Scientist – Solid State Sciences & Characterization (Temporary role) Full-time

Scientist – Solid State Sciences & Characterization (Temporary Role)

Location: Beerse, Belgium

Organization: Solid State Sciences & Characterization – Pharmaceutical & Material Sciences (P&MS) – Pharmaceutical Product Development and Supply (PPDS)

Job Summary:

The Scientist in Solid State Sciences & Characterization provides hands-on scientific support and technical leadership in the characterization, understanding, and control of solid-state properties of drug substances and drug products. The role focuses on solid form screening, characterization, and interpretation of solid-state data to support discovery, early development, and clinical programs, working closely with cross-functional partners across Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP). The position requires strong laboratory execution, data interpretation, and scientific communication skills, with increasing ownership of studies and contributions to project teams.

This position is offered as a temporary role with an initial duration of 24 months; depending on business needs, performance, and organizational opportunities, there may be potential for continuation beyond this period.

Key Responsibilities:

Solid State Characterization & Screening:

• Design and execute solid form screening and characterization studies, including polymorphs, salts, co-crystals, and amorphous systems.
• Apply and interpret solid-state analytical techniques such as XRPD, DSC/TGA, DVS, spectroscopy, microscopy, and related methods.
• Conduct physical stability and stress tests (ICH/non-ICH) to evaluate robustness and risk.

Data Interpretation & Scientific Reporting:

• Analyze, integrate, and interpret solid-state data to support form selection, risk assessment, and development decisions.
• Author clear technical reports, study summaries, and project documentation suitable for internal decision making and regulatory use.
• Present findings in project team meetings and scientific forums.

Crystallization & Process Interface:

• Support small-scale crystallization and solvent/condition screening in collaboration with crystallization and chemical development partners.
• Contribute solid-state insight to process understanding, manufacturability, and downstream formulation considerations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Discovery Pharmaceutics, Drug Product Development, Analytical Development, and Chemical Development to ensure alignment between solid-state properties and product performance.
• Actively contribute to project teams, providing timely and scientifically sound solid-state input.

Scientific Development & Innovation:

• Maintain awareness of emerging solid-state methodologies, automation, miniaturization, and data-driven approaches (e.g. informatics, modeling).
• Contribute to method development, workflow improvements, and knowledge sharing within the Solid-State Sciences group.
• Apply solid-state principles to advanced modalities, including peptides and other complex or beyond-rule-of-five compounds.

Required Qualifications:

Education: MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• Relevant industrial or academic experience in solid-state science and characterization, typically 2–6 years, gained through a combination of academic training and/or industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with solid-state analytical techniques (XRPD, thermal analysis, spectroscopy, DVS, microscopy).

Technical Skills:

• Strong experimental and data interpretation skills in solid-state chemistry.
• Familiarity with polymorphism, crystallization, phase behavior, and physical stability concepts.

Soft Skills:

• Clear scientific communication (written and oral).
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrix project teams.
• Organized, proactive, and scientifically curious mindset.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have:

• Experience with high-throughput screening, miniaturized experiments, or automation.
• Exposure to solid-state informatics, crystallography, or modeling tools.
• Experience in supporting early development programs through solid-state characterization and data-driven decision making.

Required 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