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Upstream Manufacturing Scientist - Job Opportunity at PE Global

Dunboyne, Ireland
Contract
Mid-level
Posted: June 25, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000-70,000 annually based on Ireland's competitive biopharmaceutical market, the specialized nature of upstream biologics manufacturing, and the requirement for 3-5 years experience in GMP environments. The contract nature may command a 15-20% premium over permanent positions.

Benefits

Weekend shift flexibility with only one weekend per month required, providing better work-life balance compared to continuous shift work
Exposure to state-of-the-art single-use manufacturing technology positioning candidates at the forefront of modern biomanufacturing
Cross-functional collaboration opportunities enhancing professional network and skill development
Access to global technical teams and knowledge exchange programs accelerating career growth
GMP regulated environment experience building valuable credentials for pharmaceutical industry advancement

Key Responsibilities

Drive critical scale-down model establishment for upstream processes, directly impacting manufacturing efficiency and product quality outcomes through strategic experimental design and execution
Lead new product introduction transfers into MS&T laboratory, serving as technical gatekeeper for successful commercialization and revenue generation
Provide specialized upstream technical support across site network, positioning as subject matter expert for complex troubleshooting and non-routine analysis
Design and execute DOE studies with comprehensive data analysis, driving evidence-based process improvements that optimize manufacturing performance
Author and review critical technical documentation including SOPs and reports, ensuring regulatory compliance and knowledge preservation
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between MS&T, quality, analytics, and regulatory teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges
Champion Lean Six Sigma methodologies and change management initiatives, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement culture
Represent MS&T organization during internal audits and external regulatory inspections, ensuring compliance and maintaining manufacturing license
Lead product robustness monitoring programs in partnership with global teams, ensuring consistent product quality across manufacturing network
Mentor and coach team members while driving innovative problem-solving approaches, building organizational capability and technical expertise

Requirements

Education

Bachelor of Science degree qualification with minimum 5 years of experience OR Master of Science degree qualification with minimum of 3 years experience OR PhD degree qualification (scientific discipline in biotechnology, biochemistry, pharmacy, process engineering or equivalent)

Experience

Minimum 3-5 years depending on degree level

Required Skills

Technical expertise with biologics drug substance upstream and downstream operations analytical testing process development and tech transfer Proven ability to work as part of a team but also on own initiative Ability to think logically and be proactive under pressure Effective communicator and deep technical expertise in science Proven ability around working cross functionally focusing on meeting and tracking to schedules and embracing an interdependent work culture Organisation Skills – Ability to manage multiple priorities and know when to escalate issues for resolution
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The biologics manufacturing sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increasing demand for monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and personalized medicine, creating sustained demand for upstream manufacturing expertise. Single-use technology adoption is accelerating across the industry as manufacturers seek to reduce contamination risks, increase flexibility, and lower capital expenditure, making experience with single-use systems highly valuable in the current market. Regulatory agencies are placing increased emphasis on process understanding and continuous manufacturing improvements, driving demand for scientists who can execute sophisticated scale-down studies and provide robust technical justification for process changes. The shift toward platform approaches in biologics manufacturing is creating opportunities for specialists who can support multiple product transfers and optimize manufacturing processes across diverse product portfolios. Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 initiatives in biomanufacturing are creating new opportunities for scientists who can integrate traditional bioprocess expertise with data analytics and automation technologies, positioning technically skilled professionals for enhanced career advancement.

Role Significance

Typically works within a MS&T team of 8-15 scientists and engineers, collaborating across manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and analytics departments with matrix reporting relationships to global technical teams.
This is a mid-level specialist position with significant technical leadership responsibilities, serving as a subject matter expert for upstream processes while supporting cross-functional teams and regulatory compliance activities. The role combines hands-on technical execution with strategic problem-solving and mentoring responsibilities.

Key Projects

Scale-down model development and validation studies for new product introductions and process improvements Process robustness assessment and optimization projects using statistical design of experiments Technical support for regulatory submissions and inspection readiness activities Cross-site knowledge transfer and manufacturing network alignment initiatives Continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in upstream bioprocessing combined with strong problem-solving abilities will be critical for troubleshooting complex manufacturing issues and supporting process improvements in a fast-paced commercial environment. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential for working effectively across multiple functional areas and representing technical positions to diverse stakeholders including regulatory agencies during inspections. Adaptability and continuous learning mindset will be crucial given the rapidly evolving nature of biologics manufacturing technology and changing regulatory expectations in the industry. Strong project management and organizational abilities will be vital for managing multiple concurrent studies while meeting tight timelines for new product introductions and process improvements.

Market Demand

High demand driven by Ireland's position as a major biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub with significant presence from global pharmaceutical companies, ongoing facility expansions, and the specialized skill set required for upstream biologics manufacturing.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Upstream bioprocess expertise is absolutely essential as this forms the core technical foundation for the role, encompassing cell culture, bioreactor operations, and process optimization methodologies that directly impact product quality and manufacturing efficiency. Cross-functional collaboration abilities are critical given the highly interdisciplinary nature of modern biomanufacturing, where success depends on effective coordination between technical, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams. Problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities are vital for addressing complex manufacturing issues that can significantly impact production schedules and product quality in commercial manufacturing environments. Technical communication skills are essential for authoring regulatory documentation, presenting technical findings to diverse audiences, and representing the organization during regulatory inspections.

Beneficial Skills

Statistical analysis and DOE expertise will become increasingly valuable as the industry moves toward more sophisticated process understanding and optimization approaches required by regulatory agencies. Lean Six Sigma knowledge provides competitive advantage in the current manufacturing environment where operational excellence and continuous improvement are key differentiators for successful organizations. Project management capabilities are highly beneficial for coordinating complex technical studies and new product introductions that involve multiple stakeholders and tight timelines. Regulatory affairs understanding enhances career prospects by providing broader perspective on how technical decisions impact commercial success and regulatory compliance.

Unique Aspects

The role offers exposure to cutting-edge single-use manufacturing technology in a multi-product facility, providing diverse technical experience across different biologics platforms and manufacturing scales.
Direct involvement in regulatory compliance activities including audit support provides valuable experience for career advancement in the highly regulated biopharmaceutical industry.
The combination of hands-on laboratory work with strategic technical leadership responsibilities offers an ideal platform for developing both technical depth and business acumen.
Access to global technical networks and knowledge exchange opportunities provides exposure to international best practices and advanced manufacturing technologies.
The 11-month contract structure offers flexibility for professionals seeking to build diverse experience across different organizations and manufacturing platforms.

Career Growth

Progression to senior technical roles typically occurs within 2-4 years with demonstrated technical excellence and leadership capabilities, while management positions may require 4-6 years of additional experience and leadership development.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Manufacturing Scientist or Principal Scientist positions with expanded technical leadership responsibilities and larger project portfolios MS&T Team Lead or Manager roles overseeing laboratory operations and technical strategy development Process Development roles in R&D organizations focusing on early-stage bioprocess optimization Technical Transfer Manager positions coordinating global manufacturing network activities Regulatory Affairs roles specializing in manufacturing and process development submissions

Company Overview

PE Global

PE Global is a well-established international recruitment consultancy with strong presence in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, particularly in Ireland and the UK. The company specializes in placing technical professionals in life sciences organizations and has developed expertise in bioprocessing and manufacturing roles.

PE Global maintains a solid reputation as a reliable recruitment partner for both multinational pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology firms, with established relationships across Ireland's extensive biopharmaceutical manufacturing network.
The company has significant presence in Ireland's pharmaceutical corridor, particularly in the Dublin region where many major biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities are located, providing access to diverse opportunities within the sector.
As a recruitment consultancy, PE Global emphasizes professional service delivery and maintains long-term relationships with both clients and candidates, focusing on career development and technical expertise matching in the specialized biopharmaceutical sector.
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