Description
Associate Scientist – Process Development
JnJ Innovative Medicines is committed to developing first-in-class or best-in-class medication for some of the world’s most life-threatening diseases. In Leiden, we have a workforce of 350 scientists and support staff. We partner with many of the world’s leading experts, academic and clinical institutions and other pharmaceutical companies for the early development of production processes.
In our organization entrepreneurial people are working in a dynamic culture in which innovation and a 'can do' state of mind are the central points. In order to strengthen our team we are continuously looking for enthusiastic, talented people who have the ambition to develop themselves and can be of value to JnJ Innovative Medicines.
The Process Development department is responsible for the development of scalable, pharmaceutical-grade production processes. The main focus is early development of the process-steps from seeds up to and including purification. Novel technologies are used to make sure that the processes are safe, reliable, scalable and cost-effective, so that the vaccines can be produced in large quantities at low costs. The developed production processes are transferred into GMP production facilities for the production of clinical batches and scaled-up for commercial production. All activities are performed in close collaboration with other departments.
We are looking for a motivated Associate Scientist within the field of purification process development. Under limited supervision, but as part of a team you will plan, prepare and execute scientific studies. Typical unit operations include filtration, chromatography and UF/DF. Experiments may be performed on pilot scale or in reduced-scale models. You work accurately and you are a team player with excellent communicational skills. You are able to lead and define studies, co-write study plans and reports. You can collect and interpret the data retrieved from the experiments. You have at least 2 years of experience with the purification experiments.
Job description
We are looking for a motivated Associate Scientist of the Process Development department. In this role, you ensure a smooth operation of the activities of the team. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Working with the team to ensuring smooth and timely execution of experiments on lab & pilot scale to meet project demands, this includes managing ordering of raw materials, equipment, planning resources and sample analysis
- Leading and defining studies and writing related study plans and study reports
- Performing experiments at lab scale and pilot scale
- Identify improvements and take the initiative to execute these identified opportunities compromising the execution of scientific experiments
- Ensure and maintain the proper EHS&S and Quality standard of the team
- Support cross departmental collaboration with other departments (GMP pilot plant and Commercial production facility), ensuring optimal (operational) knowledge sharing and assuring aligned process execution on all scales
Qualifications
Qualifications
- BSc/MSc in chemical engineering, microbiology or similar life science related field with minimum of 3 years of hands-on operational experience (lab and pilot scale)
- Experience with defining studies, writing study plans and reports
- Proven project lead skills
- Knowledge of and experience of working with BSL-levels
- Ability to work under close supervision in the delivery of assigned research and/or analytic tasks and activities
- Independently perform routine and complex purification operations, including chromatography and filtration.
- Strong understanding of chromatography techniques (AKTA), filtration, and other purification methods.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and implement solutions.
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in data recording.
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
The most important competences for this position are:
- Pragmatic and independent
- Demonstrated communication capabilities and the ability to lead by example
- Create and sustain a safe environment in the lab
- Troubleshooting and decision making in various activities in the lab
- Quality, efficiency, accuracy and reliability of work
- Affinity with continuous innovations needed to improve the efficiency of business processes
- Experience with automation systems like BSI, eLN and data-structure
- Experience with writing of Unicorn-methods to execute early development chromatography experiments