Head of Bioreactor Scale-Up, Upstream Modeling
Position Summary
A global biologics manufacturing organization is seeking a Head of Bioreactor Scale-Up, Upstream Modeling to lead a specialized team responsible for process scale-up modeling within the upstream process development function. This role combines deep technical ownership with people leadership and is suited to an individual who wants to remain hands-on in science while guiding a small expert team.
The Head of will be responsible for defining and driving scale-up strategies for mammalian and microbial processes, ensuring robust transfer from development scale to large-scale manufacturing. The position will also own the continued development of a proprietary scale-up model and help shape the future direction of modeling tools and methodologies.
This is a highly technical leadership opportunity for someone with strong expertise in bioreactor scale-up, engineering principles, and process modeling, combined with the ability to communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external customers.
Role Scope
The Head of Bioreactor Scale-Up, Upstream Modeling will lead a small specialist team currently consisting of approximately 2.5 FTEs, within a broader upstream process development group of around 26–28 professionals. The team supports complex biologics programs and plays a critical role in translating laboratory processes into scalable and manufacturable operations.
The role reports to the Director of Process Science and is expected to contribute both to current project delivery and to the future growth of the scale-up modeling capability. As demand increases, the team is expected to expand further.
This is not a large people-management role. It is best suited to a technically driven leader who wants to spend the majority of their time on scientific and engineering challenges while also mentoring and aligning a small team.
Key Responsibilities
The Manager will be expected to:
- Lead and provide technical direction to a specialized team focused on upstream process scale-up modeling
- Define and execute the strategy for the company’s proprietary scale-up model
- Drive the continued development and modernization of the modeling platform, including transition from Excel/VBA to Python
- Act as the key decision-maker for the modeling team and unify technical approaches across projects
- Serve as a subject matter expert on customer programs involving process transfer and scale-up
- Support successful scale-up from small-scale development systems to large-scale bioreactors up to 20,000L
- Provide expertise in bioreactor characterization, mixing strategies, gassing strategies, and engineering fundamentals relevant to process scale-up
- Interface directly with customers and present, explain, and defend modeling strategies and conclusions
- Collaborate with internal technical teams to support robust process development and transfer
- Supervise, coach, and develop team members
- Help create technical alignment within an international team with different scientific perspectives
- Contribute to the future expansion of the modeling capability across a broader global network
Technical Focus
This role requires strong theoretical and practical understanding of upstream process scale-up and modeling. The successful candidate will be expected to bring expertise in:
- Mammalian and/or microbial process development
- Bioreactor scale-up principles
- Bioreactor characterization
- Mixing and gassing strategies
- Hydrodynamics and mass transfer
- Process modeling and simulation, including CFD or similar approaches
- Mathematical and engineering equations underlying bioprocess scale-up
- Translation of development processes into large-scale manufacturing settings
The role requires someone who can move comfortably between scientific depth, engineering logic, and practical application in a project-driven environment.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Ph.D. or Master’s degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, life sciences, or a related field
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development involving mammalian and/or microbial cell cultures
- Deep understanding of process scaling principles and bioreactor engineering
- Hands-on experience with process modeling, such as CFD modeling or related simulation tools
- Strong knowledge of the mathematical principles behind scale-up and modeling
- Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language such as Python, R, or MATLAB
- Ability to provide technical direction in complex development programs
Preferred
- Experience with Python, especially in relation to technical tool development or migration
- Previous customer-facing experience
- Experience in a CDMO or similarly complex multi-product environment
- Prior leadership or team management experience
