to Cambridge, UK Biologics R&D Center, Orion R&D has offices in Espoo, Turku and Kuopio in Finland, in Nottingham, UK, and in New York, NY, USA.

We offer

This opportunity is to contribute to development of manufacturing cell lines within the Biologics CMC team at our new location in Cambridge, UK; this will be a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic antibody scientist to help further establish and advance a stable CHO cell line generation technology while we build a state-of-the-art Biologics powerhouse within Orion Pharma iMeds/R&D.


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:

A BSc or MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related life science discipline, with relevant laboratory experience in industry (2+ years) or from academic research (4+ years).


Hands-on experience in purification of antibodies and recombinant proteins, employing techniques such as Protein A/G/L affinity and ion exchange (IEX) chromatography, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Familiarity with complex biologics such as bispecific or multispecific antibodies and ADC constructs is advantageous. Understanding of basic downstream processing principles and interest in learning about process development and developability assessment for biologics. General knowledge of antibody structure-function relationships and how they can affect purification and stability is desirable. Basic experience with protein characterisation techniques, such as SDS-PAGE, UV spectrophotometry, or HPLC; exposure to more advanced methods like CE-SDS, SEC-MALS, or LC-MS is a plus. Demonstrated ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintain detailed laboratory records, and contribute to data reporting and interpretation. Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional research environment. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining high standards of lab safety, data integrity, and reproducibility.

How to apply and additional information

If this opportunity excites you, we encourage you to apply! Please submit your cover letter and CV by August 22, 2025.


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.


#LI-ORION

Unit description

Orion Pharma's Innovative Medicines are within its R&D organization. The organization employs top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. There are around 400 professionals working in R&D. In addition to Cambridge, UK Biologics R&D Center, Orion R&D has offices in Espoo, Turku and Kuopio in Finland, in Nottingham, UK, and in New York, NY, USA.