VP Bioprocess & Innovation

Cellura is developing a new generation of bladeless 3D bioreactors based on a geo-inspired mixing principle (geo-mimicry), enabling homogeneous and ultra-gentle culture of shear-sensitive cells: iPSCs, organoids, T and NK immune cells, and microcarriers.

Following validation of major proof-of-concepts across iPSCs, MSCs, organoids, NK cells and microcarrier suspension, and first commercial sales, Cellura is now entering a pivotal phase: scientific structuring, GMP industrialisation, and preparation for a Series A fundraise.

In this context, we are looking for an exceptional senior profile, capable of taking over scientific and product leadership, structuring the R&D and bioprocess organisation, and embodying Cellura's technological credibility with investors, clients, and strategic partners.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Scientific & product leadership

• Translate biological needs (cell therapy, organoids, iPSC, NK/T cells) into physical parameters and product roadmap
• Own the end-to-end bioprocess strategy, from proof-of-concept to industrial scale-up
• Ensure alignment between scientific priorities, client needs, and product vision
• Drive design of experiments and structure reproducible, robust 3D culture protocols
• Define and implement scale-up strategies across relevant volume ranges
• Manage scientific teams and CDMO/biotech partners
• Establish process indicators, internal standards, and CMC documentation
• Anticipate GMP regulatory requirements for therapeutic markets
• Represent Cellura at leading international conferences (ISCT, TERMIS, BioProcess International, Advanced Therapies…)
• Present and defend technical data to CSOs, scientific directors, and GMP experts
• Identify and structure strategic collaborations (CDMOs, hospitals, biotechs, academic partners)
• Generate and leverage comparative data for competitive positioning

4. Investor-facing role & Future Series

• Co-build scientific and technical narratives for investor materials
• Represent Cellura's deeptech credibility during due diligence processes
• Contribute to defining technical KPIs and milestones for the Futures Series

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education & experience

• 10 to 18 years of experience, with a significant portion in an industrial or scale-up environment
• Deep, proven expertise in cell therapies (iPSC, organoids, CAR‑T, NK, MSC, allogeneic/autologous platforms)
• Mastery of bioreactors and 3D culture scale‑up challenges
• Knowledge of CMC and GMP/regulatory environments
• Background from organisations such as Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult, Ori Biotech, Miltenyi, Sartorius, Wilson Wolf, Treefrog Therapeutics, cell therapy CDMOs, or advanced therapy biotechs

Technical skills

• Expertise in 3D culture: aggregates, spheroids, suspension culture, microcarriers
• Solid understanding of physical constraints (shear stress, mass transfer, homogeneity)
• Ability to bridge bench‑scale work and industrial structuring
• Proficiency in DoE tools, data analysis, and generation of comparative datasets
• Fluent scientific English, with experience presenting at international conferences

Mindset & leadership

• Genuine seniority: comfortable holding a room in front of CSOs, investors, or regulators
• At ease in a demanding deeptech start‑up environment, with limited resources but high impact
• Natural leader, proactive, and independently driven
• Strategic vision combined with strong operational hands‑on capability
• Able to champion and defend a breakthrough technology

WHY JOIN CELLURA?

• Differentiated technology (geo-mimicry, bladeless design) with no direct competitive equivalent on the market
• Direct impact on the GMP trajectory and the Series A
• Strategic role combining scientific leadership, product innovation, and external representation
• Concrete contribution to unlocking one of the major bottlenecks in global cell bioproduction
• Pre‑fundraise compensation: €70–95k gross/year + equity access (warrants/stock options) as a member of the leadership team
• Committed founding team, high‑level scientific environment, headquartered in Marseille (Technoptic), we are open to candidates based anywhere, with periodic on‑site presence as the project requires
• Above all, we are looking for the right level of expertise and genuine motivation to contribute to a project of real significance (geography is secondary)