Job Description

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 jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Pharmaceutical Product R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

J&J Innovative Medicine Research & Development develops treatments that improve the health and lifestyles of people worldwide. R&D development areas include novel targets in neurologic disorders, gastroenterology, oncology, diabetes, hematology, metabolic disorders, immunologic disorders, pulmonary hypertension and reproductive medicine.

We are seeking pioneering individuals who are passionate about advancing the field of medicine. If you are excited about the prospect of contributing to the development of groundbreaking therapeutics, this Experienced Scientist position is the perfect opportunity for you to make a significant impact on our journey. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare!

About the Department

The global Pharmaceutical Product Development and Supply (PPDS) organization is committed to advancing robust and innovative drug product solutions.

Within PPDS, we are currently seeking an Experienced Scientist in Product Development to join our team in Beerse (Antwerp), Belgium.

The Solids Development (SD) and Parenterals and Liquids Development (PLD) teams are at the forefront of innovation, developing high‑quality oral and parenteral drug product formulations and processes across our Synthetics portfolio (including small molecules, peptides, as well as emerging therapeutic modalities) from late discovery through preclinical and clinical development into commercialization.

As an Experienced Scientist at the SD-PLD interface, you will design, lead, and execute formulation and process development activities across both solid and liquid drug product platforms. In this role, you will contribute with specific focus on projects that sit at the interface between solid dosage forms and liquid or parenteral drug products, with a particular emphasis on technologies such as 3D printing, lyophilisation, and lipid-based formulations among others. You will evaluate and implement innovative technologies and processing approaches, support cross-functional collaborations, and play an essential role in shaping next-generation drug products that meet patient needs and align with our strategic objectives.

Your Impact

• Scientific & Technical Expertise
  Build and maintain strong scientific and technical expertise across the therapeutic modalities (i.e. small molecules, peptides, and beyond-the-rule-of-5 compounds) by applying solid and liquid formulation technologies (e.g., 3D printing, lyophilisation, lipid-based drug delivery systems) to ensure robust product and process development.
• Innovation & Problem-Solving
  Identify innovation, technology and IP opportunities, and translate these into patient centric solutions. Explore novel drug delivery technologies to enhance formulation robustness and improve bioavailability, manufacturability, and stability.
• Data & Predictive Modeling
  Leverage emerging digital tools to analyze data and drive effective use of predictive models to efficiently advance platform and formulation concept selection.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  Act as a Product Development functional representative within multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating closely with global development, analytical, manufacturing, and regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities

As an Experienced Scientist within the Product Development team, you will help to shape the next generation of pharmaceutical innovations and deliver high‑quality drug products across a diverse portfolio. Your responsibilities will include:

• Hands‑On Formulation Development
  Design, execute, and evaluate laboratory‑scale formulation and process development activities for solid and liquid dosage forms using a variety of unit operations (e.g., 3D printing, lyophilisation, lipid-based drug delivery systems).
• Cross‑Functional Engagement
  Partner closely with Discovery Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical & Material Sciences, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Preclinical & Clinical teams, Analytical Development, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Development, Clinical and Commercial Supply Chain, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure seamless end‑to‑end development.
• Experimental and In-Silico Evaluation
  Work with product development teams and contribute to plan, execute, and interpret development studies at lab and pilot scale. Use experimental and in-silico data to provide scientifically sound recommendations.
• Technology & Platform Development
  Contribute to optimize existing formulation and processing platforms. Participate in evaluating and screening external technologies with potential to strengthen capabilities and product performance.
• Documentation & Knowledge Capture
  Document experimental procedures, results, and scientific rationale in electronic lab notebooks, technical reports, protocols, batch records, and regulatory submission sections. Contribute to scientific publications, patents, and internal decision‑making.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
  Comply with applicable regulatory expectations, data integrity principles, GLP/GMP practices, and safety requirements.

What We Seek:

We are looking for dynamic individuals with a robust background in drug product formulation and process development. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• Educational Background: A Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological or Physical Sciences, or a related field, with preferably 1 year of relevant industry experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree in relevant fields with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• Formulation Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency and hands-on experience in formulation design and/or process development, with sound knowledge of physical pharmacy principles and pharmaceutical unit operations. A background in advanced drug delivery technologies (e.g. 3D printing, lipid-based drug delivery systems) is advantageous.
• Pre-Formulation and Characterization Knowledge: Familiarity with pre-formulation activities and physico-chemical characterization of APIs and final drug products.
• Data and Predictive Modeling: Openness to utilizing modern digital tools and systems to support structured data capturing, process tracking, data-analysis, and predictive modeling to guide formulation development.
• Mindset and Communication: Strong innovation mindset, critical thinking skills and problem-solving capability. Excellent oral/written communication and ability to work in collaborative, cross-functional and external partnership contexts.
• Willingness to Travel: A readiness to engage in international travel, approximately 5-15% of the time.

Why JJIM:

Our offer:

• Dynamic International Environment: Embark on an exciting journey in a dynamic and international setting that promotes continuous learning and growth opportunities.
• Comprehensive Drug Discovery and Development: Work at a site that encompasses all facets of the drug discovery and development process, conveniently located near the vibrant city of Antwerp.
• Attractive Compensation and Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary package, along with on-site sports facilities, health and energy programs, and additional benefits for you and your family.
• Inclusive Team Culture: Become part of an inclusive team environment where diversity and different perspectives are respected and valued, and where a healthy work-life balance is prioritized.

Join us to make a meaningful impact in the field of pharmaceutical innovation while advancing your career in a supportive and engaging workplace!

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Analytical Reasoning, Clinical Data Management, Collaborating, Data Savvy, Drug Discovery Development, Emerging Technologies, Innovation, Laboratory Experiments, Market Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Product Development, Product Strategies, Project Management, Report Writing, Scientific Research, Standard Scientific Processes and Procedures, Technologically Savvy, Use of Laboratory Equipment

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

€60,000.00 - €96,255.00

Benefits:

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.