Job Description

Location: Schaftenau, Austria #onsite

Role Purpose:
Our Downstream Development team is at the forefront of late-phase biopharmaceutical drug substance (DS) process development and transfer. We play a pivotal role in accelerating the delivery of innovative therapies to patients by integrating advanced modeling and data science into our workflows.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Expert to join our dynamic team with a focus on Modeling. In this role, based on your solid foundation in downstream process development you will lead initiatives that translate complex bioprocess challenges into robust mechanistic or hybrid models, delivering insights to guide experimental design and process optimization. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to embed modeling into development workflows and ensure model credibility for regulatory readiness.

Major Accountabilities:

• Translate complex biopharmaceutical process problems into robust mechanistic or hybrid models, delivering actionable insights to accelerate late phase development of downstream processes.
• Collaborate with project teams to guide experimental design and ensure efficient data generation for modeling.
• Evaluate and interpret results, draw relevant conclusions; supervise project related activities; perform complex tasks without having established procedures of downstream processes.
• Perform data wrangling, cleaning, and preprocessing to ensure high-quality datasets for modeling, Design of experiment and statistical analysis..
• Communicate effectively across organizational interfaces; lead troubleshooting and transfer of know-how to other departments or external partners.
• Build strong connections within the modeling and drug substance development community to share best practices, align workflows, and support tool rollout, including training and mentoring.
• Work closely with process experts, analytics, and data scientists in cross-functional teams to embed modeling in development workflows.
• Act as Functional Lead for DSP development projects, participate in sub-teams and contribute to overall TRD strategies and goals and support decision-making.
• Work according to appropriate standards for quality, ethics, health, safety, environment, protection and information security; lead initiatives to ensure continuous improvement; all activities have to be aligned with organizational workflows and procedures.
• Prepare scientific documents for external partners and regulatory submissions; interact with authorities as needed.
• Mentor and coach scientific associates; present results internally and contribute to publications, presentations, and patents.

Skills/Experience:

• Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess Technology, Bioinformatics, or related fields, ideally with specialization in process modelling and several years of industry experience.
• Strong foundation in process modeling (mechanistic, statistical, or hybrid approaches).
• Knowledge of DSP operations (chromatography, filtration, etc.).
• Proficiency in R or Python; experience with machine learning algorithms is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with statistical discovery software (e.g. JMP).
• Familiarity with app development frameworks (e.g. Shiny) and mathematical optimization.
• Hands-on experience in chemical/biological lab environments for data generation.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements and CMC development processes.

Languages :

• English (required)
• German (preferred but not mandatory)

In accordance with Austrian law, we are obliged to disclose the minimum salary as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. For this position the minimum salary is €59,781.96/year (on a full time basis). In most cases, the actual salary will be higher, as we strive to maintain a competitive position in the market and consider your previous experience, qualifications and individual competencies.

Adjustments for Applicants with Disabilities: If because of a medical condition, physical disability or a neurodiverse condition you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please reach out to disabilities.austria@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request as well as your contact information. The support which we can provide will include advice on suitable positions as well as guidance at all stages of the application process. Austrian law provides candidates the opportunity to involve the local disability representative, Behindertenvertrauensperson (BVP), in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.

Skills Desired