At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com
Job Function:
Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
Job Sub Function:
Chemical Research
Job Category:
Scientific/Technology
All Job Posting Locations:
Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium
Job Description:
Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly-based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices markets. Growing on a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our employees, committed to inclusion and proud to be an equal opportunity employer, our over 125,000 employees in 60 countries are united in a common mission: To help people everywhere live longer, healthier, happier lives.
We are seeking a Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist Chemical Process Engineering to join our growing Chemical Technology & Engineering group within Chemical Process Research & Development (CPRD). In this pivotal role, you will be part of the development team, responsible for the development of API manufacturing processes through lab-based experimental work combined with process modelling & data analysis.
Key Responsibilities:
- API Process Development: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, optimize, and scale-up processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- Lab Experimental Work guided by modelling and statistics.
- Data Analysis: Utilize PAT tools and modeling software, embracing a data-driven attitude. Interest in programming and machine learning techniques to analyze data in an API context is valued.
- Innovative Solutions: Foster innovation by scouting for new technologies and supporting digitalization efforts within R&D.
- Automation: gain hands-on experience with lab automation, including HTE equipment, dispensers, cobots, and flow chemistry platforms.
- Manufacturing Expertise: Gain deep knowledge of manufacturing processes to ensure high-quality products. Support new product launches, technology transfer, and late-stage development.
- Collaboration and Leadership: Lead initiatives in collaboration with external networks, including academic institutions and contract research organizations, while ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Encourage a culture of inclusion and teamwork within multidisciplinary teams.
Qualifications & skills:
- Education: PhD or equivalent experience in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline -eg Organic Chemistry-, with a minimum of 4 years of industrial experience in API development or manufacturing. Hands-on experience combined with modelling expertise is preferred.
- Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of chemical unit operations (reaction, distillation, crystallization, solid separation, drying) and familiarity with downscale principles and reaction engineering.
- Innovation and Technology: Familiar with PAT tools or simulation software (e.g., Dynochem, Aspen, gProms); passionate about chemical and engineering technologies.
- Data Skills: Experience with scientific programming or data science using languages such as Python, R, Julia, or Matlab is considered an advantage.
- Automation Skills: Experience or strong interest in laboratory automation within chemical R&D—such as solid and liquid handling systems, online UPLC, and robotics—is considered an asset. Familiarity with programming, workflow development, protocol validation, and driver development (using Python, C#, or .NET) is desirable but not mandatory. The selected candidate will have opportunities to develop and expand their automation expertise in this role.
- Scientific Passion: A deep interest in scientific advancements in API manufacturing and a commitment to contributing to the progress of the pharmaceutical industry.
- Team Collaboration: Strong social and communication skills with demonstrated experience in leading and collaborating within multi-functional teams in an international setting. Proficiency in English is required.
Our offer:
- Contributing to our mission to continue to bring transformational new medicines to patients.
- Being part of a motivated and experienced research team in an innovative working environment through mentoring programs, e-university and on the job training, we ensure your personal development in a global company.
- A competitive salary, on-site sport accommodations, health/energy programs and other benefits for you and your family.
- Flexible working hours (40 h/week), no fixed holiday planning with many holidays and possibility to work at home for non-laboratory related tasks.
We are looking for an innovative and experienced Senior/Principal Scientist Chemical engineer to join our Chemical Process Research & Development team. Your primary focus will be to design, develop, and optimize active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) processes. This key role involves driving process scale-up, fostering innovation, and advancing digital transformation efforts within our dynamic organization.
Your Impact:
- Develop, optimize and scale-up API processes to ensure safety, high quality, efficiency and sustainability.
- Collaborate globally with cross-functional teams and facilitate technology transfers.
- Utilize automation technologies and data analytics to optimize drug substance processes.
- Lead digital initiatives by applying tools like first principles modeling, statistical analysis, and black-box models.
What You Bring:
- PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline + 4+ years of industry experience.
- Strong expertise in chemical unit operations, reaction engineering, and process development.
- Passion for innovation, wet lab experiments, automation, and data-driven methodologies.
- Excellent leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- fluency in English.
- Ability to analyze complex datasets and clearly communicate insights to stakeholders.
- Active contributor to scientific publications and presentations, with a proven ability to build professional networks.
- Commitment to Johnson & Johnson’s Credo and Leadership principles, integrating them into team objectives and decision-making.
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
